Child Law Legal Services
Child Law Solicitors in Gloucestershire
The breakdown of any relationship can be extremely distressing, especially when children are involved. There are many important arrangements to consider, such as where children will live, how much time they spend with each parent or decisions on upbringing including education and religion.
We have been working in family law for many years, and in our experience reaching a jointly agreed arrangement, either by negotiation or through mediation, will be in the best interests for all involved, and most importantly, in the best interests of the children. Avoiding the Family court, if possible, will keep costs down, speed up the process, and is more likely to lessen the conflict between separating couples. Whilst avoiding court assistance is not always possible, seeking legal advice early on, can help you and your family find the most suitable route.
For help on Child law matters, you can call our family lawyers at our Gloucester office on 01452 521286, our Cheltenham office on 01242 264998, email us at lawyers@langleywellington.co.uk or make an online enquiry.
Child Arrangement Lawyers
Our dedicated family law team have decades of experience in child law between them, providing legal advice and services on a broad spectrum of legal matters relating to children and child disputes. Our expert child law lawyers can help on a wide range of matters and disputes relating to children, including:
- Parental Responsibility Order – ensure that you are involved in important decisions concerning your child’s education, health and welfare.
- Child Arrangements Order – To determine where your child will live and how much time they will spend with each parent/guardian.
- Change of Name and Adoption – Change your child’s name or assistance with Adoption procedure.
- International or internal Relocation – Dealing with children moving abroad or to another area of the country.
- Child Maintenance – funding for children following a separation or divorce in certain exceptional circumstances.
When it comes to looking after children, the law is complex and what is needed is a legal team that is sensitive to children’s needs, and which has the experience to achieve the best outcome. Every childcare case is unique and can involve so many different interests – from the parents, to the legal guardians – to the local authorities.
We will work with you and other parties involved to try and find a jointly agreed arrangement, avoiding the assistance of the family courts if possible. However, we will be on hand to guide you through the court process if an agreement cannot be reached.
Complex Child Law Disputes
When there are more serious issues involved or a breakdown of communication causes fractious disputes, it is vital you seek early advice from a family lawyer with experience in this complex area of law. Our experienced family law team, work with parents, guardians and local authorities on a wide range of complex disputes regarding children, including:
- Child Abduction issues
- Local Authority Care Matters
- Special Guardianship Orders
- Grandparents contact – grandparents are prevented from seeing their grandchildren following a separation of the parents
- Prohibited Steps Order – resolve a dispute about upbringing, including being taken from you to live elsewhere in England or abroad.
- Specific Issue Order – Resolve a specific point of dispute about parental responsibility, including issues surrounding education for example
- Disputes between same-sex parents
- Surrogacy disputes
- Disputes involving transgender parents
Social Services
At Langley Wellington LLP cases involving child protection agencies and social services are safe in our hands. Please get in touch, our friendly staff are ready to offer support and advice today.
We realise how difficult Court proceedings involving children and social services are for parents to have to go through, but our dedicated childcare solicitors care deeply about doing the right thing in each case. Their legal expertise and experience will be invaluable in representing you.
How Langley Wellington help
Seeking expert legal advice from a family law lawyer is the best way to ensure that disputes can be settled early on or agreements reached in the most amicable way possible. Our team of family lawyers will help you understand your legal rights and find a solution that is in the best interest for you and your children.
Regardless of the complexity of your situation, Langley Wellington can provided tailored legal advice and assistance in relation to child law matters and any other related legal issues.
For legal advice on child law matters you can call us on 01452 521286, email us at lawyers@langleywellington.co.uk or make an online enquiry.
Other Legal Services
We can also provide specialist legal advice on other areas of law that may be relevant when you are dealing with a family law matter, such Wills, Lasting Powers of Attorney, Estate Management, and Conveyancing.
Get in Touch
To find out more about our Family Law Services or to speak with our team, call us or enquire online. We have two offices in Cheltenham (01242 264998) and Gloucester (01452 521286) or you can contact us here.
Our Fees
You can choose to be charged for the time actually spent on your case, or in suitable cases, we provide a series of fixed-fee packages that can help you better understand what is required for your case and manage the costs. Some of the fixed fee costs we can offer include:
Initial Consultation We can meet with you to provide you with initial advice and to discuss the options and the way forward with regard to your case for a fixed fee of £75 plus VAT, for a 30 minute appointment.
If you want to start divorce proceedings/dissolution proceedings with regard to a civil partnership. We can deal with your divorce/ dissolution of civil partnership on the basis that it is undefended for a fixed fee of £600 plus VAT and the court fees which are currently £593. The fee covers us meeting with you to take instructions and to prepare the necessary paperwork, we will go on record at court for you and keep you updated by telephone, letter, and email.
Other fixed fee services include:
• Pre-Nuptial/Post Nuptial Agreement £1,500 + VAT
• Cohabitation/Separation Agreements £1,000 + VAT
• Consent Order £850 + VAT
The fee does not cover advice and assistance with regard to issues concerning children, financial matters, or domestic abuse. We are happy to assist in those areas, and can discuss the cost of doing so with you.
If you decide to take up this Fixed Fee Package, then the total sum is payable in advance for starting work.
FAQs
Can a parent stop a child from seeing the other parent?
If you have genuine safeguarding concerns and believe the children are at risk of harm in the care of the other parent or guardian, then in certain circumstances, you can exercise your parental responsibility to prevent contact immediately. However, that is not a step to be taken lightly, and you must have legitimate concerns. We can advise you about whether that is the best option in your circumstances.
Can you get a child arrangement order without going to court?
You can apply for a Child Arrangements Order to the Court by consent if you have reached an agreement with the other parent/guardian, however, the Court may still list a Hearing to ensure that they are satisfied with the proposed arrangements and that you understand the implications.
How long is a Child Arrangement Order valid for?
It is usual for a Child Arrangements Order to last until the child reaches the age of 16; however, it can be longer in certain circumstances. It can also be varied upon application to the Court.
What is a typical child arrangement order?
That is entirely dependent upon circumstances, and there is no such “typical” order as it is child focused and whatever is in the child’s best interest. The Court’s first consideration is the welfare of the child, and there is a checklist of factors that the Court will consider.
What is the most common child custody arrangement?
This depends on what is in the best interests of your children. We can advise you about the likely outcome based on your circumstances. It is worth noting that there is a presumption that there should be involvement from each of the parents in a child’s life.
Who pays court costs in child custody uk?
The default position in Children Act proceedings is for each party to meet their legal costs, and whoever makes the application will be liable for the Court fees.
How can we help?
Our Fees
You can choose to be charged for the time actually spent on your case, or in suitable cases, we provide a series of fixed-fee packages that can help you better understand what is required for your case and manage the costs. Some of the fixed fee costs we can offer include:
Initial Consultation We can meet with you to provide you with initial advice and to discuss the options and the way forward with regard to your case for a fixed fee of £75 plus VAT, for a 30 minute appointment.
If you want to start divorce proceedings/dissolution proceedings with regard to a civil partnership. We can deal with your divorce/ dissolution of civil partnership on the basis that it is undefended for a fixed fee of £600 plus VAT and the court fees which are currently £593. The fee covers us meeting with you to take instructions and to prepare the necessary paperwork, we will go on record at court for you and keep you updated by telephone, letter, and email.
Other fixed fee services include:
• Pre-Nuptial/Post Nuptial Agreement £1,500 + VAT
• Cohabitation/Separation Agreements £1,000 + VAT
• Consent Order £850 + VAT
The fee does not cover advice and assistance with regard to issues concerning children, financial matters, or domestic abuse. We are happy to assist in those areas, and can discuss the cost of doing so with you.
If you decide to take up this Fixed Fee Package, then the total sum is payable in advance for starting work.
FAQs
Can a parent stop a child from seeing the other parent?
If you have genuine safeguarding concerns and believe the children are at risk of harm in the care of the other parent or guardian, then in certain circumstances, you can exercise your parental responsibility to prevent contact immediately. However, that is not a step to be taken lightly, and you must have legitimate concerns. We can advise you about whether that is the best option in your circumstances.
Can you get a child arrangement order without going to court?
You can apply for a Child Arrangements Order to the Court by consent if you have reached an agreement with the other parent/guardian, however, the Court may still list a Hearing to ensure that they are satisfied with the proposed arrangements and that you understand the implications.
How long is a Child Arrangement Order valid for?
It is usual for a Child Arrangements Order to last until the child reaches the age of 16; however, it can be longer in certain circumstances. It can also be varied upon application to the Court.
What is a typical child arrangement order?
That is entirely dependent upon circumstances, and there is no such “typical” order as it is child focused and whatever is in the child’s best interest. The Court’s first consideration is the welfare of the child, and there is a checklist of factors that the Court will consider.
What is the most common child custody arrangement?
This depends on what is in the best interests of your children. We can advise you about the likely outcome based on your circumstances. It is worth noting that there is a presumption that there should be involvement from each of the parents in a child’s life.
Who pays court costs in child custody uk?
The default position in Children Act proceedings is for each party to meet their legal costs, and whoever makes the application will be liable for the Court fees.
Our Family Law Team
The family law team will be happy to speak with you regarding all areas of family law, cohabitation, and child law legal matters.
You can find out more about our team by clicking on the links below.
Contact our Solicitors
Langley Wellington is a forward-thinking law firm acting for clients nationwide. Whatever your legal requirements, we are here to help.
Get in touch with our Solicitors today. Call one of our offices on the numbers provided below, or fill out our contact form here.
Gloucester Office: 01452 521 286
Cheltenham Office: 01242 269 998
