Sometimes, the child arrangements you’ve agreed on with an ex-partner might not work out. It’s important to know how to navigate this so everyone involved can move forward. The primary goal should always be to put your child’s best interests first.
Understanding your rights and responsibilities
Knowing your rights and responsibilities in this instance is important.
If a child is born while both parents are married, it means both are legally recognised as having all the rights and responsibilities for bringing them up. This means that both parents need to be consulted when it comes to their upbringing, whether this involves their education or health.
If the parents weren’t married, the mother would have this responsibility. However, parental responsibility can also be given to the father after they are named on the birth certificate or if they’ve signed a parental responsibility agreement. If the father doesn’t have responsibility at the time of applying for a Child Arrangement Order, the Court will decide whether to grant them parental responsibility. This decision will be made based on the child’s best interests.
When determining your child’s arrangements, there are several options. Mediation is one option and if this doesn’t work, seeking a child arrangements order is another. The Court finalises the order based on what is best for the child’s best interests. The outcome is final unless you apply to vary or discharge it later down the line.
Communicating effectively
Communication is essential for a healthy separation – and particularly when children are involved. There are several reasons why you might want to change your child’s arrangements. Naturally, circumstances change, especially as the child gets older.
If you feel that the current arrangements aren’t working out for your child or for your routine, which is therefore hindering your ability to support your child effectively, then make sure you voice this.
If you find you can’t resolve these issues yourself, there are other methods to consider. Some parents find that mediation and other collaborative approaches are effective ways to improve the existing child arrangements. This involves a neutral third party, like Katherine Miller, helping to assist these discussions.
Revisiting your child’s arrangements
If you want to change your child arrangements order, you can apply to vary or discharge it. This can be done by those with parental responsibility for the child. The court will still take the child’s welfare into account above all else.
If you don’t have an order in place, you can negotiate between yourselves or consider mediation.
Seeking professional help
Don’t be afraid to seek professional help, especially if you want to change a court order. By liaising with an experienced divorce lawyer you could reach better arrangements that work for you and your child.
Family lawyers are there to help parents resolve child arrangement disputes with a professional approach that still offers the level of empathy required. Having legal representation can also provide peace of mind if your ex-partner is being difficult. The goal, after all, is to reach a fair resolution that allows your child to be brought up comfortably and with the best support possible.
Additional considerations
Certain challenges can make child arrangements more complex – and it’s in these instances that you may be thankful for specialist support.
Relocation can disturb the peace in an existing set-up for example, so knowing your rights in this scenario is important. Similarly, you may be facing contact difficulties or in serious incidences, there may be risks of child abduction.
If you’d like to speak to a specialist divorce lawyer, then reach out to a reputable family law firm today. Finding the right legal support can improve the situation for everyone involved and help you achieve a better outcome for your child.
