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How To Make A Child Arrangement Plan After Divorce

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Divorce is reputed to be among life’s most stressful events. The irretrievable breakdown of a marriage or civil partnership, with many associated (and often conflicting) emotions, can be intensely difficult for both parties; however, when the arrangements for children are involved, it’s vital to remain focused and rational to ease their suffering and establish clear guidelines for their future care.

At Astle Paterson, our divorce and family solicitors in Burton on Trent can help you find a solution to your child arrangements situation that puts the needs of your children first. So, what are the main principles of making a child arrangement plan after divorce?

Try To Reach An Early Agreement

If both parents agree about the arrangements for child arrangements, formulating a parenting plan is the simplest solution. Arrangements can be recorded in a document that outlines all parties’ responsibilities so that everyone is required to play their part in caring for and bringing up your children.

If the parents wish for the parenting plan to be legally binding, child arrangements solicitors can help to draw up an agreement, known as a consent order, which will detail:

Where the child/children will live.
When they will spend time with each parent.
What types of other contact, such as phone calls, may take place.

A court will sign the consent order to make it legally binding.

If You Cannot Come To An Agreement: Mediation

An impartial mediator can play an important part in helping divorcing parents reach an agreement about childcare arrangements. The mediator will not provide relationship counselling: the role is purely to help the parents agree on practical arrangements regarding their children, such as who they are to live with, who will provide care during school holidays, and whether maintenance payments will be made.

After mediation, the agreed arrangements will be stipulated in an informal document which can then be converted to a consent order by a family law solicitor, if desired.

Going To Court

In some situations – for example, when mediation fails, or it cannot take place due to domestic violence – a court will need to determine the child arrangements, which will be legally binding on all parties. It may be necessary to attend a series of court hearings.

A child arrangement order will decide arrangements such as where the child lives and what forms of contact are allowed with the other parent.
A specific issue order will address specific questions, such as where the child attends school.

It is essential that an experienced family law solicitor is consulted to obtain qualified legal advice and to maximise the chances of a successful outcome that ensures your children receive the best long-term care possible.