What to Do When Served Child Arrangement Papers

At Astle Paterson, our divorce and family legal specialists can support you through all stages of the child arrangement order process. Our professional and caring team will work closely with you and your family to ensure that the needs of the children are accommodated so that an acceptable resolution is found.

Child Arrangement Papers Have Been Served: What Happens Next

When child arrangement papers are issued by the Court, you will be sent the documents including a ‘Notice of Proceedings’.

You will need to reply promptly – within 14 days at the latest – using Form C7 which allows you the chance to provide information to the Court, including whether you agree or disagree with the Order.

You should decide whether to represent yourself or to hire a specialist divorce and family lawyer to act on your behalf.

Within 4 to 6 weeks of the application, a date will be provided for the First Hearing Dispute Resolution Appointment (FHDRA). You will be contacted by a Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (CAFCASS) advisor, who will request information from you, including:

• A Social Services and a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.
• Concerns you may have about the other parent or the safety and welfare of the children.

The Court Hearing

At the FHDRA, the judge will ascertain whether an agreement can be reached between the parents. You may be asked to meet with a mediator to try to reach an agreement, and CAFCASS may provide a report to help determine what is in the best interests of the child (you will receive a copy of this when it is completed).

Further hearings may be necessary if an agreement cannot be reached, and you may be required to give evidence if you feel you or your partner should have the majority care of the child. A solicitor can be invaluable in supporting you through this stage of the process and helping you to achieve your desired outcome.

While you will need to attend Court hearings in person, you can request to attend in a separate room if you do not wish to see your ex-partner.

The Judgment

When deciding how children will be cared for, the judge will consider:

• The child’s feelings and wishes.
• Physical, emotional, and educational needs.
• The likely effect changes to care arrangements would have on the child.
• The age, gender, and background of the child.
• The risk of harm to the child.
• The parents’ ability to meet the child’s needs.

How Long Does A Child Arrangement Order Take?

The process varies according to the complexity of each individual case. The involvement of a divorce and family solicitor will help you produce the required information and evidence on time, minimising the chances of a frustrating adjournment which will cause the Order to be delayed.

Contact Us For More Information

If you have been served child arrangement papers and need professional legal advice, please call Astle Paterson on 01283 531366 and one of our expert team will be pleased to assist you.

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