Child Lawyers.

We can help you apply to the court for a Child Arrangement Order by helping you to complete all the necessary paperwork, representing you at hearings and we will carefully prepare all statements and evidence that the court will require to reach the right decision.

If you are unsure how much should be paid or whether the other parent is fulfilling their obligations, we can provide clear, straightforward advice and assist with any formal applications or enforcement procedures.

Our team will carefully assess your circumstances and explain your legal options. We frequently advise clients on how to get Parental Responsibility through agreements or court orders, and we also help step-parents and civil partners in formalising their parental role.

We understand that parenting does not begin and end with biological parents. Although the law does not automatically give extended family members the right to contact, we have helped many families apply successfully to the court for contact arrangements or Special Guardianship Orders.

If you wish to apply for a Special Guardianship Order then we can help you with the full, legal process, the assessment process and the full court proceedings. We are also able to help anyone wishing to change or remove the order so that they are able to obtain sole, legal responsibility for their children.

We can help you with any dispute resolution appointments and hearings, which are designed to give you the opportunity to voice your thoughts and concerns in decisions about the living arrangements and/or welfare of your children. Where resolution is not possible we will establish all the facts to help the court make a decision about arrangements for your children.

Whether you are pursuing a legal order to formalise guardianship of your grandchildren or whether you are fighting for your right to see them, we can offer all the Grandparents Custody & Contact Advice you will need.

There are many issues affecting stepfamilies including parental responsibility, adoption and inheritance. Whatever the situation, our team of family law specialists are on hand with the expert, Legal Advice for Step Families you will need to bring your case to a swift and effective close.

We can provide you with tailored advice about how your particular paternity dispute can be resolved either with or without court action.

Our dedicated Child Law Solicitors have an excellent track record of securing successful outcomes for families nationally, providing them with reassurance and peace of mind for the future.

We advise regularly on cases involving relocating with a child after divorce, and, where risks such as child abduction exist, we offer specialist advice that balances urgency with legal precision. We also have considerable experience supporting LGBTQ+ families in navigating the complexities of legal parenthood and parental responsibility, whether through surrogacy, adoption or collaborative parenting arrangements.

Disagreements between parents are not always about where a child lives. Where communication breaks down and agreement is not possible, it may be necessary to seek either a Specific Issue Order or a Prohibited Steps Order from the court. Our role is to ensure that your concerns are properly considered and that any action taken is in your child’s best interests.

The prospect of having to fight for the right to be with your child or children can be somewhat overwhelming, but ensuring you have a skilled Child Custody lawyer on your side can make all the difference. Child Custody Solicitors are family lawyers who have gained extensive experience in child arrangement and child custody cases.

In many situations, by working together with a child’s best interests in mind, parents can successfully negotiate an agreeable custody agreement without needing to go to court. Unfortunately, there are instances where one parent’s idea of what’s best for the children differs significantly from the other’s and no form of agreement can be reached.

If you can sit down with your child’s other parent and agree on the details of physical and legal custody, visitation, and child support, then it’s unlikely that you’ll require the services of a lawyer. If you can’t, you might need a family lawyer, a mediator, or even both.

If you and the other parent are unable to reach an agreement, we will help you explore your next steps calmly and constructively. Mediation is often the first recommended option, a neutral setting where both parties can work towards a solution with the support of a trained mediator.

If mediation isn’t suitable or does not lead to resolution, we’ll advise you on the process of making a court application. Our goal is always to help you make informed choices that prioritise your child’s wellbeing, and to guide you through whichever legal route is right for your circumstances.

The court process begins by submitting an application outlining the type of order you’re seeking, along with a court fee. Once accepted, the application is sent to the other parent, and a hearing date is set.

Before the first hearing, Cafcass (Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service) will conduct safeguarding checks. This initial hearing, called a First Hearing Dispute Resolution Appointment (FHDRA), is designed to explore early agreement with the help of a judge and Cafcass officer.

If no agreement is reached, the court may request further information—such as written statements, home visits, or expert assessments—to better understand what arrangement is in the child’s best interests. In urgent cases, emergency applications can be made, and the court will respond accordingly.

Should the matter remain unresolved, the court will hold a final hearing where both parties can present evidence. A judge will then make a binding decision. Throughout, our solicitors will guide and support you every step of the way, ensuring your voice is heard and your child’s welfare is central to the process.

At Lanyon Bowdler, we have a transparent approach to costs so there are never any surprises. We offer fixed fees and staged payment options in addition to the traditional hourly charging rate. You can tailor your payment plan to suit your personal circumstances.

Children’s views can be taken into account by the court, particularly as they get older and more mature. However, there is no set age at which a child can choose where they want to live. The court will consider their wishes and feelings alongside a number of other factors, including their welfare, safety, and emotional needs. In many cases, a CAFCASS officer (Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service) will speak with the child and report their views to the court.

Yes. If both parents share parental responsibility, or if there is a Child Arrangements Order in place, you will usually need the other parent’s written consent to take a child abroad—even for a short holiday. Travelling without consent may be considered child abduction. We can help you obtain the appropriate permissions, or apply to the court if agreement cannot be reached.

Changing a child’s surname is not something that can be done unilaterally if both parents have parental responsibility. You must either gain the written consent of everyone with parental responsibility or apply to the court for permission. The court will consider whether the change is in the child’s best interests, taking into account factors such as emotional connection to the name, family relationships, and potential confusion.

Yes. If you and your ex-partner have agreed how you will care for your children, it is possible to formalise this agreement through a consent order. This is a legal document approved by the court, which gives your agreed arrangements the same legal standing as if a judge had decided them. This can provide reassurance and prevent future disputes. Our solicitors can draft and submit a Consent Order on your behalf to ensure everything is handled correctly.

Fathers who were not married to the mother and are not named on the birth certificate do not automatically have parental responsibility. However, they can still apply for it, and in most cases, the court will grant it if they demonstrate a genuine commitment to their child. We regularly help fathers secure parental responsibility and establish appropriate contact arrangements.

This is a common concern, especially shortly after separation. Unless there is a safeguarding issue, there is usually no legal restriction preventing a parent from introducing a new partner to the children. However, if you feel the introduction is not in the child’s best interests or is being done too quickly or disruptively, we can help mediate discussions or, in more serious cases, apply for a Prohibited Steps Order if appropriate.

Family courts in England and Wales can issue a range of orders depending on what’s needed for your child’s welfare. The most common are Child Arrangements Orders, which decide where a child will live (‘lives with’ orders) and how they spend time with the other parent (‘time spent with’ orders). These typically remain in place until the child turns 16.

The court can also make Prohibited Steps Orders to prevent specific actions, such as taking a child abroad without consent, or Specific Issue Orders to resolve disagreements over matters like schooling or medical care.

In more complex cases, the court may consider orders relating to relocation, parental responsibility, Special Guardianship Orders, child abduction, or financial provision to support a child’s needs. Whatever your situation, we can help you understand your options and represent your interests effectively.

The court’s primary concern is always the child’s welfare. Every decision is guided by what is in the child’s best interests, not the preferences of either parent. To reach a fair outcome, the court applies a specific checklist of factors set out in the Children Act 1989.

This includes the child’s wishes and feelings (depending on age and understanding), their emotional, physical and educational needs, any risk of harm, and how any changes might affect them. The court will also consider the child’s age, background, and the ability of each parent to meet their needs.

For this reason, it’s essential that your case is presented thoroughly and thoughtfully. We will ensure the court has a clear and compelling picture of your child’s needs and your ability to support them.