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Arrangements for Children and Parental Responsibility

 

When parents separate, the focus should be on what works for the children, not winning an argument.

Keeping children at the centre of every decision

Decisions about where children live, who they spend time with, and how the big decisions about their upbringing are made are among the most important any parent can face. They are also among the most emotional.

herever possible, these arrangements are best made between parents directly, or with the help of a mediator, without the need for court.

But when that is not possible, or when there are welfare concerns, the family court can make orders to resolve the dispute.

Our family law team helps parents across Staffordshire and the West Midlands reach practical, workable arrangements for their children, always with the children's welfare at the centre of the advice we give.

What we can help with

Negotiating parenting arrangements between separated parents

Parenting plans, setting out day-to-day arrangements clearly

Parental responsibility: who has it and how to obtain it

Child Arrangements Orders

Prohibited Steps Orders

Specific Issue Orders (schooling, medical treatment, religion)

Urgent applications, child abduction, relocation, emergency protection

International child abduction and cross-border disputes

Grandparent applications

Advice on CAFCASS involvement and section 7 reports

Get in touch to enquire about arrangements for children

Tell us what you need and we'll put you in touch with the right person.

 

How financial settlements work

Court should always be the last resort

Going to court over children is expensive, slow, and damaging to the co-parenting relationship. Most arrangements can be agreed through direct negotiation or mediation. We always explore every alternative before recommending court proceedings.

1

MIAM

Before any court application, you are legally required to attend a Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting (MIAM) to explore whether mediation is appropriate.
2

Negotiation

We help you negotiate practical arrangements directly with the other parent, or through a mediator, wherever possible.
3

Parenting plan

Agreed arrangements are documented in a written parenting plan, covering where the children live, contact arrangements, and key decisions about their upbringing.

4

Court (if needed)

If agreement cannot be reached, we apply for a Child Arrangements Order. The court applies the welfare checklist and the child's welfare is the paramount consideration.

Understanding parental responsibility and Children Act orders

Parental responsibility (PR) is the legal authority to make decisions about a child's upbringing. Not every parent automatically has it, and understanding who has PR and what it means is an important first step.

Key things you should know

  • Mothers automatically have parental responsibility.
  • Fathers have PR if they are married to the mother, or named on the birth certificate for births registered after 1 December 2003.
  • Unmarried fathers not on the birth certificate can acquire PR through a Parental Responsibility Agreement or court order.
  • A Child Arrangements Order specifies where a child lives and who they spend time with. The court applies the welfare checklist in Section 1 of the Children Act 1989.
  • CAFCASS carries out safeguarding checks and speaks to the parents and children, where appropriate, in most contested cases and may prepare a Section 7 welfare report with recommendations for the court.

You and your Family are in safe hands.

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Children's welfare first, always

Every piece of advice we give is framed around what is best for the children, not just what the parent wants.

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Negotiated outcomes where possible

Going to court over children is expensive and stressful. We help parents reach agreement without court wherever we can.

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MIAM and mediation support

We advise on the MIAM requirement and can refer you to accredited mediators where mediation is appropriate.

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Urgent and emergency applications

Where a child's safety is at risk, we can make emergency applications to the court, sometimes the same day.

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Expertise in complex cases

Including international disputes, relocation applications, and cases involving CAFCASS and welfare concerns.

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Clear, honest advice

We will tell you what the court is likely to think, not just what you want to hear.

Need help agreeing arrangements for your children?

Talk to our family law team. We will help you find the most practical route forward for you and your children.

Frequently asked questions

If you are unsure where to start, the FAQs below cover the questions we hear most often. Our Family Law team is on hand if you want to talk through anything specific.

 

Simply give us a call on 0121 716 3716

Do I need a court order to agree arrangements for my children?

No. Most parents reach arrangements informally between themselves or with the help of mediation. A formal court order is only needed if parents cannot agree, or if one parent wants to formalise an arrangement in a legally binding way.

What is a Child Arrangements Order?

A Child Arrangements Order is a court order made under the Children Act 1989. It sets out where a child lives and who they spend time with. Previously these were called residence orders and contact orders.

How does the court decide what is best for the children?

The court applies the welfare checklist in Section 1 of the Children Act 1989. This includes the child's wishes and feelings according to their age, their physical, emotional, and educational needs, the likely effect of any change, and any risk of harm. The child's welfare is the court's paramount consideration.

Your Family Law Experts

Our Family Law team is here for people, not just cases. Approachable, compassionate, and focused on securing the best possible outcomes for you and your loved ones. Combining specialist expertise with clear, practical advice, they guide you through life’s most challenging moments with sensitivity, integrity, and unwavering professionalism.

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Explore Ansons Insights for the latest legal updates, case reviews, and practical advice from our team across commercial, property, family, and private client law.

Serving clients across Staffordshire and the West Midlands

 

Ansons has offices in Lichfield, Cannock, Dudley, and Sutton Coldfield. All four offices cover family law matters, and our team regularly supports clients across the wider region, including Tamworth, Burntwood, Rugeley, Walsall, Birmingham, and surrounding areas.

Child arrangements solicitors in Lichfield

Our Lichfield family law team advises parents on child arrangements, parenting plans, and court applications across the city and into Staffordshire. We work to keep things out of court wherever possible and focus on what works for the children.

St Mary's Chambers,
5-7 Breadmarket Street, Lichfield, Staffordshire, WS13 6LQ

T: 01543 263 456
E: info@ansons.law

Child arrangements solicitors in Cannock

Clients across Cannock and the surrounding area can access our family law team for advice on parental responsibility, child arrangements orders, and mediation. We handle urgent applications where the circumstances require it.

Commerce House, Ridings Park, Eastern Way, Cannock, Staffordshire, WS11 7FJ

T: 01543 466 660
E: info@ansons.law

Child arrangements solicitors in Sutton Coldfield

Our Sutton Coldfield family law solicitors help parents across the Royal Town and into Birmingham navigate child arrangements, from informal parenting plans through to contested court proceedings.

 

 

316-318 Lichfield Road, Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands, B74 2UG

T: 0121 716 3716
E: info@ansons.law

Child arrangements solicitors in Dudley

Our Dudley office serves clients across the Black Country on all aspects of children law, parental responsibility, child arrangements orders, and urgent applications where a child's welfare is at immediate risk.

Unit 10, Castle Court 2, Castlegate Way, Dudley, DY1 4RH

T: 0121 550 0010
E: info@ansons.law