Children Arrangements
In an ideal world, when couples separate, or divorce, the arrangements for their children are agreed and, if necessary, formally recorded. The reality however is that all too often agreement cannot be reached. As a result many parents contact JMW Solicitors asking us to advise on residence, formerly "custody", and contact, formerly "access". Court applications can be made for both residence and contact, and other types of order.
If parents and other relatives, such as grandparents, receive sound practical advice early on they can sometimes avoid the financial costs, and emotional trauma, of Court proceedings. If Court proceedings cannot be avoided JMW Solicitors are able to provide specialist advice to make sure that your case is properly prepared and presented.
Parental Responsibility
Most parents believe that they have equal rights in respect of their children. This may not always be the case. All mothers have what is known as "parental responsibility" for their children. Not all fathers have parental responsibility. Whilst a married father has parental responsibility, unmarried fathers can only obtain parental responsibility if they are registered on the child's birth certificate as the birth father and the child was born after November 2003, or by entering into a formal agreement with the child's mother or by obtaining a Court order.
At JMW Solicitors we can prepare agreements or apply for Court orders. We also advise in situations where those with parental responsibility cannot agree on what is best for the child, for example, which school the child should attend, or whether a child should be immunised.
Child Abduction
Some parents fear that their child may be taken abroad and that they will not be able to see them. If there is a very real risk that this might happen JMW can advise on the steps that you can take to best protect your child.
In some cases children are brought to the UK from abroad. Allegations are then made that the child has been "abducted". JMW Solicitors can advise on this complicated area of law.
Adoption
This is a very specialist and sensitive area of law. You need to have the utmost confidence in your representation. JMW Solicitors has specialist solicitors whose skills in adoption work have been recognised by The Law Society and Resolution (formerly the Solicitors Family Law Association).
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