Children matters
There can be various issues to resolve in respect of the children of the family when a relationship ends. For many families, this will be one of the most significant events in their lives and is likely to involve considerable upheaval regardless of how amicable the separation is.
At your initial appointment with us or during your first attendance at Court, you may hear a number of terms that you are unfamiliar with. As a useful guide, Seddons Family Department has compiled a glossary of terms that helps explain some of these words. To download the glossary, click here.
Following your separation, your children are likely to be apprehensive about the transition and experience feelings of unhappiness and anxiety as everyone adjusts to the new arrangements. They will undoubtedly perceive things in a different way to you and your partner, so it is essential to work together to build a secure and stable future for them. It is absolutely key that both parties continue to maintain each child’s existing routine as much as possible to minimise the impact of the separation on the children.
There will be many different aspects of your child’s upbringing to consider, ranging from contact to residence to decisions concerning their schooling and perhaps the relocation of one parent to another part of the country or to another jurisdiction. In more extreme circumstances, a parent may remove their child without notice to the other parent meaning child abduction proceedings may become necessary.
Consideration should also be given to the contact your child will have with their grandparents. Often marginalised in any discussions regarding the arrangements for the children, grandparents play a crucial role in a child’s upbringing. In many cases, they will have played a key role in the development of their grandchild.
Where parents or grandparents are unable to resolve their differences regarding a child, the Children Act 1989 sets out a number of principles which the court will apply when considering an issue relating to a child’s upbringing. The child’s welfare is the court’s paramount consideration and is the single most important factor in deciding what is best for him or her. The court also has a duty to avoid there being any delay to the proceedings.
We believe in amicably and expediently resolving family disputes by encouraging constructive dialogue between the parties and will not encourage a party to litigate where it is unnecessary.
We promote a conciliatory approach to family law, encouraging mediation where the parties are open to engaging in positive dialogue with each other. We are committed to “collaborative law”, a method of dispute resolution that encourages couples to resolve matters in a non-confrontational way without the underlying threat of court proceedings. With the collaborative approach, by working together with their legal advisors, couples can negotiate an agreement through a series of meetings between the parties and with everyone working towards a mutually-beneficially outcome. Couples appreciate not being driven by a court timetable which allows the process to be flexible and adapt rapidly to any change in circumstances or priorities for the parties.
Whether your children issues are within a divorce or the ending of a cohabitation, we recognise the emotional impact these situations can have on the family. We can assist you to resolve these issues quickly and with the least impact on you and your child as possible.
We offer a 30 minute fixed fee interview for £100 plus VAT which will allow you to explore how we may help you.
For further information, including details on children issues, please contact Deborah Jeff on +44 (0) 20 7725 8056 or click here to email Deborah Jeff directly.