Child Arrangements After Family Breakdown Such As Divorce Or Separation
Our Help Guide will take you through all the options available you to sort out your child arrangements when there has been a family breakdown such as divorce and separation.
You have 3 options available and each one is discussed in the boxes below. You will be given a complete guide how to navigate each one especially if you intend to sort out child arrangements as a litigant in person (an individual involved in court proceedings and is not represented by a solicitor or barrister).
Please note child arrangements was previously known as child custody, child access, residence arrangements, and child contact.
BOX 1 – If there is a chance, even a small one, that you and your ex-partner can sort out your child arrangements between yourselves privately, then we would encourage you to do so. If this is the case then please click on box 1 below. Box 1 will go through how to sort out child arrangements by yourselves, how to get the family court to approve your child arrangements agreement and we will also give you an overview of what you can include in your child arrangements agreement.
BOX 2 – If you and your ex-partner need to sort out child arrangements mediation help then please click on box 2 below.
BOX 3 – If you cannot reach a child arrangements agreement between yourselves or with mediation help, then the only avenue is to go through the court process and let them help or decide for you and your ex-partner. But we must warn you this can be an expensive, traumatic and time consuming process if solicitors and barristers are involved. If you are not entitled to legal aid and do not want to or cannot pay the high fees of solicitors and barristers then you can go through the family courts as a litigant in person (a person involved in court proceedings and is not represented by a solicitor or barrister). This can be scary and daunting, but box 3 below will help you learn the whole court process, which court forms you may need and you will be shown what to do.
3
Child Arrangements by going through the court process
1) The Step By Step Process
2) The Main Forms You Will Need
3) Other Forms You Will Need
4) Statements, Documents & Bundles You Will Need
5) Forms For Appeals - What is A Court Transcript?
6) Cafcass, Child Reports & The Welfare Checklist
7) Child Arrangement Terms & Court Orders Explained
8) With Notice & Without Notice Court Application
9) What Is A McKenzie Friend
10) Time Leading Up to The Day, Court Rooms, Phone & Video Calls, PSU
11) Alienation & The Child
12) Children Vs Each Child
13) Child Proceedings In The Family Court & Domestic Violence
14) Sending Documents And Files To The Family Court