Do It Yourself - Child Arrangements
WHAT IS DIY CHILD ARRANGEMENTS?
DIY or do it yourself child arrangements is when you and your ex-partner manage the whole child arrangements process between yourselves. This is suitable for those ex-couples who can amicably reach agreements between themselves.
DIY child arrangements are cheap, quick, and peaceful.
Our L.I.P website will help you. Our Help Guides have detailed explanations on the whole child arrangements process. There are detailed write ups on the forms you will need, links where to find them and other write ups on virtually every thing you could come across during your child arrangements.
Once you both have agreed child arrangements you and your ex-partner can write down all your agreements and decisions onto a piece of paper called a draft consent agreement. We have provided a downloadable draft consent agreement template for you to use. Please click on the link below.
Please click on the link below to find out what you can include in your child arrangements agreement.
Please click on the link below to find out how you would get the court to approve your child arrangements agreement.
Please click on the link below for all other aspects of child arrangements.
LINK TO OUR L.I.P HELP GUIDE 4 – CHILD ARRANGEMENTS & PROCEEDINGS
WHAT DOES THE COURT DO ONCE THEY RECEIVE OUR FORMS AND DRAFT CONSENT AGREEMENTS?
Once the court receives your court application forms and draft consent agreements, the court will approve and stamp your draft consent agreements into consent orders/court orders that are legally binding. If there is something that the court wants clarification on they will either write to you both or ask you both to attend a court hearing.
IS DIY CHILD ARRANGEMENTS POPULAR?
This type of child arrangements is now very popular especially with legal aid cuts. Most people today do not want to go to court and deal with solicitors and barristers and have judges make decisions about their children for them that they have to live with. At the same time this way saves a lot of money, heartache and time.
CAN YOU GET OUTSIDE HELP AT ANY TIME?
Please note if at any time you feel you need legal advice or help, you can go to the citizens advice bureau, get a 1 hour free consultation with a family law firm, or pay a solicitor for a few hours of advice. You can also contact a mediation company for help. They are relatively cheap.
WILL YOU BE ABLE TO COMPLETE THE COURT FORMS YOURSELVES AND UNDERSTAND THE PROCESS?
Of course you can. This website will help you all the way through.
ONCE YOU AND YOUR EX-PARTNER REACH AGREEMENTS WHO WILL WRITE THEM DOWN ON A DRAFT CONSENT AGREEMENT TO SEND TO THE COURT?
You can get a solicitor to write it but please negotiate the fee and shop around. You can write it yourselves using a template for a draft consent agreement. Please click on the link below so you can be taken to the page where you will find a template.