Children

Help for Parents and Grandparents

Issues around the upbringing of children if a relationship breaks down can be emotional and complex.

Married biological parents both automatically have Parental Responsibility for their children. Parental responsibility gives you the power to make important decisions in relation to your children.  When both parents hold this status, then they must work together in making decisions whether they are still in a relationship or not.  These decisions can include:

Schooling decisions

The child’s name

Appointing the child’s guardian in the event of the death of a parent

Consenting to medical treatment

Taking the child overseas

Relocating in England and Wales or abroad

Representing the child in any legal proceedings

Simply because the child lives with one parent, does not necessarily give that parent the right to make decisions in the above areas without the agreement of the other. If a serious disagreement does arise, this can be resolved through solicitor assistance or mediation.  However, if this is not successful then the court will make the decision.

Sarah can help with:

Contact and childcare arrangements for parents

Child Arrangement Orders – where and with who a child will live and/or spend time with the other parent

Contact arrangements for grandparents

Grandparents also often need support to maintain contact with their grandchildren, which is often made difficult or denied completely following the separation of the child’s parents.

How Life’s Chapters can help with issues concerning children:

Sarah is an extremely experienced family solicitor.  She understands the emotion and heartache which can be linked to children whose parents are no longer in a relationship. 

Matters have to be handled extremely carefully and this is where Sarah really stands out from other lawyers.  Not only will she work with you to help you sort out legal issues, but she will also coach you in the best way to handle matters with the other parent.  It’s all about doing the right thing for the child in the right way.

Sarah also helps Grandparents who may find they are denied contact with their grandchildren as a result of the breakdown of the parent’s relationship.

Whether you are looking to be awarded parental responsibility, arrange contact, with your children, need to agree on living arrangements, or have your fair say in the child’s upbringing, Sarah will guide and support all the way.

Sarah is just at the end of an email so drop her a line:

Contact Sarah

What Sarah’s clients say:

"I was impressed with the straightforward, focused and professional service that I received from Sarah. The quality and clarity of the advice that I received were excellent. At each step of the process I felt informed and supported. I also found the billing process very transparent and the monthly accounts helped with budgeting. Overall the service I received represented excellent value for money. Thank you again for helping things to go so smoothly."

"I instructed Sarah in relation to my divorce as she was recommended to me by a friend. She impressed me with her knowledge of the divorce process, her understanding of the issues I was facing and her speed of response. Above all, it was her guidance and sensitivity around how to approach/manage some difficult discussions with my ex-wife (especially in relation to matters impacting on my children), that I valued most. A first class service that I would, and do, highly recommend."

"Thank you so much Sarah you have been brilliant! I started back at work this week and everyone is surprised at how quick it's gone through, I've told them all I had the best solicitor. Take care!"

"Thanks for all your hard work it was worth every penny!"

"You are an absolute star! Your reflections on my case are really helpful. Thank you!"

"With Sarah's help, advice and encouragement I am not fearful of the events ahead. She gave me the opportunity to see forward again. Her input has helped me in more ways than I can mention, not just the legal issues which I can't thank her enough for. I feel like I've climbed out of a hole and I am no longer the person I was when I walked into Sarah's office. I simply couldn't quantify or understand what was needed, to put all the things into place to move on, Sarah did this for me. Once again, a huge thank you for everything. I can't say much more than that."

"I feel I have more progressed and gained more confidence and clarity for the way forward from my initial 60 minute consultation with Sarah than I have from other professional sources over the past 6 months. I can now see the light at the end of tunnel."

"I came to Sarah in a fog, not knowing where I was or where I was going. Not only did Sarah make the fog go away she also swigged the light on and took my hand and guided me to it. Thank you Sarah I never thought I would come out of this at the other end but you helped me do it even through the really tough times."

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