Nationwide Client Service on Child Residence, Access and Contact Problems
The first thing to understand when divorcing parents cannot agree on child residence and access questions is that any dispute presented in court will be determined according to the best interests of the child or children involved. To state the point more bluntly, the preferences, convenience or concerns of each parent will count for far less than the court's perception of what will be best for the child.
With this principle in mind, the specialist UK divorce lawyers at Boscos Solicitors work closely with parents to help them achieve secure and stable access and contact arrangements with their children if they will not have primary physical custody. In our experience, the best arrangements are determined through negotiated agreements between the divorcing parents. Whenever you ask a judge to decide your right of contact with your children, you're probably giving up more control over the process than you really need to. You're also taking the chance that the court will make a ruling that leaves a great deal to be desired from either parent's standpoint.
Leeds-Based Child Residence Solicitors With a Nationwide Practice
Although it remains common for the mother to retain primary residential custody of the children, it is now the general practice that both parents will have joint legal custody. This amounts to recognition that each parent will continue to have an equal voice in the most significant parental roles and decisions such as education, medical treatment, religious training, or access to confidential school or health data concerning the child.
An important part of our work at Boscos Solicitors involves helping parents make sound decisions for their children and themselves that are based on a solid understanding of their rights and responsibilities in both legal and practical terms. We work with clients to help them identify their own strengths as parents while recognising those of the other spouse, and finding ways to allow their children to benefit from both to the greatest extent possible.
Our lawyers believe that divorce does not need to result in so-called broken homes, traumatised children, and resentful or demoralised parents. Instead, we have seen how people manage to redefine their parent-child relationships on terms that not only are entirely satisfactory, but that benefit as well from the relief that divorce brings to the continuing tension of a troubled marriage.
UK Divorce Lawyers for the Full Range of Custody and Contact Issues
Whether stipulated by the parents or ordered by the court, child residence and contact arrangements are not carved in granite. They can be changed upon the application of either parent whenever changed circumstances or new problems arise. These can range from the changes in contact orders necessitated by changed work hours to serious parental fitness issues raised by substance abuse, patterns of irresponsible conduct, or medical emergencies.
We advise divorcing parents, separated parents, parents after divorce and unmarried parents about the best ways to resolve child custody, residence and contact issues. Contact Boscos Solicitors in Leeds or Wetherby for additional information about the range of our services and your best options for resolving your problems.
