Children: The orders the Court can make.

If you are unable to resolve matters concerning your children between the two of you, there are a number of different orders which you can apply for from the court:

• a Residence Order is an order which determines where your child shall live. This order can be shared between two parents in which case the order will specify the times your child will spend in each household
• a Contact Order is an order which requires the parent with the Residence Order to facilitate contact between your child and the other parent. Usually the level and extent of contact is defined by the order
• a Parental Responsibility Order is an order which confers upon you the ability to make and be involved in decisions concerning your child or his/her property. For further details see our section on Parental Responsibility
• you can make an application for a Prohibited Steps Order, which, if granted, will prevent the other parent from taking a particular step in relation to your child, i.e. preventing your child from being taken out of the country or undertaking a particular form of medical treatment
• you may also apply for a Specific Issue Order to resolve a point of dispute between you and the other parent over a particular issue, i.e. which school your child should attend or which surname your child should be known by.

Family law solicitors

To arrange a discussion with a family law solicitor click here or call us on 0800 840 4929. We are available to take your call twenty four hours a day, seven days a week.