Family Court

There are a number of reasons why you and your family may have to attend family court. Some of these reasons are illustrated below:

Adoption applications

Adoption is a legal act that permanently transfers parental responsibility for a child from one family to another. This includes the adoption of stepchildren. The adoption application process can begin at the family court and a completed Form A58 (Application for an Adoption Order) must be lodged at court along with accompanying documents, including for example, a certified copy of the child's full birth certificate. We can direct you to an experienced adoption solicitor who can help you with the adoption process and answer any questions you may have.

Contact and residence orders

When parents separate, apply for divorce or a civil partnership dissolution and cannot agree on the future arrangements for their children, the family court has the power to issue contact and residence orders. These orders determine with which parent the child should live or the amount of contact a parent will have with their child. It is always wise that parents try to communicate and negotiate with each other to reach an agreement first. This could be done using mediation and such a process can be less distressing and costly for all involved. In cases involving young people, it is advisable that you obtain legal advice from the outset from a children solicitor who can provide you with the knowledge you need to make the best decisions for your child.

Children in care
Social services can ask the courts to issue any of the following orders if they feel it would be in the child's best interest or is for the child's safety:

emergency protection orders
care orders
supervision orders
secure accommodation order

These orders are often issued at the family court after a judge has heard a case for the order, in which case you and your family may be invited to attend court to witness the proceedings.

If you would like to obtain advice on family related issues, then Contact Law can put you in touch with a local family law firm with specialist family solicitors free of charge. Please call us at 0800 1777 162 or complete the web-form above.