Family Law - Children For expert legal advice call our family law team on 0114 218 4000 or tell us what happened so we can provide you with expert legal advice. Our experienced specialists understand the worry and distress conflicts involving children can cause and approach all matters sensitively and sympathetically, for the benefit of all concerned. We advise and represent children, parents, other family members and foster carers at all stages of the process. This starts from the earliest involvement of social workers and includes meetings, case conferences and any subsequent care or related proceedings, as well as the adoption process. OUR SERVICES ADOPTION This is the process by which a child becomes a full legal member of a new adoptive family. When an Adoption Order is made, the child’s legal status within their natural family is terminated. CARE PROCEEDINGS Social services may tell you that they are going to start care proceedings, but if they do not, you will find out when you receive a notice from the court telling you when and where the first hearing will be. CHILDREN Disputes between both married and unmarried parents in relation to the welfare and upbringing of their children can arise at any time. Parents have rights and responsibilities In relation to their children... CHILD ABDUCTION Government figures indicate that hundreds of children are abducted from Britain every year and taken to foreign countries by one of their parents or guardian without the consent of the other. CHILD ARRANGEMENT ORDERS A Child Arrangement Order settles with whom a child or children should live.It is rare for the Court to separate siblings but if it is in the children’s best interest they will do so. The Court looks at each child individually. CHILD SUPPORT The rules on child maintenance are changing. They depend on the circumstances of each case, but generally fall into the following categories: child support agency, child maintenance service... CLAIMS AGAINST ESTATES When someone dies, their property (known as their estate) passes to the people they name as beneficiaries in their will. If there is no will, the law sets out who is entitled to inherit using what is called... COHABITATION Cohabiting couples are treated very differently by the law to those who are married or in a civil partnership and despite being in a lengthy relationship, may find they have very little legal protection when it ends. PARENTAL RESPONSIBILITY Each parent can generally exercise their parental responsibility independently of the other and there is normally no onus on the parents to consult with the other prior to exercising their parental responsibility. SPECIAL GUARDIANSHIP It has long been considered that adoption within families is inappropriate, as it changes legal relationships and can be extremely confusing for the child. As a result, family placements were, until recently... CAN I GET LEGAL AID The Legal Aid Agency (LAA) looks after legal aid in England and Wales. We also make sure that people get the information, advice and legal help they need to deal with a wide range of problems. We work in partnership with solicitors and not-for-profit organisations to provide services to help people in need. Our vision is to make sure clients can access the help they need to address their problems. How we help Each year the LAA helps more than two million people to deal with their legal problems. We run the legal aid scheme, which safeguards some of society’s most vulnerable and disadvantaged people. Legal aid helps ensure access to justice by providing high quality advice, information and representation to people who would not otherwise be able to afford it. It means clients can protect their rights by: getting early advice being able to defend themselves if accused of a crime taking a case to court when this is the best way to resolve a dispute. Legal Aid Agency websiteThe Aid Agency (LAA) works in partnership with solicitors and not-for-profit organisations to help over 2 million people each year access legal advice, information and help. Legal Aid Eligibility calculatorUse the Legal Aid Calculator to see if you are eligible for legal aid. The legal adviser directoryFind legal advisers or solicitors near you. INSIGHTS & BLOGS Divorce law fit for modern age moves step closer Friday’s big announcement that the government is to overhaul our divorce laws was music to the ears of family solicitors… The post ... Supreme Court Ends Divorcee’s Hopes But Starts Debate If ever there was a case for no fault divorce, poor Mrs Owens’ is it. It was announced yesterday that,… The post ... Civil Partnerships: Supreme Court decision inconsistent with The European Convention on Human Rights Yesterday, The Supreme Court of England and Wales decided that it was inconsistent with The European Convention on Human Rights… The post ... World Cup Domestic Violence Warning At the start of the world cup, warnings have been issued about the imminent increase in domestic abuse during major… The post ... OUR TEAM Michaela Heathcote PartnerFamily Law Tel: 0114 218 4000 Lucy Rodgers PartnerFamily Law 0114 218 4000 Fay Bunting Associate & MediatorFamily Law 0114 218 4000 Pat Wotherspoon AssociateFamily Law 0114 218 4000 Ava Wright Legal AssistantFamily Law Children 0114 218 4000
