Children Law Solicitors
When legal matters involve children, emotions often run high. Whether you’re going through a separation, dealing with social services, or navigating more complex issues such as adoption or abduction, securing the right legal support is essential.
Our child law solicitors understand how sensitive these situations can be. We provide clear, compassionate, and practical advice to help you protect your child’s welfare and make informed decisions.
We work discreetly and constructively, helping families resolve issues with minimal conflict while ensuring the child’s best interests are always the top priority.
Our experienced child law team advises on all aspects of children law, from straightforward child arrangements to complex international issues. Whatever your circumstances, we will guide you with clarity and care, offering reassurance at every step.
Our specialist solicitors can support clients with:
- Child arrangements on a contested and non contested basis
- Parental responsibility applications and disputes
- Child protection matters and social services involvement
- Adoption and surrogacy legal processes
- Child abduction and international relocation
- Special guardianship orders
- Specific issue and prohibited steps orders
- Child name changes
- Financial support and maintenance for children
Contact our Child Law Solicitors Today
Contact our child law solicitors in Bury St Edmunds, Cambridge, Ipswich, Leeds and Norwich. If you prefer, you can fill in our short enquiry form, and a member of our team will be in touch.
Our Child Law Services
Child arrangements and residence
One of the most pressing concerns for parents after separation is deciding where a child will live. Our expert solicitors at Ashtons Legal help parents agree on practical, fair living arrangements, whether the child lives with one parent or divides their time between both homes.
We’ll clearly explain your legal options and always aim to resolve matters amicably. Where agreement isn’t possible, we can guide you through court proceedings to secure a Child Arrangements Order that reflects your child’s best interests and provides much-needed clarity for your family.
To access child law advice today, please get in touch with our experts at Ashtons Legal.
Child contact
Maintaining a strong relationship with both parents is often vital for a child’s wellbeing. We help parents agree on contact arrangements, including weekday and weekend visits, school holidays, and communication between visits.
Our family solicitors are experienced in handling both straightforward and more sensitive contact issues, such as concerns about safety or the need for supervised contact. We work with empathy and professionalism, helping you to reach a solution that is best for your child.
Parental responsibility
Parental responsibility is the legal right to make important decisions about a child’s upbringing, including their education, healthcare, and religion.
Mothers automatically have this right at birth. Fathers also have it if they are married to the mother at the time of the birth of the child, and same-sex partners will have it if they are in a civil partnership with the mother and the child was conceived after April 2009.
Unmarried fathers and same-sex partners not in a civil partnership do not automatically have parental responsibility, they will need to apply for it through legal agreement or court order.
We can guide you through the process of securing parental responsibility, help resolve disputes, and ensure you understand how this status affects your role in your child’s life.
Child protection and social services
Being contacted by social services can be distressing. At Ashtons Legal, we understand how difficult this time can be and are here to support you with care and sensitivity.
Whether your child is under a child protection plan or involved in care proceedings, early legal advice is essential. We’ll guide you through the process, whether you’re attending meetings, responding to assessments, or appearing in court, while ensuring your rights are protected and your child’s welfare is fully considered.
Adoption and surrogacy
Adoption and surrogacy are life-changing decisions, often filled with both excitement and emotional complexity. We’re here to make the legal process as smooth and reassuring as possible.
Whether you’re adopting a stepchild, completing an agency adoption, or growing your family through surrogacy, our specialist solicitors provide full legal support. We’ll manage court applications, parental orders, and all the formalities so that you can focus on the next chapter of your family life.
Child abduction
If your child has been taken abroad or kept overseas without your permission, we understand the fear and urgency involved. Our experienced solicitors act swiftly and sensitively to protect your child and your rights.
We support clients with international child abduction cases under the Hague Convention, assist in preventing unlawful removal through urgent court applications, and represent parents in international relocation disputes.
Equally, if you are defending an allegation of child abduction, we will ensure your side is heard with clarity and care.
Special Guardianship Orders
A Special Guardianship Order appoints someone other than a parent to provide long-term care for a child, often in situations where the parents are unable to do so. This allows the child to have a stable and secure home without completely cutting ties with their birth family.
We support prospective special guardians through the application process, advise birth parents on their rights, and ensure everyone understands the long-term implications. Our solicitors work with compassion to achieve lasting, balanced outcomes that serve the child’s best interests.
Specific Issue Orders
When parents disagree on a key decision, such as a child’s school, medical treatment, or religious upbringing, a Specific Issue Order can help resolve the matter.
We assist clients in presenting their case clearly and constructively, always prioritising the child’s wellbeing. Wherever possible, we aim to resolve disputes outside of court through negotiation, but we’re fully prepared to support you through legal proceedings when necessary.
Prohibited Steps Orders
A Prohibited Steps Order stops a parent from taking certain actions without the other’s agreement, such as moving the child to a new school, taking them abroad, or changing their surname.
These orders can be crucial in urgent or high-risk situations. Our family solicitors act quickly to apply for protection and will guide you through the legal process with discretion, care, and a clear focus on your child’s safety.
Child name change
If you’re considering changing your child’s name, whether for family reasons or personal safety, it’s essential to follow the correct legal steps. You’ll need consent from everyone with parental responsibility or a court order.
We can help you prepare the necessary documents, approach the other parent in a constructive way, and apply to the court where required. We understand this can be a sensitive issue and will always offer practical advice with your child’s best interests in mind.
Financial support for children
Every child deserves to be financially supported, whether their parents are together or not. We help parents arrange fair and sustainable child maintenance agreements, including extra costs such as private school fees or extracurricular activities.
If needed, we can assist with court applications under Schedule 1 of the Children Act. Our family law solicitors work sensitively and proactively to ensure that your child’s financial needs are prioritised and properly provided for.
Why Choose Ashtons Legal?
Our specialist solicitors have extensive experience helping families navigate complex and sensitive legal issues. We take a practical, compassionate approach and are committed to securing the best outcome for your child.
At Ashtons Legal, we tailor our advice to your unique situation, whether you’re going through a separation, involved in court proceedings, or planning for your child’s future. We’ll guide you through every step, offering reassurance, legal clarity, and expert support.
With our help, you can take confident steps towards securing the right arrangements for your child, with peace of mind and legal protection.
Frequently Asked Questions About Child Law
How can child law solicitors help with disputes in child arrangements?
Children law solicitors provide expert guidance during disputes by helping parents reach agreements that prioritise the child’s wellbeing. If disputes escalate, they can represent you in court and apply for a Child Arrangements Order to formalise where the child will live and how contact with the other parent is managed.
Do I need a solicitor for child law issues?
While not mandatory, having a solicitor for child law matters is highly beneficial. They offer legal advice tailored to your situation, help resolve disputes constructively, and ensure your parental rights are protected, especially when dealing with complex issues like court applications, care proceedings or child arrangements.
What is a parental responsibility order?
A Parental Responsibility Order is a court order that gives an individual legal rights and responsibilities for a child. This is commonly used when a biological father, step-parent, or second female parent is not automatically granted parental responsibility and wishes to be legally recognised in key decisions affecting the child’s upbringing.
What should I do if I’ve been contacted by social services?
If social services contact you, it’s important to seek legal advice as early as possible. A child law solicitor can help you understand your rights, explain the process, and ensure your voice is heard, especially if social services are considering taking protective action or starting care proceedings.
Contact our Child Law Solicitors Today
Contact our child law solicitors Bury St Edmunds, Cambridge, Ipswich, Leeds and Norwich. If you prefer, you can fill in our short enquiry form, and a member of our team will be in touch.