Child Arrangements

Child Arrangements After Divorce or Separation

Child arrangements cover the practical and legal decisions that help provide stability for a child after parents separate. These arrangements are designed to support a child’s sense of routine, security and well-being, and can include:

• Where a child lives and the home base that best supports them.
• How time is shared between parents in a way that feels consistent and reassuring
• Arrangements for holidays, birthdays and other special occasions
• How important decisions about a child’s upbringing are made

While many parents are able to reach agreement between themselves, this is not always possible. Communication can break down, emotions can run high, and concerns about a child’s welfare may arise. In these moments, the situation can feel overwhelming.

Seeking early legal advice can help bring clarity and structure at a crucial time, reducing conflict and ensuring that the focus remains firmly on what is best for the child.

Our Child Arrangement Legal Services

We provide advice and representation across the full range of child arrangement matters.

Child Arrangement Orders

When parents are unable to reach agreement, the Family Court can help by making a Child Arrangement Order. This sets out where a child lives and how they spend time with each parent, providing clarity, consistency and reassurance at a time of uncertainty. Any decision made by the court is guided by what is in the child’s best interests.

Find out more on Child Arrangement Orders

Specific Issue Orders

Sometimes parents agree on most aspects of a child’s care but struggle with one particularly important decision. A Specific Issue Order allows the court to help resolve a single disagreement, such as schooling, medical treatment, religion or relocation. These issues can carry a great deal of emotional weight, and the court’s role is to ensure that the decision made supports the child’s welfare, stability and future needs.

Find out more on Specific Issue Orders

Prohibited Steps Orders

In situations where there is concern that a decision may be made without agreement and could have a serious impact on a child, a Prohibited Steps Order may be appropriate. This can prevent actions such as removing a child from the country or changing schools without consent. We understand how frightening and stressful these situations can feel, and we provide clear, urgent advice to help protect your child from sudden or unsettling change.

Find out more on Prohibited Steps Orders

Family Court Hearings and Representation

Where court proceedings are necessary, having the right support can make a significant difference. Our solicitors provide calm, experienced representation at all stages of Family Court proceedings, including complex and contested children cases. We guide you through the process carefully, explain what to expect, and ensure your child’s best interests remain at the centre of every step.

Find out more on Family Court Hearings and Representation 

Disputes About Children

Disputes involving children can arise in many forms and are often highly emotional. We regularly act for parents in matters involving safeguarding concerns, high‑conflict separations, breaches of existing court orders, and breakdowns in communication. Our approach is always focused on reducing harm to children and helping families move towards safer, more stable arrangements.

Find out more on Children Arrangements Disputes

Grandparents’ Rights

Grandparents often play a vital role in a child’s life, offering love, stability and reassurance. When family relationships break down and contact is lost, this can be heartbreaking for both grandparents and children. We advise grandparents on the legal options available where contact has broken down following family separation, helping to preserve these important relationships wherever possible.

Find out more on Grandparents Rights 

Parental Responsibility and Child Arrangements

Parental responsibility refers to the legal rights and responsibilities a person has towards a child, including decisions about education, medical care and upbringing. It is often held jointly, but disagreements about how parental responsibility is exercised can lead to significant conflict.

These disputes frequently overlap with child arrangement issues. Our solicitors can explain how parental responsibility affects day‑to‑day decision‑making, child arrangements and court applications, and advise whether an application to the court may be needed to bring clarity and reassurance for your child.

Find out more on Parental Responsibility

How a Child Arrangement Solicitor Can Help

Disputes involving children are understandably stressful and emotionally draining. Having an experienced Child Arrangement solicitor by your side can help you feel supported, informed and reassured during a difficult time.

Having an experienced child arrangement solicitor can help by:

• Reducing conflict and helping shield children from parental disputes
• Explaining your rights, responsibilities and realistic outcomes clearly
• Supporting negotiations with your former partner or their solicitor
• Preparing court applications and supporting evidence with care and sensitivity
• Representing you confidently and compassionately at Family Court

Our focus is always on solutions that promote stability for children and reduce the risk of ongoing conflict wherever possible.

Speak to a Child Arrangement Solicitor

Our family law team is one of the largest in the North of England and is recognised by Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners. We are Resolution and Law Society accredited and highly rated by former clients for our compassionate, clear and practical approach.

We offer a free 30‑minute initial consultation, available:

• By telephone
• By video appointment
• In person at our offices in Sheffield, Barnsley or Rotherham

Contact us or call us on 0114 2235 807 to speak to a family law expert or book an appointment today.

Areas We Cover

Our family law solicitors regularly advise clients across:

• Sheffield, Barnsley & Rotherham
• Doncaster and wider South Yorkshire
• Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire
• London and nationwide across England and Wales

Fees for Child Arrangement Matters

We offer transparent pricing and fixed‑fee options for many stages of child arrangement work. You will always be kept informed of costs and advised of the most cost‑effective way to proceed.

Find our family law fees here.

Flexible Family Law Appointments

We understand that dealing with family law matters can be stressful, and finding time to attend in-person appointments isn’t always easy. That’s why we offer our full range of family law services remotely, offering a more efficient and convenient service.

We can offer advice nationwide on that basis, which can often work out to be cheaper and more convenient, frequently providing representation to family law clients around the whole country.

We can offer our family law legal support via telephone or secure online meetings. This approach allows you to access expert legal advice from the comfort of your home, without the need to travel or rearrange your schedule.

If your case requires a court hearing, many such procedural matters are now handled remotely too, or if in person we can arrange representation by a suitable local barrister, ensuring your legal journey is as smooth and accessible as possible.

Our remote services are designed to be just as personal and confidential as in-person consultations, with clear communication and full transparency every step of the way.

If you do wish to meet us face to face, you can book an appointment at one of our offices in Sheffield, Barnsley or Rotherham. While remote services offer convenience, they may not be suitable for those with limited digital literacy or access or where safeguarding is critical.

Contact us or call us on 0114 2235 807 to speak to a family law expert or book an appointment today.