Arranging contact with your children after a divorce is essential, and how you come to this agreement will depend on how you communicate with your ex-spouse, as well as your children. Listed below are useful methods divorcing parents can use to maintain contact with their children.
Employ a solicitor
If communication between you and your ex breaks down, specialist family solicitors can help to get discussions back on track. Family lawyers can assist by negotiating contact agreements on your behalf, this therefore helps to reduce the arguments that may arise between both parties.
Family mediation
Family mediation can help you and your ex spouse come to agreements about your children without going to court. Mediators are trained to talk to both parents, establish the needs and desires, and reach compromises that will benefit the children.
The price of mediation can vary, but it is certainly cheaper than going to court. You may be able to get legal aid if your income is low. It’s worth noting that a mediation agreement is not legally binding, so hiring a family solicitor will help you take it to court and put legal force onto it.
Create a parenting plan
If both parties agree to agreements for your children, you should consider creating a parenting plan. This is a written document which outlines what you have agreed to. This will help you to prioritise your children and avoid any conflict between the two of you.
To help start the process, you should contact specialist family law solicitors who will be able to assist you in creating a parenting plan without having to go to court. Family solicitors will be able to set out practical decisions about the children, such as living arrangements, healthcare and education.
Apply to court
Applying to court can be an extremely distressing situation, and is only recommended if one party feels they are excluded from their children. If this is the case, the parent can go to court for a contact order. This type of order means the child is required to visit or stay with the other parent, or at least have some form of contact with them.
You are not guaranteed to get your desired result by going to court, and you may actually end up causing a lot of disruption. The court will treat your child’s welfare as a priority, so it’s not always guaranteed that you will receive your desired outcome. If you’re applying for a contact order it’s vital you have legal support to assist you. This is also useful if your partner is requesting a contact order that you are not comfortable with.
If you and your ex are struggling to see eye-to-eye on your children’s living arrangements and general care, following the options above will help to alleviate some stress. It’s important to put your children first and therefore go through the processes as amibically as possible. It’s always best to contact family law solicitors who will be able to professionally liaise for you, as well as supporting you with the best legal advice possible.