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Dealing with legal issues relating to children can be stressful and difficult. Our expert child law solicitors in Cardiff know that this will not be an easy time for you and will provide the support and guidance you need. We have many years of experience in dealing with legal matters relating to children and a strong track record of success in securing the best possible outcome for families.
Our child law team are friendly and approachable and will do everything possible to assist you during your time with us. We will keep you updated throughout your case and ensure that we are easy to contact so that you can discuss any concerns and ask us questions as they arise.
We are highly accredited in the area of family law and proceedings relating to children. We always aim to resolve matters with minimal conflict and are often able to deal with matters out of court, which is generally quicker and easier than litigation.
Our children law solicitors in Cardiff offer a full range of services, including:
- Child arrangement orders
- Child care proceedings
- Child name change
- Children in care
If you would like to have an initial conversation about your needs, we will be happy to hear from you.
Free First Consultation No Hidden Costs Same Day Response
Speak to one of our expert divorce solicitors in Cardiff, South Wales, today by calling 02921 304 307or send us an enquiry.
How we can help you with child law issues
Child arrangement orders
If you and your child’s other parent are separating, you will need to put new arrangements in place setting out how their time will be split between you. Once you have agreed on how matters will be dealt with, the details can be put into a draft child arrangements order. The court can then be asked to approve this and seal it into a binding child arrangement order. This will give you and your children the certainty of being able to rely on the agreement.
Where necessary, we can negotiate on your behalf to try and agree on the contents of the agreement. Child arrangement orders can be tailored to suit your situation, but will often include the following:
- Who your child will live with
- Where they will live
- How much time your child will spend with their other parent and when this will be
- How your child will stay in touch with each parent when they are not together
- Where they will go to school
- Who else your child will see or won’t see
- What will happen in school holidays
Ideally, the courts like parents to agree on arrangements for children between themselves. If we are not able to do this by way of negotiation, the next step is usually to consider mediation. The only exceptions to this include where there are allegations of domestic abuse.
We can arrange for you to attend a Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting or MIAM if necessary. This is a meeting with a mediator who will explain to you how the mediation process works and the potential benefits. You then choose to go through family mediation to try and agree on arrangements for your child or opt to ask the court to decide.
Mediation can have several advantages, including being faster and more cost-effective than litigation. It also gives you more control over both the process and the outcome and can help parents to work together in the future to parent their children.
We are experienced in helping parents navigate the mediation process and can advise you of the choices you can make when working out new arrangements for your family. If it is necessary for the court to decide matters, we will ensure you have the strongest possible case and that you are represented by an expert child law advocate.
Find out more about our child arrangement orders services.
Child care proceedings
When social services intervene in family life, it can be extremely upsetting. If allegations are made about the care provided or there is a risk that your child could be taken into care, you are strongly advised to speak to a solicitor straightaway.
At hpjv Solicitors, we know how difficult this will be for you and you will find our child care solicitors to be supportive and understanding. We will step in at once to give you the representation and advice you need and ensure that you understand exactly what is happening.
Our children law solicitors in Cardiff have many years of experience in representing parents during child care proceedings. If an application is made by the local authority or other party for a care order, a placement order or a special guardianship order, we will make sure that your case is robustly presented.
The Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass) may appoint a representative to deal with you and we will liaise with them as necessary to help them form a clear picture of your family situation.
We will ensure that you are thoroughly prepared before any hearings and that you have our support as well as representation by an expert child care proceedings advocate.
Where necessary, we can challenge care orders on your behalf.
You may be entitled to legal aid, and if you call to speak to us, we can discuss this with you.
Find out more about our child care proceedings services.
Child name change
If you want to formally change your child’s name or you want to prevent your child’s name from being changed by their other parent, we can represent you.
To change a child’s name officially so that their new name can be used on documents such as their passport and on government records, this requires a change of name deed. A change of name deed needs to be consented to by everyone with parental responsibility for the child. If consent is given, we can prepare this document.
However, without consent, every person with parental responsibility, usually their parents, can object to the change and put their case to the court, explaining why they do not want it to happen.
Older children also have the right to express their opinion to the court, including objecting if they do not want a new name or wish to change it.
The court will always prioritise what it believes to be in a child’s best interests. We can work with you to set out why you feel it is right to change your child’s name or keep it the same and put these points to the court in a persuasive way.
At 16, a child can decide to change their name, although they will still need the signed agreement of everyone who holds parental responsibility. At 18, they can choose to change their name without anyone’s consent.
Find out more about our child name change services.
Children in care
Having a child taken into care can be very distressing and you need a solicitor on your side to ensure that your rights are observed and that the right process is followed in dealing with your child’s legal situation.
Our child care team members are experts in this complex area of law and can step in to protect your interests and that of your child.
We suggest that you contact us as soon as possible if you are notified that action is being taken. We deal with a full range of care proceedings, including:
- Care orders and interim care orders
- Supervision orders
- Police protection orders
- Emergency protection orders
- Placement orders
- Adoption orders
We will represent you in seeking the right outcome for your family, to include requesting contact with a child in care and details of their whereabouts. We will help you through the process of dealing with care proceedings, including advising you before hearings, ensuring you understand what is being asked of you, for example, in a child protection plan, and representing you at child protection conferences.
You may be eligible for legal aid to cover your representation in some child care proceedings.
Find out more about our children in care services.
Our children law solicitors in Cardiff fees
We will make sure that you have clear costs information at the outset. We offer excellent value for money and can provide fixed fee work for some issues. To discuss the issue of costs and whether you are eligible for legal aid, please feel free to call us today.
Our expertise in child law advice and representation
Our family solicitors have many years of experience in providing expert children legal advice. We are known for being caring and approachable and we will always go the extra mile to give you the expert representation and advice you need at what is likely to be a difficult time.
We are committed to resolving child law matters with minimal conflict. Our team includes a member of Resolution, the family law organisation dedicated to dealing with issues constructively.
We also hold Law Society accreditations for Family Law Advanced matters and Children Law.
To find out more about our services, see our family law solicitors in Cardiff page.
We also offer a full range of divorce services in Cardiff.
Speak to our children law solicitors in Cardiff today
For more information on the services provided by our expert child law solicitors in Cardiff, South Wales, call us on 02921 304 307or send us an enquiry.
