Parental Responsibility and Finances
At Onions & Davies Solicitors, we pride ourselves on providing specialist private children law legal guidance for parents seeking advice and representation on parental responsibility and finances. Our dedicated family law team has extensive experience in navigating the complex legalities surrounding all private child law matters and disputes.
Understanding Parental Responsibility
Parental responsibility refers to the legal rights, duties, and responsibilities that a parent has for their child(ren) outlined in The Children Act 1989, which establishes the foundation for the welfare and wellbeing of the child. These rights include making key decisions regarding the child’s care and upbringing and those relating to education, health, welfare, and even the child’s name.
Our highly experienced private children law solicitors are well-versed in dealing with cases involving parental responsibility and can advise and represent you on various aspects, including:
- Establishing parental responsibility.
- Disputes over the exercise of parental responsibility.
- Removing parental responsibility.
- Applications for court orders such as child arrangements orders, prohibited steps orders and specific issue orders.
Get in touch with our specialist family law team at sols@onionsanddavies.co.uk for compassionate guidance and tailored legal solutions in private children law matters – we are here to support you every step of the way.
Establishing Parental Responsibility
Biological mothers are automatically granted parental responsibility upon the birth of the child. However, it is important to note that a mother’s parental responsibility can be revoked through a court order, such as an adoption order. If a father is married to the child’s mother at the time of birth, he automatically shares parental responsibility. Divorce does not strip a father of this responsibility. Additionally, if the father’s name is listed on the birth certificate from 1st December 2003, he also has parental responsibility. Fathers can also obtain parental responsibility through a parental responsibility agreement (Form C, PRA1) with the child’s mother or a parental responsibility order from the court.
Parental Responsibility Agreements or Parental Responsibility Orders can be obtained if you are not automatically entitled to parental responsibility for a child, including for:
- A stepparent
- Parents through surrogacy
- Anyone who has been granted a Live With (Residence Order)
In the case of same-sex partners, parental responsibility depends on whether they are civil or non-civil partners. If the partners are in a civil partnership during fertility treatment or donor insemination, both individuals automatically have parental responsibility. Non-civil partners, however, need to apply for a parental responsibility agreement to obtain parental responsibility.
Financial Support for Children
Securing fair financial support for a child is crucial in safeguarding their wellbeing and future. Our family law team is highly skilled in handling cases related to finances in private children law, ensuring that your child’s financial needs are met.
We can assist you with matters such as Child maintenance agreements and enforcing child support payments. We can advise and assist you with making an application under Children Act 1989, Schedule 1, which gives the court power to make financial provision for children. Our experienced family law team at Onions & Davies is dedicated to helping parents navigate the complexities of parental responsibility and finances in child law.
Schedule a Fixed Fee Appointment with Our Experienced Family Law Team
Come and see our friendly family law solicitors, Louise Martin or Simeon Bowen-Fanstone, for a no-obligation fixed fee appointment. Gain the information and support you need to make informed decisions regarding your Private Law Children matters.
You can contact the team at sharon@onionsanddavies.co.uk or 01630 652405.
Contact Us
© 2018 Onions & Davies. Onions & Davies Solicitors is the trading name of Onions & Davies Ltd, Company Reg. No. 8322297, Registered Office address: 91 Cheshire Street, Market Drayton, Shropshire, TF9 3AF. Onions & Davies is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA ID Number: 607617)