Child Contact & Access Solicitors

The reality of breaking up is that any children of the relationship cannot continue living with both parents full-time. You and your ex-partner will need to come to an agreement about how you will share childcare. Our friendly children law solicitors can help with this.

Devonalds Solicitors has been recognised by the Law Society with the Children Law accreditation for our expertise in this area. We have loads of experience helping parents work out contact arrangements so they can continue to play a huge part in their child’s life and help parents reach the best outcome for their children. We will make sure your feelings are heard in what is likely to be a difficult and emotional time.

‘Child arrangements’ is the new word for ‘residence’ and ‘contact’ (and ‘residence’ and ‘contact’ used to be known as ‘custody’ and ‘access’). We know this can be a bit confusing, but you don’t have to worry about the legal jargon. We’ll explain all your options in simple language, so you know exactly what’s happening and how your case is progressing.

Most child contact and access matters can be sorted out without having to go to court, which can help make the process easier for you and your children. However, our children law solicitors can also represent you during court proceedings if this is the best option for you.

Book your 1-hour fixed fee consultation with our child contact solicitors in Bridgend and Rhondda Cynon Taff

We can offer you a 1-hour fixed fee consultation to talk you through your options and how you feel your situation is affecting you and your children. At this meeting, we’ll give you some initial advice about what you can do, how we can help, and our costs for helping you.

After this meeting, you’ll have a chance to go away and decide whether we’re the right lawyers for you – there’s no obligation to continue with us.

We have offices across Rhondda Cynon Taff in Bridgend, Caerphilly, Church Village, Pontypridd, Talbot Green, Tonypandy, Treorchy and Tylorstown, where you can come and meet us to discuss your matter. We’re also happy to speak to you in any way convenient to you, including using video link software.

So, if you need legal advice about a family issue involving children, get in touch with us today for compassionate and cost-effective advice for you and your family.

Why choose Devonalds for child contact and access advice

Relationship breakdown is really hard on children, especially if their parents are in conflict about where they will live.

Working out contact and access is often the most challenging part of separation, divorce or dissolution, because of course, both parents want to spend as much time with their children as possible. Issues may also arise with other family members, such as grandparents, over contact with children. Without the right support, it’s easy for disagreements to escalate and end up in court.

At Devonalds, we are dedicated to helping families find positive solutions to difficult problems. Our approach is welcoming, practical and child-centred. We’ll always put the welfare of your children first to help you find a solution that works for you.

With over 30 years of experience representing parents and children, we have been independently recognised by the Law Society with the Children Law Accreditation. We are also members of Resolution, a family law network focusing on finding out-of-court solutions for family issues. Our solicitors for child access have also been associated with the Association of Lawyers for Children and the Grandparents Association.

How do I get access to see my child?

It can be very worrying when you break up with your partner and your children go to live with them. Many co-parents use informal arrangements for child contact with non-resident parents. However, with an informal arrangement, it’s hard to know what rights you have, for example, to see your child whenever you want and whether you have the right to keep your child overnight.

There is also sometimes the risk of the resident parent preventing contact and stopping the other parent from seeing their child. In most cases, it’s possible to work out a voluntary agreement with the help of a solicitor or mediator. Or, as a last resort, you can apply to court for a Child Arrangements Order. Our child contact solicitors can help with voluntary agreements and court proceedings.

How our specialist child access solicitors can help

Voluntary co-parenting plans

It’s often possible to come to an agreement with your ex-partner about contact simply by talking. It’s useful to have a solicitor to help with this as we can help guide your conversations, provide advice about your agreement and put your agreement in writing.

All this can be done without going to court, which can make everything easier to deal with for you and especially for your children.

Once you have made an agreement, it is usually a good idea to apply to court to turn it into a legally binding Consent Order. However, you usually do not need to go to court to do this. Our child contact solicitors can help you obtain a Consent Order.

Alternative Dispute Resolution

Processes such as mediation can be really helpful for parents who are finding it hard to come to a voluntary agreement about contact or access.

Mediation involves attending sessions with your ex-partner to try to negotiate an agreement with the help of a trained mediator. The mediator’s role is neutral. They guide your discussions, but they don’t take sides or tell you what to do.

Mediation has a great track record of success. We can advise you about going to mediation and can also provide advice about any agreement you make at mediation.

Child Arrangements Orders

It’s not always possible to agree on child access voluntarily. Court is always an option for parents who need someone to make a decision on their behalf.

Either parent can apply for a Child Arrangements Order to set out where children will live and how much contact they will have with each parent. We can represent you during court proceedings, including preparing court documentation and accompanying you to hearings.

Other ways our children law solicitors can help

When you and your partner separate, there are lots of children-related matters you may need help with. As well as advice about contact, you may need advice about making decisions about a child’s upbringing, changing their name or taking them abroad.

Visit our Arrangements for Children page for more information about how our children law solicitors can help.

Book your 1-hour fixed fee consultation with our child contact solicitors in Bridgend and Rhondda Cynon Taff

We can offer you a 1-hour fixed fee consultation to talk you through your options and how you feel your situation is affecting you and your children. At this meeting, we’ll give you some initial advice about what you can do, how we can help, and our costs for helping you.

After this meeting, you’ll have a chance to go away and decide whether we’re the right lawyers for you – there’s no obligation to continue with us.

We have offices across Rhondda Cynon Taff in Bridgend, Caerphilly, Church Village, Pontypridd, Talbot Green, Tonypandy, Treorchy and Tylorstown, where you can come and meet us to discuss your matter. We’re also happy to speak to you in any way convenient to you, including using video link software.

So, if you need legal advice about a family issue involving children, get in touch with us today for compassionate and cost-effective advice for you and your family.