How to care for your child or children is something separating couples can often find difficult to agree on. If a couple cannot agree on what will happen to their children, then the next step may be to apply for a Child Arrangement Order.
A Child Arrangement Order is an order from the Court, which details the arrangements for a child, including where the child will live and how they will spend time with each parent. Such an order made by the Court is legally binding on the parents of the child.
Types of court order
The type of court order you need depends on what you’ve been unable to agree on. You can apply for more than one court order.
Arrangements for your child
A ‘child arrangements order’ decides:
- where your child lives
- when your child spends time with each parent
- when and what other types of contact take place (phone calls, for example)
Your child’s upbringing
A ‘specific issue order’ is used to look at a specific question about how the child is being brought up, for example:
- what school they go to
- if they should have a religious education
You can also apply for a ‘prohibited steps order’ to stop the other parent from making a decision about the child’s upbringing.
Who can apply:
- The child’s mother
- father
- anyone with parental responsibility
can apply for a court order.