How old does a child have to be to refuse visitation in the UK?
My child is refusing to go … Sorting out child arrangements for your children is often one of the most important things following separation. Questions arise: Where are the children going to live? How often will I see them? Will they spend time with both of us equally? What about alternative weekends? These are just […]
Is family mediation free?
Can I get free family mediation? Family mediation is a form of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR). ADR are methods that you can use to try and resolve disputes without having to go to Court. Family mediation services itself involves the use of an independent third party, your mediator, who will support you to resolve issues […]
How much contact am I entitled to with my child as a father?
How much contact am I entitled to with my child as a father? This blog post will discuss your rights as a father to have contact with your child. The word “contact” has been used to replace “access”, but these words are often use interchangeably in day-to-day conversation. Similarly, the word “custody” has since been […]
How can I see my child without going to court?
How can I see my child without going to court? It is common knowledge that by going to court you can seek an order to gain custody or access to your child or children. It is not common knowledge, that there are various other ways to agree child arrangements with your ex-partner. As a caring […]
What is an amicable divorce?
What is an amicable divorce? Couples who decide to a divorce can be faced with a complex and emotional journey. This journey will likely involve disputes between you, such as child arrangements, finances, or property. These disputes, however emotional, have to be managed and if at all possible, it best to try and be amicable […]
Can a mother stop a father seeing his child in the UK?
The short answer is ‘it depends’. If you are a parent, who is being denied time with your child, this is not the answer that you want to hear. If you are a parent, who is concerned for a child’s wellbeing, it might also be frustrating to hear. However, at the heart of family law […]
Family dispute resolution – Everything you need to know
What is family dispute resolution? Family Dispute Resolution is something that is used to try and sort out disputes that arise within the family without using the Courts. Families experience conflict, but sometimes this can be to an extent where it is causing a lot of strain to those involved. At Direct Mediation Services we […]
CAFCASS and Grandparent’s Rights
CAFCASS and Grandparent’s Rights It is sadly a common case for grandparents to have reduced contact – or no contact at all – with their grandchildren after the breakdown of a marriage or a separation within the family unit. A separation or a martial breakdown is a very challenging time for the whole family, but […]
CAFCASS Parenting Plan
Understanding the CAFCASS Parenting Plan A Parenting Plan is a written document that plans how parents intend to parent their children following separation or divorce. You can use a Parenting Plan to set out how you intend for child arrangements to work, without the need to go through the Courts. The purpose of the Parenting […]
Family Court urgent applications uk
Urgent and emergency child arrangements applications Urgent Applications to the Family Court The urgency of resolving issues around your children cannot be underestimated. Your children, after all, are your number one priority. A family mediation service is one way of resolving these issues but unfortunately is not always the right way, leaving parents with no […]