Divorce or separation can be an intensely difficult time, not least because it can involve making tough decisions about your children. It can often be overwhelming trying to make decisions on elements like where your children will live, how much time they will spend with each parent, and what contact should look like. This is particularly true if discussions with the other parent are tense, or even breaking down completely. These arrangements are some of the most important decisions you’ll make, and they need to focus on your child’s stability and wellbeing.
That’s where we come in at Fisher Jones Greenwood. With over 40 years of experience supporting families across Essex, and deep roots in Chelmsford itself, our child arrangement order solicitors in Chelmsford are here to help you through the process from start to finish. We can help guide you through negotiation, mediation, or court applications, so you can have peace of mind that your child’s needs are properly prioritised.
A Child Arrangements Order is a decision made by the Family Court that sets out where a child lives, how much time they spend with each parent, and the type of contact that takes place. This might include visits, phone calls, or video contact. (These orders replaced the former residence and contact orders following the Children and Families Act of 2014.)
If parents cannot agree on suitable arrangements, one or both can apply to the court. The court will then make a decision based on what it considers to be in the child’s best interests. In addition to deciding on residence and contact, the court can also include other issues such as education, medical care, or religious upbringing. Sometimes, related orders may also be issued, such as Prohibited Steps Orders to prevent certain actions, or Specific Issue Orders to settle a particular dispute.
Disputes about schooling or relocation are not uncommon in Chelmsford due to its position as a commuter city with strong links to London, and these can often form part of a Child Arrangements Order.
What factors do courts consider when making a Child Arrangement Order?
The court always places the child’s welfare first. To do this, judges use the welfare checklist under the Children Act 1989, which involves considering:
Reports from CAFCASS (Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service) are also a key part of the process, with their primary aim being to help the court assess safeguarding concerns and make informed decisions.
Who can apply for a Child Arrangements Order?
Applications are most often made by parents, but other people with a meaningful role in a child’s life can also apply. This includes guardians, special guardians, step-parents, or anyone with parental responsibility. A spouse or civil partner of a parent may apply, as can someone who has lived with the child for at least three years. In certain circumstances, grandparents or extended family members may also apply, though they may need the court’s permission to do so. (This is also not unusual in Chelmsford, where extended families often play an active role in childcare.)
Whatever the background of the case, the process generally begins with mediation. This gives both parents a chance to reach an agreement with the support of an independent mediator. Before applying to the court, it’s normally necessary to attend a Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting (MIAM). Our Chelmsford solicitors can arrange this on your behalf, and guide you through every subsequent stage.
There are exceptions where mediation is not required, such as cases involving domestic abuse or urgent concerns about a child’s welfare. If mediation doesn’t work, or if it isn’t suitable for your case, we can help you submit an application to the Family Court. The court will then arrange a first hearing, with CAFCASS providing a safeguarding report. In straightforward cases, an agreement may be finalised at this point. If not, the court will set out next steps, which may include further mediation, detailed reports, or a final hearing where a judge makes the decision.
Since families in Chelmsford will usually have their cases dealt with by local courts, our solicitors can advise you on what to expect from the court process in the city.
Once a Child Arrangements Order is made, it usually lasts until the child turns 16, though in some cases it can continue until they are 18. Orders can be varied later if circumstances change, either by agreement or through another court application.
That depends. Timings generally vary depending on how complex the case is, how much agreement can be reached, and the availability of the court. Some straightforward cases are resolved within a few months, especially if parents can agree quickly. More complex cases, or those involving safeguarding issues, may take a year or longer.
It’s also worth noting that for various reasons, courts may sometimes face delays, which can extend the process. However, urgent cases that involve risks to a child’s welfare can be fast-tracked. The court will always take the time it needs to ensure arrangements are safe, appropriate, and in the child’s best interests.
At Fisher Jones Greenwood, we’ve been advising and representing families in Chelmsford and across Essex for more than four decades. Several of our solicitors are members of Resolution, reflecting our commitment to constructive approaches in family law. Operating today under the umbrella of the nationally-renowned Lawfront Group, our team of child custody lawyers in Chelmsford includes solicitors with specialist expertise and professional accreditations, enabling us to provide full support with every aspect of child arrangements.
For example, we can help you negotiate agreements, guide you through mediation, prepare and submit applications to the Family Court, and advise on enforcing or varying orders if circumstances change. We also have a strong track record of assisting grandparents and extended family in securing contact, and acting swiftly in urgent cases where a child’s safety is at risk.
You can visit our child custody lawyers at:
Fisher Jones Greenwood LLP
16 Baddow Road
Chelmsford
Essex
CM2 0DG
Our Chelmsford office is fully accessible, with ground-floor meeting rooms and a large boardroom on the second floor, accessible by lift. Toilet facilities are available on the ground and first floors, with a dedicated disabled toilet on the ground floor. We are a short walk from Chelmsford High Street and about 10 minutes from Chelmsford railway station. Paid public parking is available nearby at Q-Park Meadows (CM2 0DG) and Baddow Road Car Park (CM2 7PJ).
If you need legal support with a child arrangement order in Chelmsford, you’re in exactly the right place. We provide a number of ways to contact us, including:
Whatever the background of your case, we’ll always take the time to understand your circumstances, explain your options clearly, and provide the legal support you need to achieve arrangements that work for you and your child.
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