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Child Arrangement Orders

Making Your Family Life Easier

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What Are Child Arrangement Orders, and Why Would You Need a Barrister for Them?

Child arrangement orders are legal decisions made by the court about where children will live and how their time will be divided between parents following a divorce or separation.

These orders cover important areas such as child custody, visitation rights, and sometimes even decisions about schooling and healthcare.

// Family Law

Child Arrangement Orders & You

You might need a barrister for a child arrangement order if you and your ex-partner cannot agree on what’s best for your children. These disputes are emotionally charged, and trying to navigate them alone can be overwhelming. A barrister provides clear, focused advice and represents your interests in court, ensuring that your child’s welfare is the priority.

Protect your child's future: I’ll ensure the court’s decision reflects your child’s best interests, covering living arrangements, schooling, and healthcare.

Avoid stressful disputes: A barrister helps reduce conflict by handling the legal complexities, letting you focus on your child’s well-being.

Secure fair contact arrangements: Whether it's custody or visitation, I’ll advocate for an arrangement that works for you and supports your child's needs.

Before you Get a Child Arrangemet Order...

Before applying for a child arrangement order, it’s important to understand that the court’s main priority is your child’s welfare. Every decision will focus on their best interests, from where they live to how often they see each parent. It’s not about winning or losing—it’s about finding the best solution for your child’s future.

If you and your ex-partner can’t agree, having a barrister ensures you have expert representation to navigate this emotionally charged process. I'll guide you through each step, making sure you’re fully prepared and that your child’s well-being is front and centre throughout

// Family Law - Children's Order

Family Life Needn't Be filled With Conflict

Protect your child's future:

The court’s main focus in any children’s order is your child’s welfare. Decisions about where they live, their schooling, and healthcare all revolve around what is in their best interests.

Statistics show that 36% of child custody cases in the UK involve disputes over living arrangements, which can impact long-term outcomes for children.

By hiring a barrister, you ensure that these key decisions are approached with care, ensuring your child’s future is secure and well planned.

Avoid stressful disputes

Disagreements over child custody can escalate quickly, causing unnecessary stress for both parents and children.

A barrister helps to minimise this by handling the legal complexities and reducing direct conflict. According to the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass), cases involving family disputes that go to court can take up to 12 months.

Having a barrister by your side can help streamline the process, allowing you to focus on your child’s emotional well-being instead of being dragged into prolonged legal battles.

Secure fair contact arrangements

Child contact disputes are common, with around 62% of separated parents seeking legal assistance to determine visitation rights and access.

As your barrister, I’ll work to ensure that any contact arrangements are fair and workable, whether you are the primary carer or seeking visitation.

These arrangements are vital for maintaining your relationship with your child, and having legal representation helps prevent unfair outcomes.

// Family Law & Children's Orders

Why Child Arrangement Orders Are Essential

Without a child arrangement order in place, things can quickly become chaotic.

Verbal agreements may fall apart, leading to disputes about living arrangements, schooling, and visitation.

You might find yourself constantly negotiating with your ex-partner, which can create a stressful environment for your child.

Worse, without a legal framework, there’s no way to enforce the agreement if one parent decides not to cooperate.

According to Cafcass, unresolved custody disputes can cause long-term emotional harm to children.

A child arrangement order provides clarity, stability, and protection, ensuring your child's needs are properly met and reducing the risk of ongoing conflict.

Arlene Small

Specialist Family Barrister

// Family Law

What People Say

Francesca Ononye Solicitor

“Arlene Small is extremely knowledgeable in anything family law and practice. What I found more compelling though was her ability to put my clients at ease even in very difficult and complex situations.”

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Gill Hadley Insolvency Lawyer

“Arlene is absolutely fabulous. Her work, her commitment to others and above all her passion to do what’s right, just makes the person she is. Arlene is a real credit to her profession.”

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Ms L F

“I have used Arlene Small for a few years now to assist with multiple family court hearings. I have nothing but the up most respect and gratitude for this amazing woman! She is so on the ball, her ability to retain information, think on her feet and her attention to detail is outstanding

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Get in Touch

When it comes to your child’s future, you need someone who will truly fight your corner. I specialise in ensuring that the court’s decisions reflect what’s best for your child, whether it’s living arrangements, schooling, or healthcare. With years of experience in family law, I know how to navigate even the most complex cases. I’ll handle the legal side, so you can focus on what matters most—your child’s well-being.

// Family Law

Don't Fall at the first hurdle with Child Arrangement Orders

Can’t I handle a child arrangement order myself?

While it’s possible to represent yourself, children’s orders can be legally complex and emotionally charged.

A barrister ensures that you avoid common pitfalls and that your child’s best interests are represented clearly and effectively in court.

Without expert guidance, you risk an outcome that doesn’t fully meet your or your child’s needs.

How does a barrister help with child custody disputes?

A barrister provides clear, strategic advice and represents you in court, ensuring your rights as a parent are fully considered.

They can present your case in a way that reflects your child’s welfare, avoiding the stress of handling everything on your own.

With me, you’ll have a strong advocate who understands the legal nuances of custody disputes.

Will having a barrister speed up the process?

Yes, having a barrister often speeds things up.

Legal processes can drag on without proper representation, especially if paperwork is incomplete or arguments are not well-prepared.

A barrister helps streamline the case, avoiding unnecessary delays and ensuring that the court has all the information it needs to make a timely decision.

What if my ex-partner and I can’t agree on anything?

In high-conflict situations, a barrister is essential.

They act as a neutral third party, keeping discussions focused on your child’s best interests.

A barrister can represent you in court, making sure the decisions are fair and legally sound, without the back-and-forth arguing that can happen when parents disagree.