Parental Responsibility

Getting divorced can be tough. Losing contact with your children can be devastating. But it doesn’t have to be that way.

Parental Responsibility

Unless your child is adopted, the biological mother, and the father if he’s named on the birth certificate, have Parental Responsibility. This means you have rights in relation to your child. If you don’t have Parental Responsibility, you may be able to apply for it.

But what can you do if your rights aren’t being respected?

We’re here to help find an amicable solution

For many, seeking legal advice is seen as a last resort. But it needn’t be. We believe in finding solutions quickly and amicably, without the need for costly legal action.

Some common myths:

‘She’s making it impossible for me to see the children.’

Put simply, it’s not OK, or legal, for either parent to behave in a way that negatively impacts the interests of the child. We can help you gain contact with your child.

‘He keeps turning up late, which upsets the children, but there’s nothing I can do.’

Wrong, there is something you can do. You have rights to protect your children, and can take steps to prevent bad behaviour. This can often be resolved simply with a letter.

‘The mother always gets the children.’

Once often the case, parenting is now frequently shared, with children having two homes, one with mum, one with dad. You just need to decide how much time is spent at each home. Children also have some input in the decision.

 ‘I have no say in which school the kids to go.’

If the children live with one parent, this doesn’t give that parent the right to call all the shots. Important decisions such as the choice of school, medical treatment beyond regular check-ups, and a change of surname, require all holders of Parental Responsibility to agree.

Contact our Family Department to see how we can help resolve your differences amicably.