Agreements and Orders
Parental responsibility laws govern the rights, responsibilities and authority someone has in relation to a child and gives legal status in relation to their health, education and welfare.
Disputes over who has responsibility for children can arise after relationship breakdowns. At Nelsons, our team of expert children law solicitors can help resolve all types of child issues and disputes.
Who has parental responsibility?
Mothers automatically have parental responsibility. A father of a child born after 1st December 2003 (who is named on the birth certificate and was present when the birth was being registered) shares parental responsibility with the mother. Otherwise, a father does not acquire it, unless:
- The parents of the child are married;
- The parents enter a parental responsibility agreement;
- A Court makes a parental responsibility order; or
- There is a step-parent parental responsibility agreement.
Parental responsibility is retained even if the parents separate and regardless of who the child lives with.
Any other person who is granted a residence order by a Court will also be granted parental responsibility for as long as the order is in force.
How Nelsons can help
Our specialist Children Law team in Derby, Leicester and Nottingham are experts in parental responsibility laws. We can offer a fixed fee parental responsibility agreement for £100 (plus VAT), which is appropriate where parental responsibility is agreed upon between you and your partner.
Our fixed fee parental responsibility agreement service includes:
- Drafting the agreement.
- Arranging for the agreement to be signed.
- Lodging the agreement at the Family Division of the Court.
- Sending you a sealed and registered copy of the agreement.
Entering into negotiations with the other parent is not included in this cost, however.
We can also assist with parental orders for non-biological parents, same-sex families and surrogate parents.
Our expertise
Our children and family law solicitors have a reputation as leaders in our field, and our experience ensures that we will give you expert advice about your circumstances.
Our team includes:
- Resolution Accredited Specialists
- Law Society Family Panel & Advanced Family Panel members
- Law Society Children Panel Members
Our expertise in family law is also recognised by the independent directories, The Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners.
The team was also shortlisted for the ‘Family Law Firm of the Year: Midlands and Wales’ award at the Family Law Awards 2021.