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Your rights and responsibilities

Parental Responsibility

At Nelsons, we recognise that parental responsibility is a crucial aspect of family law. It refers to the legal rights and responsibilities that a parent has towards their child. This includes making decisions about their education, health care, and overall welfare. Understanding your rights and obligations is essential for ensuring the best outcomes for your children.

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Who has parental responsibility?

In the UK, parental responsibility is typically held by:

  • Biological parents – Mothers automatically have responsibility. Fathers gain it if they are married to the mother or listed on the birth certificate.
  • Adoptive parents – Once the adoption is finalised, adoptive parents gain full parental responsibility.
  • Guardians – Individuals appointed as guardians can also acquire responsibility.

Why is parental responsibility important?

Parental responsibility is vital for:

  • Decision-making – It allows parents to make significant decisions regarding their child’s upbringing.
  • Legal rights – It ensures that parents can act in their child’s best interests, including matters of education and health.
  • Stability – Clear understanding of parental rights fosters a stable environment for children.

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 agreement, which is appropriate where responsibility is agreed upon between you and your partner.

Our fixed fee 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.

Please note that we can only advise on a Legal Aid basis for public law/care proceedings.

Meet the team

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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:Parental Responsibility

  • Resolution Accredited Specialists
  • Law Society Family Panel & Advanced Family Panel members
  • Law Society Children Panel Members

Our expertise in family law is recognised by the independent directories, The Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners.

Testimonials…

  • “Accomplished practice noted for both matrimonial and childcare matters. Appropriately equipped to assist with public and private children law, including adoptions, child abductions and non-accidental injury cases..."

    Chambers and Partners
  • "...Active in high-value financial remedy matters, including those involving trusts, commercial assets and cross-border aspects.”

    Chambers and Partners (Continued)
  • "Nelsons...has an experienced family and children law practice, and is noted for its strength in cases with an international element. The family team...regularly advises high-net-worth individuals on financial relief cases..."

    The Legal 500
  • "Nelsons...is a leading firm in family law. They represent people from all walks of life and always give 110% to all of their cases. Their diversity is exceptional..."

    The Legal 500 2023
  • "...Unlike other solicitors they are always on hand to speak by phone or email, night or day or weekend. They will take the most challenging pro bono cases to ensure that clients have the best representation and advocacy."

    The Legal 500 2023 (Continued)
  • "Midlands powerhouse Nelsons Solicitors Limited houses family law specialists in each of its three offices..."

    The Legal 500 2023
  • "Superb family law team, class A and the absolute go to in children law and financial relief on divorce. They far outweigh their competitors in every aspect..."

    Referee feedback provided to The Legal 500 2024
  • "...The people provide hands on support and client care from the outset concentrating on strategy and approach. Given their wealth of experience, they are financially competitive."

    Referee feedback provided to The Legal 500 2024 (Continued)
  • "Nelsons are an well-established and highly respected firm, deservedly so. They cover a number of disciplines with the utmost professionalism. They are a pleasure to deal with and prominent in the local legal community."

    Referee feedback provided to The Legal 500 2024

To discuss how our solicitors can help you or for further details of our fixed fee parental responsibility agreement service, please contact us via our online form or call 0800 024 1976 for a guaranteed response.

Make an enquiry

If you wish to contact us, please complete the form below. A member of our team will be in touch as soon as possible. When you submit this form, you are consenting to a member of our team to contact you via phone or email regarding your request. We encourage you to review our Privacy Notice for detailed information on how we manage and protect your data.

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Parental Responsibility FAQS

Below, we have answered some frequently asked questions concerning parental responsibility advice

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