When a relationship breaks down and there are children involved, matters can become extremely complex, and of course there could be a great deal of acrimony to deal with as well. Deciding where the child or children will live, and with whom, is never easy and it’s rarely straightforward. Many parents will end up having to go through legal channels to get what’s best for everyone.
Residence and Contact refer to what we also know as custody and visitation rights. Residence in this case means where the children live and who cares for them, usually but not always a parent. Contact is what’s granted to the other parent, often the father, and details when contact can be made and, in some cases, under what specific circumstances.
Many ex-couples are able to establish their own arrangements, and will be able to adhere to them with little or no argument, but this isn’t the case with many others. Disputes can easily occur, for example, when visitations are not allowed, when a parent fails to turn up, who that person might associate with or where he or she takes the child on any given day.
In circumstances such as these, it’s often best for all parties to seek legal help in drawing up bespoke agreements that suit all relevant needs. Here at MML Law, we’ve been involved in many cases regarding Residence or Contact, and we know how stressful and upsetting they can be for parents, carers, grandparents and of course the children themselves.
Reaching a mutual agreement isn’t always going to be easy, especially when emotions are running high, but our team will focus on the needs of our client and the best possible outcome for him or her. There will be occasions when arbitration or mediation will solve the impasse, but there will also be times when the only sensible course of action will be to proceed through the law courts.
It perhaps goes without saying that any issues regarding the care of children, especially after a parental break-up, will require a sensitive and understanding approach. Our years of experience and our in-depth knowledge of the legalities in this field make MML Law the ideal choice for mothers, fathers or other concerned parties.
We understand that it’s not easy to make an initial approach to a legal specialist, especially over such an emotional issue, but we can promise a sympathetic approach right from the start. Our initial consultation will help to put you at ease, and when we know the facts of the situation we will then present your options in a clear and concise manner. Child Residence and Contact cases need to be handled carefully at all times.
If you’d like to find out more about what can and can’t be done in your particular case, all it takes is a phone call to MML Law. We can be contacted on 01382 206 000, and we look forward to helping you at this difficult time. We hope you’ll get in touch very soon.
