How our child access solicitors can help
When it’s tough to agree on visitation or you need help ironing out the details of a parenting plan, our child access solicitors are here to guide you. With expertise in family law, they’ll walk you through every step. Here’s how Lawhive can help:
Exploring your options | Your solicitor will carefully assess each parent’s rights and focus on what’s best for your child. They’ll help identify practical and fair access arrangements, tailored to your family’s needs. |
Creating access agreements and court orders | Our team can draft access agreements that prioritise your child’s welfare. If a parent doesn’t stick to the agreed terms, we can help create legally binding orders that ensure clear consequences for any breaches. |
Representing you in court or mediation | When disagreements arise, your solicitor can represent you in court or mediation sessions. They’ll work to resolve disputes while keeping your child’s well-being at the heart of every decision. |
Modifying existing access arrangements | Life changes, and so do family dynamics. Whether a parent relocates or other circumstances shift, our solicitors can help modify existing arrangements to ensure they stay fair and workable for everyone involved. |
Why choose Lawhive for a child access lawyer?
Navigating child access arrangements can be an emotional and stressful process. At Lawhive, we’re here to make it simpler, faster, and less overwhelming. With our network of expert child access solicitors across the UK, we’ll connect you with the right professional to help you find a solution that prioritizes your child’s best interests.
Child law experts: Family law can be complex, and child access cases require sensitivity and expertise. Whether you’re negotiating a new visitation agreement, modifying an existing one, or addressing a breach of terms, we’ll match you with a solicitor who understands how to protect your child’s welfare.
Fixed fees with no surprises: We believe in transparency. That’s why we’ll provide a clear, fixed-fee quote upfront - no hidden costs, no unexpected bills. You’ll have all the information you need to make an informed decision, with no pressure or obligations to proceed.
Affordable child access lawyers: We think high-quality legal support should be accessible to everyone. Our services can be up to 50% more affordable than traditional high street firms, but with the same expert guidance and care you deserve.
Speedy legal help: Time matters when it comes to your family. That’s why we’ll connect you with a family solicitor within two working days, often even faster. From the first consultation, we’ll work to ensure a smooth, efficient process.
How much does a solicitor for child access cost?
With Lawhive, the average cost for a child arrangement or residency service can be up to £596 (excluding any court fees). However, every case will be unique and your fee will be completely tailored to you. Contact us today and we'll give you a free, fixed-fee quote that is customised to the exact service you need.
Fees for drafting access agreements
The typical costs involved in drafting a child access agreement include initial solicitor consultations to understand the needs of parents and children. Once the initial guidance stage has been completed, your child access solicitor will begin to draft a legal document containing the terms and clauses that govern the visitation rights of the non-custodial parent.
Types of child access arrangements
There are several types of child access arrangements that your solicitor can guide you on. Some of the most common include:
Regular visitation schedules
In situations where children spend most of their time with one parent, solicitors can help in making child arrangement orders (CAOs) to formalise regular visitation schedules. Our solicitors can formalise legally binding visitation schedules including weekend or holiday visits to suit family needs. A CAO also specifies where a child lives, with who and who they can have contact with. They can include flexible or unsupervised visits and specify whether a child can have phone contact with others.
Shared custody and joint access
Shared child custody arrangements also known as joint access, are legal arrangements which specify how both parents are involved in a child’s life after they separate. In shared custody cases, both parents share responsibility for bringing up their child. This means they can both make decisions about their education, healthcare and religious upbringing. Children may or may not spend equal time with both parents, however, shared custody allows a child to form strong relationships with both parents.
Supervised visitation
Supervised visitation is where a parent can only visit the child when supervised by another adult. It may be ordered by the courts when:
Violence to the child or other parent has occurred or is likely
There have been issues of past substance abuse or neglect
When a parent is re-entering a child’s life after a long gap
There is a risk of abduction
Supervised visitation puts limits on how a child and parent can spend time together while facilitating contact in extraordinary circumstances. Those supervising the visit, typically a social worker, will make notes about what happens during contact. Written observations can be used to support future visits and can be used as evidence in court.
Long-distance visitation agreements
Arranging long-distance visitation, when one parent lives a long way away, is more complex than regular visitation agreements. When parents live a long way from each other in the UK, visits may take place every weekend, every other weekend, or once a month. Solicitors facilitate fair terms for both parents by helping to determine the frequency and length of visits, acceptable methods of communication (phone, video call, in person) and how travel costs are split.
The child access solicitor process explained
Sorting out child access can feel overwhelming, but with a solicitor by your side, the process becomes a lot more manageable. Every family is different, so the steps may vary, but here’s what the journey could look like:
1. Initial consultation
It all starts with understanding your situation. Your online child access solicitor will take the time to review each parent’s rights, responsibilities, and options. Our family law experts bring a mix of experience, empathy, and discretion to help you feel supported from the start.
When possible, your solicitor will guide you through negotiation or mediation to agree on a plan without heading to court. This approach is often quicker, less stressful, and more cost-effective for everyone involved. Court is always a last resort.
3. Drafting and finalising agreements
Once an agreement is reached, it’s time to make it official. Your solicitor will ensure the arrangement complies with family law, reflects any recent legal updates, and - most importantly - puts your child’s wellbeing at the heart of the plan.
4. Court representation for disputes
If mediation doesn’t work, don’t worry. Your solicitor for child access can step in to represent you in court, advocating for an arrangement that prioritises your child’s needs and provides clarity for everyone involved.
5. Reviewing and modifying orders
Life changes, and family arrangements might need to change too. If your current agreement no longer works, your solicitor can help update it to reflect new circumstances—like a relocation or evolving family dynamics.
What are my next steps?
Creating childcare and visitation arrangements when parents are separated can be a complex and stressful issue to resolve. However, coming to an agreement that’s in the best interests of your child is the most important thing. That’s where our solicitors can help, whether you’re in a dispute which needs settling, need to modify an existing agreement or create an agreement from scratch.
Contact our expert child access solicitors today to book your free case assessment and create a child access agreement suited to your needs.
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