Children

divorce and children

It is essential in all matters relating to children, that you obtain early advice from a specialist and experienced lawyer. To ensure your children’s best interests are protected and to ensure a constructive and yet determined approach on your behalf.

Child Arrangements

At Hart Reade in EastbourneHailshamMeads and Polegate in East Sussex, we provide advice on child arrangements for children. We are able to prepare agreements setting out child arrangements to include with whom a child is to live (previously known as residence) and with whom a child spends time (previously known as contact).  Our family law solicitors are able to advise on and set up shared care arrangements. We provide specialist practical advice on disputes about child arrangements for mothers, fathers and grandparents etc.

Many cases are capable of agreement following reasoned and sensible advice without the need for Court involvement. We also offer detailed advice on all aspects of mediation or ADR in an effort to avoid Court proceedings and to keep costs to a minimum. Unfortunately there are cases where an application to the Court is necessary and we will be able to represent you in proceedings and will help safeguard the interests of you and your children throughout.

Parental Responsibility, Specific Issue Orders and Prohibited Steps Order

We also deal with other Orders including Parental Responsibility, Specific Issue Orders and Prohibited Steps Orders. We specialise in the removal of children from the country (both permanently and for holidays), change of schools, change of surname and all matters relating to Parental Responsibility.

Mediation, ADR and Court

Many cases are capable of agreement following reasoned and sensible advice without the need for Court involvement. We also offer detailed advice on all aspects of mediation or ADR in an effort to avoid Court proceedings and to keep costs to a minimum. Unfortunately there are cases where an application to the Court is necessary and we will be able to represent you in proceedings and will help safeguard the interests of you and your children throughout.

Child Maintenance Issues

We advise our clients in respect of financial claims on behalf of children to include child maintenance, property and lump sum claims. If parents are unmarried, then property claims on behalf of children are surprisingly common, with many residential parents applying to remain in what was the family home, whilst the child is of minority. We offer specialist advice in respect of these matters and our experience shows us that the majority of those claims are resolved without the need of Court intervention.

Free Legal Appointment

Our Family Department offers a free 30 minute appointment to all clients.

At that appointment we will discuss and review your circumstances and give you preliminary legal advice.

We will also review with you, in general terms, your options in respect of the divorce, finances or children matters and also provide a cost estimate.

The 30 minute appointment will be free of charge and there will be no obligation for you to use our services.

Please telephone the following contact numbers to arrange an appointment:

Eastbourne 01323 727321

Hailsham 01323 841481

Polegate 01323 487051

Meads 01323 407577

Alternatively, please complete the contact form below.

We will maintain complete confidentiality and discretion at all times.

Please click here to fill in our contact form

Please note the above is for information purposes only and is intended to be a short summary.  It should not be treated as a comprehensive guide and should not be acted on without qualified legal advice.

Further Legal Information

Click on the links below for further information on the following areas:

Divorce and Family Finance

Civil Partnerships

Pre-Nuptial Agreements

Unmarried Couples

Children

Collaborative Law

Mediation Services

Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)

Representation in Court Proceedings

Our Team

Costs – General Information

Deferring Fees in Divorce