Search site
Our People
Contact our offices
Make an enquiry
How can we help?
Disputes involving children are common when parents are going through a divorce, separating or when disagreements between family members arise. The needs of those children can sometimes become lost as they become part of what is happening between the adults. Unfortunately research shows that children do suffer in the breakdown of adult relationships, although they can and do recover and grow to be healthy and well adjusted.
Examples of common disputes concern where children should live and with whom, or children not being returned home or being removed from a parents’ care, or the arrangements for children to see their parent or family members and who they can be brought into contact with. Sadly there are a wide variety of day to day decisions concerning children which can result in disagreement between adults.
loading staff
Children need to have safe and happy homes and secure relationships with both parents as well as other family members if at all possible. A common theme has emerged for children when asked what they want when their family is changing and they face separation:
Avoid blaming or being critical of the other person. Show restraint and as much as possible present a united front.
Give the children age appropriate information. Pick and choose how much to tell children and always think carefully about how information may affect them. Be age aware and no matter how much or little information is given, remember to be honest.
At times of dispute, concentrate on what is important rather than wanting to achieve everything on a 'wish list'. Look at the bigger picture and consider the importance of everyone’s wellbeing.
Children struggling to cope emotionally with the situation around them can start to express their feelings in a variety of ways. These can include:
If a child is exhibiting any of these signs it is important that they receive full support from the adults in their lives, that consideration is given to approaching their GP, their teachers or consulting a specialist for advice.
If you would like to speak to a children law specialist in relation to a dispute contact us on 0203 816 0548 or complete our online enquiry form and a member of the team will contact you directly.
We're widely accredited for our work - family law
It is our business to deliver legal services that work for our clients, you can trust our specialists to take care of things on your behalf. Over the years our family law team has been recognised by industry awards and accredited for their excellence.
Based on count 310
We're Great
It is our business to deliver legal services that work for our clients, and you can trust our specialists to take care of things on your behalf.
The level of service that was provided was excellent and one which was professional, understanding and the most important for me was empathy. I myself am a very organised individual and like things done on time without delay, Stephensons understood this and respected what was important to me and for children.
View from a family, children & divorce law client
Woman 'condemned to loveless marriage' appeals to Supreme Court over divorce
A woman who claims she has been ‘condemned to a loveless marriage’ by the UK courts has taken her case to the Supreme Court in a bid to divorce her husband of 40 years. Tini Owens, 66, previously failed in her attempts to divorce Hugh...
Twitter block 1 tweet
The wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle takes place on Saturday, with bunting going up across the nation as we prepare to celebrate with the happy couple. We’d love to see how you’re marking the occasion so if you’re having a...
Family reorder
We're always here for you
As an award-winning top 150 law firm, with over 450 staff based in offices across the country, you're never far from the advice you need.
Find your nearest Stephensons office and arrange a meeting
As an award-winning top 150 law firm, with over 450 staff based in offices across the country, you're never far from the advice you need.
