Although they announced their separation in 2016, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie are reportedly yet to reach an agreement in respect of the care arrangements for their 6 children. Reports suggest that Brad Pitt is currently seeking an arrangement whereby the children spend their time equally between each parent. On the other hand, Angelina Jolie reportedly proposes that the children live with her as their primary carer and spend time with their father.

In England and Wales, when separating parents are unable to reach an agreement as to who their children will live with and the time they will spend with the non-resident parent, either parent can make an application to the Court for a Child Arrangements Order.

A Child Arrangements Order will confirm the time the children are to spend with each parent. The Court may give consideration to whether a shared care arrangement or shared care order would be appropriate.

A shared care arrangement may not necessarily mean that the children will split their time equally between each parent. An equal division may not be practical for a number of reasons including work commitments or the location of each parent’s home.  Instead, a shared care order will confirm that the children live with each parent and will go on to set out the pattern of when the children shall be with either parent.
 

A shared care order is often thought as recognising the equal importance that each parent plays in a child’s life and, in turn, this is often seen as being in the child’s best interests.

At George Green LLP, our Family Solicitors are experts in advising clients as to the arrangements for children upon separation and the options and next steps that they have available to them.

If you would like any further information in respect of shared care orders or the arrangements for children generally, please contact Alex Mansfield at our Wolverhampton office on 01902 328365 (amansfield@georgegreen.co.uk) or Rachel Baker at our Cradley Heath office on 01384 340580 (rbaker@georgegreen.co.uk).