If you and your partner separate, one of the many issues to discuss is how a child’s time will be divided between the two households. 

It is presumed to be in a child’s best interest to have a meaningful relationship with both parents unless there are safeguarding reasons why this ought not be the case. 

It is not presumed that a child will spend more time with one parent than the other, although due to practical reasons matters can often be this way, due to parents work commitments for example. 

One method of organising child arrangements is to discuss directly with your ex-partner and organise contact by consent. 

If needed, you can engage with a mediator who can help facilitate the discussions and put together a parenting plan which you both sign. 

Both of the above methods require co-operation. 

If matters cannot be agreed, a parent has the option of applying to Court for the arrangements to be decided in a Child Arrangements Order.  Whilst going through the Court proceedings, it is possible to reach an agreement and put this into an Order by Consent. 

However if an agreement is not possible, ultimately the Court will make a decision in the best interests of the child. 

George Green LLP are based in both Wolverhampton and Cradley Heath and provide advice to clients all across the Black Country and West Midlands.  If you require any advice regarding matrimonial matters, please contact Aimee Stokes, the author of this blog and solicitor in our family department on astokes@georgegreen.co.uk and 01902 328 355.