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If you’re navigating separation or divorce and need to establish where your child will live or how they’ll spend time with each parent, applying for a Child Arrangements Order can help bring clarity and stability during a difficult time. It’s essential to enlist expert legal advice to help you confidently navigate the legal process and emotional stakes.
At T G Baynes, our child law specialists provide clear, practical advice to support you through every stage of the process. Whether you’re making an initial application, responding to a court order, or seeking to vary existing arrangements, we focus on keeping things straightforward, constructive, and child-focused.
Children law can be complex, especially when emotions run high or there are concerns around communication and safeguarding. We’ll explain your legal rights and options in plain, reassuring terms, helping you make informed decisions that are in your child’s best interests at all times.
Our family law solicitors assist parents and carers across Dartford, Bexleyheath and Orpington, guiding them through everything from MIAMs and mediation to final court hearings. Whatever your circumstances, the child arrangement solicitors at T G Baynes are here to help you achieve a workable and lasting outcome for your family.
Contact our Child Arrangement Order solicitors in Dartford, Bexleyheath and Orpington
To discuss your case with one of our expert Child Arrangement Order solicitors in our Dartford, Bexleyheath or Orpington offices, or for a fixed-fee initial consultation, please complete our simple enquiry form or give us a call on 020 8301 7777.
Our Child Arrangement Orders solicitors’ fees
We appreciate the stress that legal matters regarding your children can have, and we aim to alleviate this burden as much as possible. At T G Baynes, we are proud to offer total transparency regarding fees, so you’re not faced with any unwelcome surprises at any stage.
We can offer a fixed fee meeting/telephone call to provide general advice and discuss fees.
For help with court fees for Child Arrangement Orders, you can learn more about our family solicitors’ fees here.
Why work with our Child Arrangement Order solicitors?
Our Child Arrangement Order solicitors have comprehensive experience delivering the most suitable outcomes for families. We appreciate the strain that child arrangement issues can have on a family, and we can promise a constructive approach that preserves important relationships, saves you money and protects your loved ones.
Our solicitors for child access are proud to provide:
- Clear and compassionate advice tailored to your family circumstances
- Guidance on making or responding to child arrangements applications
- Expertise in resolving disputes over where a child lives or spends time
- Support through every stage, from MIAMs and mediation to court proceedings
- Honest, transparent advice on likely outcomes, costs, and timescales
T G Baynes’s family lawyers are all members of Resolution, an organisation dedicated to providing conciliatory solutions to family law matters that find a solution outside of court. When you choose to work with us, you’re choosing a firm that truly has your back throughout your legal journey.
Our Child Arrangement Order services
Negotiation and securing Child Arrangement Orders
Our solicitors provide expert guidance to help you negotiate child arrangements tailored to your family's specific circumstances. We engage directly with the other parent's legal representatives, manage all communications, and work proactively to reach agreements on living arrangements, visitation schedules, and parental responsibilities.
By helping you carefully draft detailed and clear Child Arrangement Orders, we protect your rights and your children's best interests.
Mediation and dispute resolution
Our mediation service is designed to help parents resolve disputes amicably outside the courtroom. Our expert solicitors will identify common ground and explore practical solutions regarding contact, visitation, and parenting responsibilities, aiming to reach a mutually acceptable agreement that prioritises your children’s welfare.
Court representation
Whilst a court appearance can be stressful, our solicitors will help you prepare and submit all required documents, clearly outline your position, and present persuasive arguments on your behalf during hearings. Our extensive experience means you’ll receive strategic guidance and strong advocacy throughout the entire court process, ensuring your voice is heard and your case is effectively presented.
Enforcement or variation of existing Child Arrangement Orders
Circumstances often change after an initial Child Arrangement Order is made. We support clients by assisting with the enforcement of existing orders if they are being breached, ensuring compliance from the other parent. Additionally, our solicitors expertly manage applications to vary existing orders, whether due to relocation, lifestyle changes, or evolving family dynamics, ensuring arrangements continue to serve your children’s best interests.
Child Arrangement Orders FAQs
What is a Child Arrangement Order?
A Child Arrangement Order is a court order made under Section 8 of the 1989 Children Act. It stipulates who a child will live with, spend time with and have contact with following the separation or divorce of their parents.
A Child Arrangement Order may also include regulations concerning how and when contact should take place, including overnight stays, weekend visits, holidays and indirect contact methods such as phone calls or letters. The Court aims to provide a stable routine when drafting the order, ensuring that the child’s welfare is paramount.
How to apply for a Child Arrangement Order
To apply for a Child Arrangement Order, you must complete and file a C100 application form with the Family Court. In most situations, before applying, you must attend a Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting (MIAM) to see whether the dispute can be resolved out of court. If mediation isn’t suitable or breaks down, the case will progress to court.
Once the application is submitted, the court may hold a First Hearing Dispute Resolution Appointment (FHDRA) to assess the case and determine the next steps. The process can include reports from CAFCASS (Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service), directions hearings, and a final hearing if necessary.
Can I get legal aid for a Child Arrangement Order?
Legal aid may be available if you can show evidence of domestic abuse or child protection concerns and meet the financial eligibility criteria. You’ll need to provide supporting documentation, such as a police report or letter from a domestic violence support organisation. Legal aid can help cover solicitor costs and court representation, so it’s essential to explore this avenue if it could help you.
How long does a Child Arrangement Order last?
A Child Arrangement Order typically lasts until the child turns 16. In exceptional circumstances, such as where a child has specific needs, the court may order it to continue until the child is 18.
The terms of the order can be time-limited (e.g. for a school holiday or a few months) or open-ended. If circumstances change significantly, for example, one parent relocates, or there are concerns about a child’s welfare, either party can apply to vary or discharge the order.
How long does it take to get a Child Arrangement Order?
The duration varies depending on the complexity of the case and whether it is contested. In straightforward, uncontested cases, a Child Arrangements Order may be finalised within 3 to 6 months.
However, if there are disputes, safeguarding concerns, or the need for reports from CAFCASS or independent experts, the case can take significantly longer; sometimes 9 to 12 months or more.
How to report a breach of Child Arrangement Order?
If someone breaches the terms of a Child Arrangements Order, for example, by refusing to allow agreed contact, you can apply to the court to enforce the order using a Form C79.
Before doing so, it’s essential to document the breach, such as missed contact dates or messages, and consider whether there was a reasonable excuse to breach Child Arrangement Orders.
The court can take several steps, including issuing a warning, making changes to the order, ordering unpaid work (community service), or even imposing a fine or custodial sentence in extreme cases. Repeated or serious breaches are more likely to result in enforcement action. Our expert solicitors can ensure any breaches are adequately dealt with, protecting your rights and loved ones throughout.
How much does a Child Arrangement Order cost?
The court fee for submitting a Child Arrangements Order application is currently £263 (as of May 2025).
If you’re on a low income or receive certain benefits, you may qualify for help with court fees by applying through the government’s Help with Fees scheme using Form EX160.
Additional costs may include solicitor fees, which vary depending on the complexity of your case and the level of support you need. These can range from £1,000 to £5,000 or more for contested matters, especially if barristers or expert reports are required.
Mediation and MIAM fees may also apply, although a £500 family mediation voucher may be available in children-related cases.
Contact our Child Arrangement Order solicitors in Bexleyheath, Dartford and Orpington
To discuss your case with one of our expert Child Arrangement Order solicitors in our Dartford, Bexleyheath or Orpington offices, or for a fixed-fee initial consultation, please complete our simple enquiry form or give us a call on 020 8301 7777.