Separation is never easy, especially when there are children are involved. Emotions can run high, and the future for everyone involved may feel uncertain. But amidst this change, one goal remains clear: ensuring that your children thrive and maintain a strong and loving bond with both parents.
While informal arrangements may seem simpler, formalising your co-parenting agreement through legal tools is the most effective way to create stability for your children and protect your relationship with them. It’s not about “winning” against a former partner, it is about building a strong, clear and legally sound framework that puts your child’s best interests first.
The Banner Jones family law solicitors understand the emotional and legal complexities of separation and will guide you through the process with honest and clear separation advice.
Key Takeaways: Legal Tools for Co-Parenting
If you're looking for a quick overview, here are the main legal tools that can help:
- Parenting Plan/Agreement: A detailed agreement between parents setting out the arrangements for the children including living arrangements, decision-making responsibilities, financial arrangements, health and medical care, education.
- Consent Order: A legally binding Child Arrangement Order in certain circumstances formalising some of the arrangements in the Parenting Plan, approved by a Court.
- Child Arrangement Order: A Court Order when agreement is not possible, outlining the arrangements for the children such as where they live, how much time they spend with each parent, communication, travel and holidays.
Why You Need More Than a Verbal Agreement
Relying on a handshake deal or “figuring it out as you go” can lead to confusion, conflict, and inconsistency especially for the children. Common pain points include:
- Misunderstandings over holidays and special occasions
- Disagreements on education, health and medical care, religion and culture or financial arrangements
- Lack of clear guidelines for communication and decision-making
- The stress of constant negotiation, which can spill into your child’s emotional wellbeing
A formal agreement can help to avoid or iron out these pitfalls and provides a stable foundation for co-parenting.
Legal Tools for Co-Parenting: Your Toolkit for Stability
Navigating co-parenting after separation can be complex, with friends and family giving conflicting advice on how to co-parent. However, the right legal tools can make all the difference. These tools are designed to reduce conflict, clarify arrangements, and create a stable environment for you and your children. Whether you're working collaboratively with your ex-partner or facing challenges in reaching an agreement, understanding your options is the first step toward building a secure and supportive co-parenting framework.
A. The Parenting Plan: Your Foundation for Co-operation
A Parenting Plan is a comprehensive, non-legally binding document created by both parents. It typically covers:
- Living arrangements
- Travel and holidays
- Communication guidelines
- Financial arrangements
- Health and medical care
- School-related decisions
- How to handle disagreements
By setting clear expectations from the start, a Parenting Plan helps to minimise future conflict and provides a roadmap for successful co-parenting.
B. The Consent Order: Making Your Agreement Legally Binding
In certain circumstances, a Consent Order can be sought from the Court. It can formalise some of the arrangements made in your Parenting Plan. Drafted by a solicitor and approved by a Judge, it becomes legally enforceable. This offers peace of mind and protection, if disputes arise as the Court can be referred to the Consent Order to uphold the agreed terms.
C. Child Arrangement Orders: When Agreement Isn’t Possible
When parents cannot reach an agreement, even after mediation, a Child Arrangement Order may be necessary. This Court Order determines:
- The arrangements for the child - such as where they live and how much time they spend with each parent
- Arrangements for holidays
- Communication between the parties
- Education issues such as which school the children should attend
The Court’s priority is always the child’s welfare and best interests. Whilst this is a last resort, it can provide clarity and stability when other methods fail. Our very experienced Child Arrangement Order solicitors will be able to discuss your options with you.
How to Maintain a Strong Bond with Your Children
Legal tools are designed to reduce conflict and create consistency, both of which are vital for your child’s emotional wellbeing. Here are some practical tips for staying involved:
- Keep the focus on what’s in the best interests for your child, not past difficulties
- Maintain consistent routines across households such as bedtimes, homework, use of phones
- Communicate respectfully with your ex-partner
- Use shared calendars to manage schedules (use a communication app)
- Present a united front by attending school events
- Prioritise quality time over quantity
- Avoid putting your children in the middle
- Factor in reviews and adjustments to the arrangements as your child grows
The Role of a Family Law Solicitor
While these tools may seem straightforward, working with a family law solicitor ensures your documents are correctly drafted and your rights are protected. A solicitor can:
- Advise on your circumstances and your child’s best interests
- Help negotiate fair arrangements
- Guide you through the options and court process, if needed
Seeking separation legal advice early can help formalise arrangements and safeguard your family’s future.
We’re Here to Help at Banner Jones
At Banner Jones, we understand that every family is unique. Whether you’re just starting the separation process or need help formalising an agreement, our child arrangement order solicitors are here to support you.
We offer fixed fee appointments of 30 and 60 minutes to help you explore and understand your options and take the first step towards securing a stable foundation for co-parenting.
📍 Our offices are located in Chesterfield, Sheffield, Mansfield and Dronfield.
FAQs about Co-Parenting After Separation
- Do I need a solicitor to create a Parenting Plan?
No, but a solicitor can help ensure it covers all necessary matters and supports with your legal responsibilities and rights. - What’s the difference between a Parenting Plan and a Child Arrangement Order?
A Parenting Plan is non-legally binding document which sets out a clear agreement whilst a Child Arrangement Order is a Court Order, which is a legally binding and enforceable document. - Can a legal agreement really help my relationship with my children?
Absolutely. Reducing conflict and creating consistency helps children feel secure and strengthens their bond with you. - How do we handle disagreements about major decisions, like which school our child should attend?
The starting point is open communication with the other parent. Focus on the child’s nest interests. If agreement still cannot be reached then mediation is a helpful next step. A referral to mediation can be made, and often is, after speaking with a solicitor. A Parenting Plan/Agreement can outline decision-making protocols where there is a dispute. - Can a Consent Order be changed in the future if our circumstances change?
Yes. You can apply to the Court to Vary the Order if there’s a significant change in circumstances.
- Senior Solicitor
- ShetalGudgeon@bannerjones.co.uk
- 01246 283 022
- Sheffield - Abbey House 0114 275 5266
- Team number - 01246 283026