Child Law Solicitors

Disputes involving children can be emotional and stressful. Our experienced child law solicitors handle issues efficiently and with sensitivity, to help you achieve the best outcome for your family.

We can advise you in all matters involving children, including disputes about:

• Where a child should live
• The time children should spend with parents and other relations
• Child maintenance and financial support
• Education
• Religion
• Name
• Relocation including moving abroad with children

Where possible, we help our clients to resolve their disputes by agreement, without going to court. Members of our team are accredited in alternative dispute resolution methods such as mediation and collaborative law.

If court proceedings cannot be avoided, we will ensure they are conducted professionally, skillfully and as cost-effectively as possible.

Recognition of our child law expertise

In 2020, Mei-Ling McNab was appointed as Branch President of the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) Mid, North and West Kent. She lends her expertise in supporting victims of domestic abuse, helping parents resolve disputes about children and all areas of family law.

Our Family team is ranked in the top tier for family law in leading legal directory Chambers and Partners. The directory praises the team’s “expertise in handling complex Children Act matters, including internal and international relocation cases”.

Heads of the team Mei-Ling McNab and Mark Leeson were individually recognised in the 2021 directory for their work.

Our family lawyers are also highly ranked by The Legal 500 directory, which named Mei-Ling McNab and Mark Leeson as ‘Recommended Lawyers’.

Several members of the team are accredited as experts in mediation or collaborative law. Mark Leeson is also a member of the Family Law Panel.

Advice on child maintenance (previously child support)

Our solicitors can advise both resident and non-resident parents on child maintenance applications made under the Child Maintenance Service.

We can also give you practical support on the process of applying for a variation. This involves asking the service to take other income or expenses into account in their calculation.

If you are not satisfied with a child maintenance decision, we can advise you on the appeals process.

Advice on parental responsibility

‘Parental responsibility’ gives you the legal right to have a say in important aspects of your child’s life, such as their education, medical treatment and any change of name.

A mother automatically has parental responsibility for her child from birth. A father usually has parental responsibility if he’s either:

• Married to the child’s mother when the child is born (this remains if they later divorce)
• Listed on the birth certificate (after a certain date)

If you do not currently have parental responsibility for your child, we can help you apply and draft the necessary paperwork.

Advice on relocating or moving abroad with children

If you are considering moving to a new area with your child, or you believe your partner wants to relocate, our experienced solicitors can advise you.

When moving abroad, we particularly recommend getting legal advice at an early stage. You will need the consent of the other parent, and this often requires careful negotiation and may result in court proceedings.

Our family law team deals with applications for permission to remove children from the country and with the unlawful removal of children, both to and from England.

How to contact our child law solicitors

Our child law solicitors are based in Maidstone and Canterbury and are ready to help you with any advice you need.

If you need guidance about your options, speak to one of our friendly team. You can call us on 01622 690691 or book an initial fixed-fee virtual appointment or use our no-obligation online tool to get started at a time that suits you.