Child Custody Solicitors | Family Law Solicitor Dorset

Helping you put your children first

Making sure separation affects children as little as possible is difficult. We appreciate there can be complex issues involved and emotions are often charged. Ensuring the right outcome for your children can be challenging and we will support you through this.

We're here to help you.

In a perfect world, decisions relating to where children live and the contact they have with each parent can be reached amicably. In reality this is not always the case. We can support you through the process and make sure the children's well-being is at the forefront.

Child Support And Maintenance Post-Divorce

Child maintenance is a payment from the non-resident parent to the parent with whom the children have their primary place of residence. The purpose is to:

help the primary carer meet the children’s day-to-day financial needs
ensure the non-resident parent is providing adequate financial support.

Child maintenance is payable up until the age of 16 (or 20 if the child remains in full time education).

Learn more about negotiating settlements; what to do when negotiations break down, and how courts decide on the splitting of finances. Find out more here...

Mediation vs Court

Mediation is an alternative to court and can minimise some of the stress involved.

By choosing mediation you can try to avoid some of the hurt and anger that is associated with court. When an agreement is made by mutual consent (rather than court mandated), it is much more likely that both parties will abide by the decision.

Mediation can often be cheaper and quicker than the court process.