THE CHILDS RIGHTS? Karl Beckett of Sheffield Solicitors Bell & Buxton asks the question

Separating couples, whether married or unmarried, more often than not have a tough time sorting out difficult emotional issues and also the “business” side of a relationship such as dealing with a jointly owned home. Even more complex is a situation where children are involved.

As adults it is (or should be) relatively more straightforward to rationalise the reasons for a relationship breakdown. It is not so easy for children of course who are, by definition, ill equipped to deal with complex emotional issues involved when a family unit is disrupted. In such a situation, decisions must be taken regarding where a child will live and contact arrangements for the other parent.

As family lawyers, experience dictates this is not by any means straight forward, and we are often approached about issues regarding where children should live and contact. In each case we advise the starting point as a basic right to children to see and know both parents. Where these arrangements cannot be agreed, there are several options that we explore to try and reach a peaceful resolution. At Bell & Buxton we have many years experience of dealing with such issues, and would be happy to discuss these or any related matters on an initial free half hour basis, or at our twice weekly free legal clinic in the Beighton area.