CHILD ARRANGEMENT SOLICITORS
Our experienced child arrangement solicitors provide clear, practical advice to help you agree where your children will live, how they will spend time with each parent and how important decisions will be made. Whether you are trying to reach an agreement or need support through the Family Court, we will help you protect your children’s welfare and find the best way forward for your family.
Associations and Affiliations
We are expert child arrangement solicitors
When parents separate, making decisions about their children can be one of the most difficult and emotional parts of the process. Our child arrangement solicitors will listen to your concerns, explain your options clearly and help you work towards arrangements that place your children’s welfare first.
Where possible, we will help you reach an agreement through direct negotiation or family mediation. If an agreement cannot be reached, we can guide you through an application to the Family Court and represent you throughout the proceedings.
Our child arrangement solicitors can assist with:
- Deciding where a child will live.
- Agreeing contact with each parent.
- Shared care arrangements.
- Child Arrangements Orders.
- Parenting plans.
- Family mediation.
- Urgent court applications.
- Domestic abuse and safeguarding concerns.
- Specific Issue Orders.
- Prohibited Steps Orders.
- Relocation within the UK.
- International relocation.
- Changing an existing court order.
Our child arrangement solicitors
Elizabeth Hassall
Partner, Head of Family & Relationships
Sally Stanway
Partner, Family & Relationships
Emma Evans
Senior Associate, Family & Relationships
Paula Mansfield
Associate, Family & Relationships
Robbie Oates
Paralegal, Family & Relationships
Joanna Kumwenda
Solicitor, Family & Relationships
Our child arrangement legal services
Child arrangement orders
A Child Arrangements Order can determine where a child will live, when they will spend time with each parent and what other contact should take place. An order may be necessary when parents cannot reach an agreement or when informal arrangements have broken down.
Our child arrangement solicitors can help you make or respond to an application, prepare the necessary documents and understand what the Family Court will consider. We can also represent you at hearings and help you respond to any recommendations made by Cafcass.
The court’s main consideration will always be about fairness and the welfare of the child. We will help you present your circumstances clearly and propose practical arrangements that support your child’s safety, stability, routine and relationship with both parents wherever appropriate.
Contact and living arrangements
Following a separation, parents will need to decide where their children will live and how they will spend time with each parent. Arrangements may cover weekdays, weekends, overnight stays, school holidays, birthdays and other important occasions. Our solicitors can help you reach an arrangement that reflects your child’s age, routine, education and individual needs. We can also advise where contact has been stopped, restricted or made difficult, or where supervised or indirect contact may be appropriate because of welfare concerns.
HM3 Legal will always consider whether an agreement can be reached through negotiation or mediation. If this is not possible, we can apply to the Family Court on your behalf and help you seek a clear, workable arrangement that places your child’s best interests first.
Changing and enforcing court orders
Children’s needs and family circumstances can change, meaning an existing Child Arrangements Order may no longer be suitable. A parent may move home, change working hours, raise new welfare concerns or repeatedly fail to follow the arrangements set by the court. Our child arrangement solicitors can advise whether you should apply to vary, discharge or enforce an existing order. We can help you gather evidence, prepare your application and explain why a different arrangement is now needed.
If the other parent has breached an order without a reasonable excuse, we can advise on the enforcement options available. HM3 Legal can also help you respond if an enforcement or variation application has been made against you, ensuring your position and your child’s needs are clearly represented.
Our legal offices
Chester
George Street
Chester
CH1 3EQ
Liverpool
Tithebarn Street
Liverpool
L2 2QP
Manchester
Woodlands Road
Altrincham
WA14 1HF
Wirral
Monks Ferry
Birkenhead
CH41 5LH
Reasons to instruct HM3 Legal
Plain English promise.
A jargon and waffle-free zone. Helping you to understand your options and make the right decisions.
No chase pledge.
Peace of mind. Removing the frustrations of wondering where things are up to and what is next.
Fixed fees options.
Removing uncertainty. With fixed fee options and clear pricing we will not land you with a surprise bill.
One central point of contact.
Looking at your needs holistically. Chances are, your business operations do not work in silos so neither do we.
Child arrangement solicitor key contact: Elizabeth Hassall
Partner and Head of Family & Relationships
Family law solicitor Elizabeth Hassall is a Partner at HM3 Legal and one of the North West UK’s leading divorce and relationship lawyers. Elizabeth and her experienced team supports clients through separation, making financial arrangements, children matters, cohabitation agreements and negotiating complex business asset ownership. Elizabeth is recognised for financial remedy expertise, clear and practical advice, collaborative law and sensitive family negotiations. She combines commercial understanding with empathy, helping families reach constructive solutions and move forward during challenging relationship changes.
Looking for expert child arrangement solicitors?
Disagreements about children can be stressful and emotionally difficult, but you do not have to deal with them alone. Our child arrangement solicitors will listen to your concerns, explain your legal position and options, and help you work towards arrangements that protect your child’s welfare.
Whether you need help reaching an agreement, applying for a Child Arrangements Order or dealing with an urgent relationship dispute, HM3 Legal is here to support you. Contact our family law team today in strict confidence to arrange an initial conversation about your circumstances.
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This year they were asked to make some changes and redraft and set up two LPAs. What they did was to farm out this task to a bunch of total cowboys working out of Manchester or Derbyshire(who knows?). This company has proved to be unprofessional and unbusiness-like (1.6/5 on Trust Pilot!). I asked Hillyer and McKeown (who have been taken over yet again) why this had happened without us being told and not agreeing to this and was told,”It’s what we do now. I can’t give you any more information.”
The “agency” as they are called the company are already not returning phone calls nor acknowledging e-mails…although they’ve taken all our money before we’d even signed a letter of engagement.
I can’t believe this is allowed to happen and will be taking further action. In the meantime they Hillyer and McKeown (HM3 Legal now) won’t be getting any more work from this estate.
Who sub-contracts work to a company with a 1.6/5 rating? Obviously somebody who couldn’t care less about their clients. To say I’m annoyed with them is an understatement !
During my visits to the Chester office, I was always treated well by all members of the team.
All my queries were resolved in a satisfactory manner, and I now have the safe knowledge that my will has been updated.
My only negative is your introduction, in that you addressed me as Barry James. The latter is indeed my middle name, but not my surname..
Deana has been extremely proactive employing her natural communication skills, moving the process forward very quickly, and achieving a swift conclusion. She explained the legal jargon clouding the agreement, putting it into straightforward language. Making it clear to understand, and combined with her most amiable manner, Deana ensured the process was both pleasant and enjoyable, whilst maintaining a highly professional legal service.
I can wholeheartedly and without any reservation recommend the services of HM3 Legal for top notch advice, service and speed.
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The advisory team, led by Justine and supported by Megan and Deana, has done a fantastic job. They consistently exceeded my expectations, managed all communication seamlessly, and kept me proactively updated at every stage of my case. Their fee structure was entirely transparent, I was always informed of the costs upfront before any work started.
I would not hesitate to use their services again.
Throughout the last 5 months, Deana has been straight forward in her advice, being true to her word from day one. She is honest, avoids talking jargon and took into consideration the needs of the people involved and their personal circumstances.
The entire team at HM3 have treated us with the upmost compassion and we never once felt overwhelmed with the information and advice we were given. Deana worked at our pace and ensured we never felt pressured. She continually reassured us with our questions and concerns though our the entire relationship.
Highly recommended and thank you so much for all your support. We will always be grateful
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I would definitely use HM3 Legal myself and recommend anyone in need of a trusted firm..
She was prompt with communications and kept us informed in the process.
We managed to recover 75% plus of money after more than a year of back and forth.
Thank you.
The whole team are responsive and demonstrate a real desire to provide guidance across a range of disciplines. .
HM3 Legal delivered better service than expected and I would highly recommend them for wills and estate planning.
Robbie Oates was also great at keeping me updated throughout and nothing was too much trouble.
This is not a nice thing to have to go though but thanks to Holly and Robbie, I felt fully supported the whole 2 years 7 months through! I would definitely say they both provided a WOW service.
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The whole team were professional, responsive and a pleasure to deal with throughout. Their excellent communication and attention to detail made what could have been a complex and time consuming process feel straightforward and stress free.
If you're looking for commercial solicitors who combine first class legal expertise with exceptional client service, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Ian Millington and the team at HM3 Legal.
Jill Walker
Managing Director
Indigo Home & Gift
I would highly recommend Clare to any of my peers. Her professionalism was exceptional.
From our initial meeting with Frances, we were informed of the methods and techniques to structure our wills in the most efficient formats.
Frances explained complex legal structures in easy to understand terms and was a pleasure to deal with.
Shannon was excellent with the back office work making sure everything came through promptly and in the right fashion.
Many thanks to everyone at HM3.
Only 4 Stars because we were never notified as to the change from Hillier & McKeown to HM3 Legal.
It was only when we wanted to alter the wills that by good fortune I still had phone number of Hamilton Square. Well done to Ceri for patience and knowhow.
Paul Roberts
They kept me informed at every stage, explaining any legal details in a straightforward and accessible way, which made what can often be a stressful experience feel much more manageable. Emails and calls were always responded to promptly, and I felt confident that everything was being handled thoroughly and carefully.
What really stood out was their attention to detail and proactive approach. Any potential issues were identified early and resolved quickly, helping to avoid delays and keep both transactions moving smoothly. We had a few challenges with the sale of our property, but the team provided clear solutions with phone calls to explain next steps and alternative options if we needed them/
I would highly recommend HM3 to anyone buying or selling a property. Their expertise, reliability, and friendly approach made a significant difference, and I would not hesitate to use their services again in the future.
They kept me informed at every stage, explaining any legal details in a straightforward and accessible way, which made what can often be a stressful experience feel much more manageable. Emails and calls were always responded to promptly, and I felt confident that everything was being handled thoroughly and carefully.
What really stood out was their attention to detail and proactive approach. Any potential issues were identified early and resolved quickly, helping to avoid delays and keep both transactions moving smoothly. We had a few challenges with the sale of our property, but the team provided clear solutions with phone calls to explain next steps and alternative options if we needed them/
I would highly recommend HM3 to anyone buying or selling a property. Their expertise, reliability, and friendly approach made a significant difference, and I would not hesitate to use their services again in the future.
She kept me posted at all times and always returned telephone calls.I recommend her.
They both have been very diligent, responsive and solid in their responses and actions.
I would highly recommend their services. Happy to expand on my experience if anyone would like to know more!
I’m very happy with the service. I would gladly recommend this firm to anyone looking for trustworthy legal assistance.
Fees were clearly explained before work commenced and were fair and competitive. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Ruth and HM3 to anyone seeking expert legal support with personal or family matters.
Child arrangement FAQs
What does a child arrangement solicitor do?
A child arrangement solicitor advises parents and family members about where a child should live, how much time they should spend with each parent and how important decisions should be made. They can help you negotiate an agreement, prepare a parenting plan, attend mediation or apply to the Family Court. HM3 Legal can also represent you during proceedings, respond to safeguarding concerns and help change or enforce an existing Child Arrangements Order if your family’s circumstances change.
What is a Child Arrangements Order?
A Child Arrangements Order is made by the Family Court. It sets out where a child will live, when they will spend time with another parent or family member and what other contact (if any) should take place. This may include overnight stays, school holidays, phone calls and video contact. The order can provide clarity when parents cannot agree. When deciding what arrangements to make, the court’s overriding consideration will always be fairness and the welfare and best interests of the child.
Do I need to attend mediation before applying for a Child Arrangements Order?
In most cases, you must attend a Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting before making an application to the Family Court. This meeting, known as a MIAM, considers whether mediation could help you reach an agreement without court proceedings. Exemptions may apply where there is domestic abuse, urgency, child protection concerns or another recognised reason. A solicitor can assess whether an exemption applies and ensure the correct information is included when your court application is prepared and submitted for consideration.
Can a father apply for a Child Arrangements Order?
Yes. A father with parental responsibility can usually apply for a Child Arrangements Order without first obtaining permission from the court. Parental responsibility may arise through marriage to the child’s mother, being named on the birth certificate in qualifying circumstances or obtaining a separate agreement or court order. A father without parental responsibility may still be able to apply, although additional steps may be required. HM3 Legal can review your circumstances and advise you about the appropriate application to suit your family situation.
What happens if a parent breaches a Child Arrangements Order?
If a parent fails to follow a Child Arrangements Order without a reasonable excuse, the other parent can apply to the Family Court for enforcement. The court will consider why the order was breached and whether enforcement would support the child’s welfare. Possible outcomes include changing the original order, ordering unpaid work or requiring compensation for financial loss. Before applying, you should keep clear records of missed contact, relevant communications and any explanations provided by the other parent for the breach.
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