Children

Legal assistance in Portsmouth

For advice on parental responsibility or child arrangements orders, call the team at Rutherford Solicitors today.

Helping your children

We understand how difficult it can be when a dispute arises in relation to your children. Our aim is to help you reach an agreement with the other parent or carer by negotiation as quickly as possible. It is always best for parents or carers to be able to communicate effectively with each other about their children during this period and the children should not to be caught up in any parental conflict. If that communication breaks down and you need help finding a resolution, we can offer professional one-to-one advice on the best course of action. Legal aid is available for family disputes and when you first make contact with us, we can confirm whether you are eligible for legal aid.

Contact

Are you eligible for Legal aid?

If you are not eligible for legal aid, then we have fixed fee options in place to keep your costs as low as possible and, if appropriate, offer you advice and guidance so that you have the necessary information to make your own application to the court.

Grandparents (and other family members) often find themselves in a position where they require legal advice following a dispute, to find out whether they can spend time with their grandchildren. We can offer you advice on your rights and how to pursue an application to the court for a child arrangements order.

Family law services

If you are facing a court application by the Local Authority to have your children placed into care, or have received a letter to inform you this is being considered. If so, you should be entitled to free legal aid which will allow us to represent you in those proceedings.

We also offer advice on parental responsibility, specific issue orders, prohibited steps orders and child arrangements orders – where a child will live and who a child is allowed to spend time with. We can provide help and advice with everything from changing a child’s surname to taking a child abroad to live or for a holiday when you do not have the consent of the other parent.