Top Tips For Parents
In her latest Timms Blog, Family Law Solicitor Jessica Barnett shares some top tips for parents who find themselves in Court Proceedings…
Parents who find themselves in Court Proceedings relating to arrangements for the care of their children are almost always there with their children’s best interests at heart.
However, sometimes, the children themselves end up slightly out of focus amid the Court process with its reports and filing deadlines.
There is a requirement for the Family Court to consider a range of criteria relating to a child’s welfare when considering where a child should live and what the arrangements for contact with the other parent should be. One of the criteria is a child’s wishes and feelings.
The Family Justice Young People’s Board (‘FJYPB’) includes children and young people with experience of Family Court Proceedings. They have devised a set of ‘top tips’ for parents who find themselves in Court Proceedings which aims to refocus us on what the children themselves want and need from the process. The tips are from a childs perspective and include the following…
- Remember I have the right to see both of my parents as long as it is safe for me
- I can have a relationship with the partner of my other parent without this changing my love for you
- Try to have good communication with my other parent because it will help me. Speak to
them nicely. - Keep my other parent updated about my needs and what is happening for me. I might need their help too
- Don’t say bad things about my other parent, especially if I can hear. Remember I can often overhear your conversations or see your social media comments.
It is a really great tool for parents and practitioners in this area to have a good awareness of and the full list can be accessed through the Cafcass website by clicking here.
How Can Timms Help?
If you need any advice on Court Proceedings relating to the care of your children, or any other family law queries. Please do not hesitate to contact me on 01332 364436 or via email at j.barnett@timms-law.com. Alternatively, you can visit the Family Law page of our website here.
May 2022