Bristol Child Arrangements Solicitors

A Child Arrangements Order (CAO) is a legally binding order made by the family court. It sets out where your child will live and with whom they will spend time or have contact. “Live with” orders can apply to one parent or both parents under a shared arrangement. Previously known as “residence” or “contact” orders, child arrangements orders now use child‑focused language, avoiding terms such as custody. Our family law solicitors can advise you on whether a CAO is appropriate in your circumstances.

A child arrangements order can:

• Specify who the child lives with (one parent, both parents under shared care, or another significant person such as a grandparent)
• Set out a schedule for shared care arrangements
• Regulate direct contact (face‑to‑face) and indirect contact (phone calls, video calls, letters)
• Include directions for handovers, holiday arrangements, special occasions, and communication between parents
• Require supervised contact or restrict exposure to unsafe individuals

Your family solicitor will ensure the order clearly reflects your child’s needs and protects their welfare.

If someone breaches a child arrangements order without reasonable excuse, the court can enforce the order. Penalties range from fines and community service to, in extreme cases, imprisonment. The court may also make further orders to protect the child’s welfare, including changing where the child lives. Our family law solicitors can advise you on enforcement options and next steps.

A child arrangements order can be varied or discharged if circumstances change, always with the child’s best interests as the court’s primary consideration. Many orders include flexibility for parents to agree additional contact without returning to court, something our family solicitors can help you structure appropriately.

The child’s welfare is the court’s paramount consideration. Decisions are guided by the welfare checklist, which includes:

• The child’s wishes and feelings (considered in light of age and understanding)
• Physical, emotional, and educational needs
• The likely effect of any change in circumstances
• Age, sex, background, and relevant characteristics
• Any harm suffered or risk of harm
• Each parent’s ability to meet the child’s needs

There is currently a presumption that involvement of both parents benefits the child’s welfare. However, the government has announced plans to remove this presumption, which has raised concerns for some parents. Our family law solicitors can explain how this may affect your case.

Remove parental responsibility
A child arrangements order cannot remove parental responsibility from a parent, except in very limited circumstances. Even if a child lives entirely with one parent, the legal rights and responsibilities of both parents remain unless a separate court order removes them (which is rare and usually applies only in very serious cases). Your family solicitor can advise if this is relevant to your situation.

Decide every aspect of parenting
A child arrangements order focuses on where a child lives and with whom they spend time. For specific disputes, such as schooling or medical treatment, a specific issue order may be required. The court will not micro‑manage family life or act as a third parent.

Last forever
In most cases, a child arrangements order remains in force until the child is 16 (or 18 in exceptional circumstances), unless the court varies or discharges it. The order will also end if both parents resume living together for more than six months.

Guarantee cooperation
While a child arrangements order sets out expectations, it cannot guarantee compliance or cooperation. Enforcement options exist if breaches occur, but the court cannot force positive relationships between parents.

Override the child’s wishes completely
The child’s wishes and feelings are a key part of the welfare checklist, particularly as they grow older. While not determinative, older children may effectively choose arrangements by their behaviour. Our family solicitors help parents understand how courts approach this sensitive issue.