Child Arrangement Orders
Unfortunately when a relationship breaks down children are often caught in the middle and it is not always easy to agree the arrangements for your children with your ex-partner. In most cases it will be expected that your children should have a relationship with both parents provided that it is safe and appropriate to do so, depending on the circumstances of your individual case.
We understand that children will always be the most important consideration for parents if a relationship should unfortunately breakdown. If you are unable to agree arrangements for your children (formally known as ‘residence’ and ‘contact’) then our familysolicitors can assist by offering you helpful, constructive advice.
We can help you address matters relating to whether or when a child should see each parent, where a child should live, issues relating to Parental Responsibility and more specific issues such as education, change of name, holidays, and financial support for children.
There are various ways we can assist in reaching an agreement which include through correspondence, round table meeting, mediation and court.
Parenting Plans:
If necessary, once an agreement has been reached it can be a good idea to include it in a ‘parenting plan’. There is no set definition of what can, or should, be included in a parenting plan because all families are different and have different requirements. Often the contents will include the arrangements for the child to spend time with each parent, handover arrangements, the practicalities of your children’s care, religion, education, healthcare, the introduction of new partners and decisions about the future. A parenting plan is specific to your own family situation and provides your agreed guidelines so you both know what is expected from you and hopefully helps to create some consistency for your children between their two homes.
Make an Enquiry
What our clients say
I would just like to say that you have, over the past three years on this matter, looked after me exceptionally well. Thank you.
I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you for all your hard and professionalism throughout the proceedings. I always felt you were looking out for my best interests. It was a pleasure doing business with you and the company and will use you again should I need to and will recommend to others.
Excellent service and thorough responses.
Exemplary service and clear and accurate advice.
Just superb – great service, great communication, no gobbledegook.
They give sound and practical advice on a range of private client matters with some strong lawyers on their books.
The team listens carefully, is very professional and makes clients feel comfortable.
One of the best local firms.
Partner Alisdair Douglas leads the team and has almost 20 years’ experience in family law. He is an advanced member of the Family Law Panel, an accredited Resolution specialist in the areas of advanced financial provision and private children law, and a member of the Good Divorce Group in Norfolk.
As always excellent, courteous, prompt and professional service.
Leathes Prior’s Alisdair Douglas has a full grasp of what needs to be done. His team is easy to deal with, polite and courteous on all aspects of divorce, civil partnerships and Children Act matters.
Leathes Prior is outstanding, ethical and excellent value for money. Practice head Alisdair Douglas is one of Norfolk’s leading lawyers for divorce and private law proceedings under the Children Act.
The team at Leathes Prior is prompt and proactive, and explains the options clearly. Alisdair Douglas is very knowledgeable, and guides clients through the process in a caring way. He is one of Norfolk’s leading lawyers for complex divorce and Children Act matters.
Leathes Prior’s team is helpful and professional. Resolution-accredited Alisdair Douglas and rising star Simon Willis excel in divorce, financial remedy and private Children Act matters
Autumn Budget 2025: Agricultural Property Relief & Business Property Relief Changes
It was announced in the 2025 Budget that from 6 April 2026, changes will be made to agricultural property relief and business property relief. These changes bring APR and BPR in line with the nil-rate band rules, meaning unused allowances can be transferred to a surviving spouse or civil partner. This is a significant step towards making estate planning easier for families who own farms or businesses.
The Employment Rights Act 2025 is expected to come into force tomorrow (18 December 2025)
After an extended period of back-and-forth amendments between Parliament and the House of Lords, on 16 December 2025, the ERB finally received approval from the House of Lords, with the formality of Royal Assent due to take place tomorrow (18 December 2025). Head of LP Employment, Dan Chapman, explains...
.png)
Charity of the Month: The Matthew Project
Leathes Prior is delighted to be supporting The Matthew Project as our Charity of the Month for December 2025. The Matthew Project supports young people and adults across Norfolk, Suffolk, and Essex to overcome issues around drugs, alcohol, and mental health, empowering them to rebuild confidence and lead fulfilling lives.
Leathes Prior’s Milan Pandit appointed President of the Norfolk & Norwich Law Society
Leathes Prior Solicitors is proud to announce that Milan Pandit, Solicitor in our Corporate & Commercial Team, has been appointed President of the Norfolk & Norwich Law Society (NNLS) for 2025/26.
Commercial Lease Renewals: A guide for Landlords & Tenants
Commercial lease renewals are a topic that every commercial landlord and business that rents commercial premises should have at the forefront of their minds. It is essential for good succession planning, though it is often neglected until the expiry of an existing lease term is looming or once the existing term has come to an end and the tenant is holding over. In this article, our newly qualified solicitor, Maggie Berry explores the process that landlords and tenants can expect when navigating this complex area of law.
Our Guidance, Your Legacy: What is a Will, and why should I make one?
Not only is a Will one of the most important steps you can take to protect your loved ones and ensure your wishes are respected, but it also limits the likelihood of a claim/dispute following your death. To ensure your loved ones and the causes you care about benefit from your estate, a Will is essential to ensuring this happens. Find out more in this article.
Lease extensions: The essentials to getting started
Extending your lease can seem complex, but taking the right steps early can make the process much smoother. Jake Mowatt, Associate and Harry Smith, Trainee Solicitor in our Residential Property Team outlines the key essentials every leaseholder should understand prior to extending their lease.
Upcoming changes to bringing employment law claims: What these mean for you
The highly anticipated Employment Rights Bill (ERB) is set to increase the time limits in which employees can bring an employment tribunal claim. Gareth Stevens & Rose Woolterton explain what this means for employers & employees.
Service Charges in Residential Leases: FAQs
Service charges are forever a hot topic in the world of property disputes, and it remains one of the most contentious areas between freeholders and leaseholders, particularly in long residential leases. Danny Turpin, Associate, discusses frequently asked questions regarding service charges on long residential leases.
Leathes Prior winners in nine categories in the prestigious Legal 500 Future Laywer Survey
We are thrilled to announce that the firm has placed once again in the Legal 500 Future Lawyer survey as No.1 in the UK for our Social Life; a ranking we have held in the survey for seven years out of the past nine years.
Jess’s Rule – New Guidelines for GPs
A new initiative is being rolled out across GP practices across England in the hope of preventing serious illnesses being missed by GPs where patients present with the same, or deteriorating, symptoms on multiple occasions. Kimberley Nelson in our Personal Injury & Clinical Negligence Team discusses new guidelines for GPs.
Leathes Prior are excited to announce that four Trainee Solicitors qualify at the firm
Leathes Prior is excited to announce that four of our amazing trainees, Eleanor Chapman, Maggie Berry, Alex Robinson, and Georgia Sartin, have successfully completed their training contracts and are now qualifying as Solicitors at the firm.
