Child Custody Lawyer
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Following separation or divorce one of the main issues of dispute can be child custody. The law in this area can be challenging and complex. However, the principle that underpins this area of law is that the welfare of the child is paramount. At Walker Laird our family lawyers in Paisley have dealt with countless cases for clients across Scotland encompassing a wide range of issues.
Following the breakdown of a relationship many parents contact us wishing to know their rights in relation to their child. If the parents of the child are married then both parents will have equal rights and responsibilities. If the parents of the child are not married, the father will need to be registered as the child’s father on the child’s birth certificate in order to have parental rights and responsibilities. A father can do this by way of agreement with the child’s mother or by obtaining a court order.
There may also be a disagreement over where the child is to live and if agreement cannot be reached a parent can apply to the Court for what is known as a residence order.
The non-resident parent can seek a contact order from the Court if agreement cannot be reached with the resident parent over contact arrangements. When a child is old enough and able to express a view their views will be taken into consideration by the Court. By law when a child is over 12 years old they are entitled to have their views considered.
The majority of cases are capable of resolution and going to court is not necessary. To resolve any issues our child custody lawyers in Paisley are on hand to listen to you and give you advice tailored to your case. We will engage in any negotiations to obtain the most favourable agreement for you and your child. Any agreement reached can be put into a formal Minute of Agreement signed by both parents.
However, in certain circumstances, agreement cannot be reached. In this unfortunate situation court action is inevitable. We understand that for many people Court action is a frightening prospect. Our child custody lawyers in Paisley, David Forbes and Anna Brown, have considerable experience in dealing with all aspects of child law in Scotland. Our team regularly appears in courts throughout Scotland and are on hand to provide you with the necessary advice to alleviate any concerns and achieve your desired outcome.
If you are encountering difficulties and want to know your rights get in touch with our family lawyers in Paisley today to arrange your free introductory appointment. Your appointment can be arranged by contacting our Paisley office on 0141 887 5271 or our Renfrew office on 0141 886 5678. Alternatively, please complete our online enquiry form and a member of our team will be in touch. We offer a wide range of funding options from legal aid to flexible payment plans.
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