Child arrangements solicitors in St AlbansPractical help to agree arrangements that work for your children, and support with court if you can't agree.
- Fixed fees, agreed upfront
- Solicitor-led, St Albans office
- Reply within 1 working day
Family & finance consultation (60 minutes)
£250+ VAT
£300 including VAT
- Not included
If you apply to court, a court fee is payable to the court.
- Typical timescale
- You can agree arrangements as soon as you're both ready.
- Award-winningBest Immigration Lawyer in St Albans, Quality Business Awards 2023 (opens in a new tab)
- 4.9 out of 5From 100+ Google reviews (opens in a new tab)
- Since 2009SRA-regulated, no. 635480 (opens in a new tab)
- Fixed feesAgreed in writing before we start
- 1 working dayTo reply to every message
- English, বাংলা, اردو, हिन्दीLanguages we speak
What it costs
Children cases vary too much for one fixed fee. We start with a 60-minute solicitor consultation, credited against our fees if you instruct us, and then give you a clear estimate for each stage.
| Service | Our fee | Including VAT |
|---|---|---|
| Family & finance consultation (60 minutes) | £250+ VAT£300 incl. VAT | £300 |
Our fees are + VAT at 20%. They don't include court fees, which you pay directly to the court.
If you apply to court, a court fee is payable to the court. Mediators charge separately for mediation.
Typical timescale. You can agree arrangements as soon as you're both ready. If you go to court, how long it takes depends on the court's timetable and on whether reports are needed.
Court fees on GOV.UK (opens in a new tab)
| Principal solicitor | £295 + VAT |
|---|---|
| Principal solicitor (complex matters) | £350 + VAT |
| Associate solicitor | £220–£240 + VAT |
| Caseworker | £150–£160 + VAT |
Your fixed fee, in writing, before we start.
Tell us about your situation on a free call and we'll confirm the fee that applies to you.
Book a free call for your quoteIs this you?
Not sure? Answer 3 quick questions or book a free call and tell us what's happened.
- You've separated and need to agree where your children will live and how much time they'll spend with each of you.
- You've tried talking or mediation but can't agree, or an arrangement you had has broken down.
- You need a decision on one issue, such as a school, a move, or a trip abroad, or you're worried the other parent will act without your agreement.
How it works
Step 1: Understand your options
We look at your situation, explain your options and what a court would focus on, and help you think through what would work for your children.
Step 2: Try to agree
We can negotiate with the other parent or their solicitor, or support you through mediation. What you agree can be written down in a parenting plan.
Step 3: Apply to court if needed
If you can't agree, you'll usually need to attend a meeting with a mediator (a MIAM) first, unless an exemption applies. We then apply to court for the order you need, such as a child arrangements order.
Step 4: Safety checks and early hearings
Cafcass, the service that advises the family courts about children, carries out safety checks early on. The judge then decides what needs to happen next and may help you reach agreement.
Step 5: Reports and a final decision
The court may ask for a report on your children's needs and wishes. If you still can't agree, a judge decides at a final hearing, with your children's welfare as the most important consideration.
Orders the court can make
A child arrangements order sets out who a child lives with and when they spend time with each parent. A prohibited steps order stops a parent doing something without the court's permission, such as taking a child out of the country. A specific issue order settles one question you can't agree on, such as which school a child goes to or whether they should have medical treatment.
What the court focuses on
Your child's welfare is the court's most important consideration. The judge looks at things like your child's wishes and feelings, their needs, the effect of any change, any risk of harm, and how able each parent is to meet their needs.
The court presumes it's good for a child to have both parents involved in their life, as long as that's safe. That doesn't mean equal time. The court also tries to avoid delay, because delay is usually bad for children.
Who will handle your case
Every matter is supervised by
Sony Sadaf Haroon
Principal solicitor, SRA ID 482574
Your matter is run by one of our SRA-regulated solicitors. We'll tell you who your contact is when you instruct us.
Sony supervises our solicitors and caseworkers, and is the firm's Compliance Officer for Legal Practice and for Finance and Administration. She studied at SOAS University of London, was called to the Bar by Lincoln's Inn in 1997, and qualified as a solicitor in 2008.
Check us on the SRA register (opens in a new tab)In our clients' words
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I contacted Sony to get advice after my settlement application was refused. Her professional advice helped us to decide what would be the best option for the next step. The whole process was very quick and smooth, the correspondence was fantastic, and I received a positive decision from the HO literally a couple of hours after all necessary documentation was sent off. I would really recommend Sony Law for their professionalism, efficiency, understanding, and help, and I will definitely go back in the future if needed. Many thanks, Sony!
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I am incredibly grateful for the exceptional service provided by this solicitor firm during my UK visa application process. From the very beginning, they demonstrated a thorough understanding of immigration law and offered clear guidance tailored to my specific situation. Their professionalism and attention to detail made the complex application process much smoother. They were always available to answer my questions, providing timely updates and reassurance along the way. Thanks to their expertise and support, I successfully obtained my visa without any issues. I highly recommend their services to anyone seeking assistance with UK immigration matters. Their dedication truly made a difference!
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I used Sony Law after a recommendation from a friend, and they didn't let me down. They explained everything clearly and kept me updated throughout the process. There were no hidden charges, and they worked very hard throughout the case. I really recommend them, and the service was highly professional.
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Frequently asked questions
Do we have to go to court?
Not if you can agree. You can make arrangements between you, or with help from a mediator or solicitors. The court only makes an order if it's better for the child than making no order at all.
What is a MIAM?
A Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting is a short meeting with a mediator to see whether mediation could work for you. You usually need to attend one before applying to court, unless an exemption applies, such as domestic abuse or urgency.
What does Cafcass do?
Cafcass (Cafcass Cymru in Wales) is independent of the court and advises judges about children. It carries out safety checks and, if the court asks, may speak to you, the other parent, and your children and write a report.
Will my child get a say?
The court considers your child's wishes and feelings, in light of their age and understanding. Children don't usually go to court; a Cafcass officer may speak to them instead. Their views matter, but they don't decide the outcome on their own.
Can I take my child abroad on holiday?
You usually need the agreement of everyone with parental responsibility (the legal rights and duties of a parent), or the court's permission. If a child arrangements order says your child lives with you, you can usually take them abroad for up to a month without that agreement, unless the order says otherwise.
What if I'm worried about safety?
If anyone is in immediate danger, call 999. You can also call the free National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247, 24 hours a day. If you have concerns about your safety or your child's, tell us when you get in touch: the court can act quickly where a child may be at risk, and you may not need to attend mediation first.
Book a free 15-minute call
Tell us a little about your situation and pick a time. Our team will call you, explain how we can help and what it will cost.
It takes about two minutes. If you'd like us to help after the call, we send you a fixed quote in writing. There's no obligation.
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