The laws behind a contact order

A Contact Order is simple, but very important to many parents. They are used to ensure that the parent who does not live with their child still has contact with them during their upbringing. This contact should be regular, and meaningful. Contact with both parents has been proved to be very beneficial to children, so applications for contact will almost always be granted, especially if one parent is blocking contact with the other.

If the parent of your child will not let you see them, then it is important to make an application to the courts for Contact. They are almost never rejected. Contact orders can also solve smaller disputes such as who will collect the child from school, or deliver them to the other parent. This along with when and where the contact will take place is written into the order.

How do contact orders work?

An application should be made to the British courts. This is simply filling out the correct forms and sending it to them. There is little need to visit the courts in person. The order will be made in regard to the parent who is applying for contact, and not in regard to the child.

Once in place it will not be allowed for the resident parent to block contact between the child and their parent. Therefore contact in many forms is encouraged: Sending letters, making telephone calls and regular visits. A contact order will also specify the amount of time that will be spent in physical contact with the child. The conditions of contact will also be specified in some circumstances, such as monitored contact or contact in a specific place, such as a home or public area.

The decision to make the order will be based on improving the child's welfare. If contact will improve the child's welfare then it will be granted. This is the same as all orders regarding children; they will only be made if they will actively improve the child's welfare and quality of life.

Grandparents and Contact Orders

Contact orders are not restricted to parents. They can be made with relatives such as Grandparents to allow them to see their extended family; this is also seen as better for the child's quality of life. However, it is best if the relative has parental responsibility, otherwise the process is different and slightly more complicated. However, getting a parental responsibility order is relatively straight forward if you can prove that it is in the child's best interest.