What are typical child contact arrangements?

Assessing typical child contact arrangements can be difficult.

Typically following a divorce or separation the children will reside with one parent who has child custody and the other parent will need to agree child contact arrangements with the resident parent. Child contact arrangements dictate where and when the non-resident parent will see and have contact with their child.

Many separating parents will often be able to put aside their personal differences and will be able to agree child contact arrangements between themselves without the need for court involvement.

What are typical child contact arrangements which are commonly used?

There are many different types of contact. The type of child contact arrangements you agree with your child’s other parent can change over time and will vary depending on individual family circumstances and needs of children. Typical child contact arrangements can be for short periods of time such as a few hours, or it can be for days or weeks at a time.

Many children stay overnight with their non-resident parent on a regular basis whilst others see their children for a shorter period of the day or have regular weekend contact. Most parents will be able to create child contact arrangements between themselves which will assist in reducing legal fees and expenses.

How can typical child contact arrangements work during term time?

Many non-resident parents often question how can typical child contact arrangements work during term time? Parents often feel that during term time the child contact maybe restricted due to the child attending school, after school clubs, carrying out extra-curricular activities and sleeping early. Typical child contact arrangements during term time can vary. This might be an arrangement whereby the non-resident parent has contact on alternate weekends with overnight stay and maybe an evening each week. If the non-resident parent has an evening contact they will usually collect the child from school and depending on whether they have overnight contact will be responsible for dropping the child off to school.

If this is not practical for parents due to work commitments, then parents usually agree on regular weekend contact during term time to allow the non-resident parent to spend time with their children.

What are typical child contact arrangements during seasonable holidays?

Seasonable holidays can often be an exciting and difficult time for separating parents. It is important that parents work together to plan the child contact arrangements to take place during seasonable holidays. It is usually helpful to make a list of all the school holiday dates and how much childcare is needed so that your former partner and family can understand the situation, especially if you work to ensure you are free for your child contact. Spread out your days together over the school holidays so both parents have a chance to spend quality time with children. If a parent is planning to take their children away during the seasonable holidays it is beneficial to discuss plans with your former partner early and reach an agreement to avoid any issues later on.

Child Contact during festive holidays

Contact during festive holidays can be quite emotional as one parent may not have contact during Christmas, Easter or special days such as Father’s Day, mother’s day and birthdays. Children could spend the main festival day or birthday at one home one year and at the other parent’s house the following day. If such an arrangement is not possible children can have more than one festive holiday by spending a different day to allow both parents and children to celebrate together. If you cannot agree on taking the child abroad then you may need secure permission from the Court.

Consult with a family lawyer for advice

Contact our family law specialists on 0330 094 5880 or let us call you back to discuss your child contact arrangements and assist you in securing these. We also assist with advising on applications to the family court for child contact arrangements where parents are unable to agree between themselves.     

With family lawyers in York, Newcastle, Manchester, London, Oxford we are proud to be able to service clients nationally across the country.