Divorce and the impact on children - Crombie Wilkinson Solicitors York, Selby, Malton

Divorce and Children

The breakdown of a relationship can be difficult and stressful. When there are children involved it is very important to think about and give consideration to how your separation will affect them. The advice we give is that you respect each other where possible when the children are around, remember to them you are still their parents and they do not want to see you arguing or being disrespectful with each other.

Sometimes children can feel like it is their fault and something they have done to make their parents separate. You need to make sure you have reassured the children involved that they are not to blame and that sometimes grown-up relationships do not work and it is better for everyone involved for them to live apart.

If you get divorced, you do not lose parental responsibility and you will continue to be the child’s full legal parent whether or not they live with you.

To clarify what parental responsibility is, it is a legal term to describe the rights and duties that parents have towards their children. When a child is born the mother automatically has parental responsibility. The father also does if he is married to the mother at the time of birth in the case of children born after 1 December 2003 or if he registers the child’s birth with the mother. Parental responsibility can also be achieved by a formal written Agreement or Court Order.

‘The Guide for Separated Parents : Putting your children first’ by Karen and Nick Woodall. Click here to read more about what you can do for your children when you have decided to separate.

The Crombie Wilkinson Solicitors Family Team

Our team of family and children specialists have a wealth of experience and expertise in dealing with separation and divorce problems. The appropriate adviser will be allocated to you to ensure the best family law advice is obtained.

Our experience is recognised by membership of several organisations including the Law Society Children Panel, Law Society Family Panels and Resolution.

To speak to one of our family lawyers, simply select one of the staff profiles. Alternatively, you can make a general enquiry using the contact details at the bottom of this page.