Articles

The Leaver and the Left

When the decision is finally reached that you are to separate, it is not unusual for couples to be in very different places emotionally and psychologically. Although people go throug... (continued)

What to Keep in Mind When Separating

Common issues, crucial things to keep in mind when separating On a scale of stressful life events, divorce/separation is ranked second after the death of a spouse/partner. True a... (continued)

Fathers’ Legal Rights and Responsibilities

Fathers don’t have ‘rights’ as such but they have what is known as ‘parental responsibility’ or PR. This is the legal name for the duties that a parent ... (continued)

Tips for Helping you Communicate with your Ex

One of the biggest challenges for separated parents is putting your feelings about your ex to one side. It's hard because it can take a long time to deal with the emotional adjus... (continued)

Handovers are Hard

If you are feeling awkward or upset at the prospect of facing your ex, then handovers can be very difficult. You may have to use all your powers of self control to stay calm. ... (continued)

Coping With Your Child's Reactions

Children react to separation and divorce in lots of different ways: They may feel partly responsible They may feel stuck in the middle and powerless to do anything ... (continued)

Communication

WHEN PARENTS FIRST SEPARATE Couples separate in all sorts of different ways; there’s the long talked about and planned separation at one extreme and the out of the blue sud... (continued)

Common barriers to making it work

Most parents experience some teething problems as they adapt to becoming co-parents. These can feel like insurmountable barriers at the time but with a bit of effort and understandin... (continued)

Housing Issues

  The risk of losing your home and uncertainty about future housing is a major worry when a relationship is ending. It’s important that you understand your legal right... (continued)

New Partners - Different Perspectives

It is natural for people to look for and form new relationships after divorce or separation.  For some this might have started prior to the separation whereas for others it can ... (continued)

Children Have to Cope With Changes In Families - But They Do Need Help!

Five steps to a successful family-based arrangement

Five steps to a successful family-based arrangement Most people who talk to Child Maintenance Options would rather make their own child maintenance arrangements than use the CSA.... (continued)

Arranging effective child maintenance

Arranging effective child maintenance If you’re separating from your child’s other parent then child maintenance will be one of many things you have to sort out. But ... (continued)

Using a 'weekly parenting plan'

Using a ‘Weekly Parenting Plan’   Most parents find that a regular and predictable pattern of contact works best for everyone. Some parents’ worry that... (continued)

Fears for the Future and Moving On

There's no getting away from the fact that separation and divorce is a one of life’s most painful experiences. In fact, most people say that it was worse than they ever exp... (continued)

New Partners - Different Perspectives

It is natural for people to look for and form new relationships after divorce or separation.  For some this might have started prior to the separation whereas for others it can ... (continued)

Parenting Plans

A Parenting Plan is a personal document detailing how you intend to share your duties and responsibilities as parents. It can include everything from where the children will live rig... (continued)

Helping your child deal with loyalty issues

  Loyalty issues for children after separation Loyalty conflicts for children arise when closeness to one parent means being disloyal to the other.  Children love b... (continued)

Housing Issues

  The risk of losing your home and uncertainty about future housing is a major worry when a relationship is ending. It’s important that you understand your legal right... (continued)

Is Shared Care for You?

Dads are more ‘hands on’ than ever before but the fact remains that in the UK, children are mostly cared for by mums. Most people’s work commitments are the big bar... (continued)

The Leaver and the Left

When the decision is finally reached that you are to separate, it is not unusual for couples to be in very different places emotionally and psychologically. Although people go throug... (continued)

Keeping in touch with your child's school

  An important way of helping your child do well is to show an interest and be actively involved in their education. Taking and collecting from school or getting involved in... (continued)

Handovers are Hard

If you are feeling awkward or upset at the prospect of facing your ex, then handovers can be very difficult. You may have to use all your powers of self control to stay calm. ... (continued)

Being Parents When You're no Longer in a Relationship

One of the trickiest things to do when a separation or divorce happens is to work out what your relationship towards each other should be like afterwards. If you don’t have chi... (continued)

What to Keep in Mind When Separating

Common issues, crucial things to keep in mind when separating On a scale of stressful life events, divorce/separation is ranked second after the death of a spouse/partner. True a... (continued)

Child Contact Centres

Child contact centres are neutral places where children meet the mother or father who no longer lives at home with them. They provide a valuable service in allowing contact to take p... (continued)

Fathers’ Legal Rights and Responsibilities

Fathers don’t have ‘rights’ as such but they have what is known as ‘parental responsibility’ or PR. This is the legal name for the duties that a parent ... (continued)

The Court and Cafcass – How Decisions are made if Parents can’t Agree

If you cannot agree the arrangements for your children and mediation is unsuitable, you can ask the court to decide for you. It is worth getting legal advice from a family solicitor ... (continued)

Benefits

Once you’re no longer living together, you’re classed as separated for tax and benefit purposes. Separating from your partner may mean that you become entitled to new ben... (continued)

Step Families

Step families – Guidelines to Help Your Children Through The Changes When you separate there is a good chance that at some point in the future, you and your children will b... (continued)