Parents often say that their children are what is most precious to them. Today, complex blended families are far more common than they used to be, and it is therefore more important than ever to ensure that what is most precious to you is taken care of no matter happens — and making sure that your child has the security and stability they need to thrive often requires you to think about more than one area of law.
There are many issues that are more complex than they may at first appear — for example, issues such as who should make decisions for your child if you become unwell during a family holiday abroad with a new partner who is not your child’s biological parent. Matters such as these are not always straightforward, and so it is important that every individual involved in a child’s life is working together for the sake of the child’s best interests, wherever and whenever possible.
Parental responsibility agreements, child arrangements orders, special guardianship orders, or even mediated agreements can all help to solidify everyone’s understanding of who is responsible for doing what (and when) in respect to a child.
It’s also important to consider what happens in the worst case scenario — in which someone with responsibility for the child dies. A will allows you to ensure that your children inherit according to your wishes, and furthermore you can appoint executors who will ensure their interests are protected. A will also enables you to appoint guardians if your children are still under 18 years of age.
As you can see, these issues are not straightforward. The best arrangement for one family is not necessarily the best arrangement for another. Independent legal advice is essential in order to make sure that you get the best arrangements put in place for your family — based on your specific circumstances — and that these are reviewed in the event that your life and/or circumstances change.
For further information regarding any of these areas, don’t hesitate to get in touch. You can reach Mary Dargue — Family Law Solicitor and Children Law specialist — at marydargue@aldersonlaw.co.uk.