How we help
Personal Support Across Every Area of Child Custody
Questions about parental responsibility often come as part of a wider dispute about child arrangements, sometimes still referred to as “child custody”. Having supported more than 3,000 cases, we help you understand your position at every stage.
Child Arrangement Order
A child arrangement order outlines where your child lives and when they spend time with each parent. We help you prepare your application and understand every stage of the proceedings.
Parental Alienation
If you believe your child’s relationship with you is being undermined, we can help. McKenzie Picave supports you to gather the evidence the court needs to see.
Prohibited Steps Order
If you need to prevent a particular decision being made about your child, McKenzie Picave will explain how a prohibited steps order will work.
Cafcass Guide
Understand the Cafcass process and what a safeguarding check involves. We help you prepare confidently for a conversation with a Cafcass officer.
Specific Issue Order
When parents cannot agree on an important decision, a specific issue order allows the court to decide the matter.
Grandparents’ Rights
If contact with your grandchild has stopped, we explain the legal options available and the court process involved.
Who Has Parental Responsibility?
Parental responsibility is not a measure of involvement in a child’s life; it is a legal status that reflects the rights and obligations of parents. Individuals can hold parental responsibility even if the child doesn’t live with them. Equally, spending time with your child does not automatically mean that you have parental responsibility.
A child’s mother automatically has parental responsibility from birth. A father does not always have it. He will usually gain it if married to the mother, or by being named on the birth certificate, if the child was born after 1 December 2003.
However, there are other ways to gain parental responsibility. Parents who agree can enter a Parental Responsibility Agreement, registered with the court. However, if parents can’t agree, the family court can make a Parental Responsibility Order instead, based on the child’s best interests.
Parental responsibility enables you to take part in decisions that affect your child’s life. These decisions can include their education, medical treatment, religion and, sometimes even, where they live.
Even if both parents hold parental responsibility, disagreements can still happen. In this case, a Specific Issue Order or a Prohibited Steps Order may be necessary. Understanding your positions early helps you to avoid any unnecessary delays.
Considered insights on the law that affects you
That Family Law Guy: Unfiltered
Our founder’s podcast and articles unpack the legal issues we see most often in non-legal jargon.
McKenzie Friend Support
McKenzie Friend Support in Leicester, Leicestershire and the Rest of England
Applying for parental responsibility can feel daunting, especially if you’re involved in wider family court proceedings. The paperwork, court process, terminology and deadlines often leave parents confused and unsure where to start.
At McKenzie Picave, we help you understand the process from the beginning. We explain how parental responsibility fits into your case and help you prepare the necessary documents. We also ensure you understand the court’s expectations at each stage.
With more than 3,000 family law cases and 25,000 courtroom hours behind us, we understand how these applications are approached in practice. We provide you with honest guidance about your circumstances and help you prepare your case with confidence.
Should the matter require a barrister, our partner chambers cover England and Wales. They understand how we work and support your case to progress smoothly.
You Don’t Have to Face This Alone
McKenzie Picave is here to support you throughout the parental responsibility process. We will help you understand what parental responsibility means and how it applies to your circumstances. We’ll also set out the practical next steps you can take.
Contact Us
Confidential, no-obligation consultation
For more information or to request a callback, please fill in the form below. A member of our team will respond shortly.
Tell us what’s happening and what you need.
We help you organise documents, write statements and know what to expect.
We are by your side for every hearing and every step after.
FAQs
What is parental responsibility?
Parental responsibility describes the legal authority to make important decisions about a child’s upbringing. This includes matters such as education, medical treatment, religion and where the child lives. It also places legal responsibilities on those who hold it.
Does every father automatically have parental responsibility?
No. This depends on the circumstances. This includes whether he was married to the child’s mother or is named on the birth certificate in accordance with the law in England and Wales.
Can I apply for parental responsibility?
Yes. If you do not already have parental responsibility, you may be able to obtain it. This can be through a Parental Responsibility Agreement or by applying to the family court for an order. There is no single route, as the right option depends on your circumstances
Can a McKenzie Friend help with parental responsibility?
Absolutely. McKenzie Picave can help you prepare documents, organise your evidence, explain the court process and provide support throughout your case.
Recent articles
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