(England & Wales)
Create your child arrangement agreement with residence schedules, contact provisions, holiday arrangements, and handover protocols.
Professionally drafted — structured following Children Act 1989 principles for England and Wales.
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Whether you prefer step-by-step guidance or a traditional form, both methods produce the identical professionally-formatted child arrangement agreement. Choose the style that suits you.
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Get our Child Arrangements Pack – includes Child Arrangement Agreement, Parenting Plan, Travel Consent Letter, Child Maintenance Agreement, and Parental Responsibility Agreement in one complete bundle.
One comprehensive template for separated parents – whether divorcing, separating, or never married – who need clear, written arrangements for their children.
A child arrangement agreement is a written document setting out where children live and how time is shared between separated parents, including contact schedules, handover arrangements, and decision-making responsibilities.
A child arrangement agreement is a written document created by separated parents that sets out where children will live and how time will be shared between both parents. It covers everything from regular weekly schedules to holiday arrangements, handover procedures, and how important decisions about the children will be made.
Unlike a Child Arrangements Order made by the court, a private agreement is created by parents themselves without court involvement. Private agreements are faster, cheaper, and less stressful for children. While not automatically legally binding, they can be converted to a Consent Order through the court if needed.
Our agreement is structured following Children Act 1989 principles with the child's welfare as the paramount consideration.
Without a formal written agreement, families face uncertainty, ongoing disputes over holidays and handovers, potential court costs of £5,000-£15,000, and stress that impacts children's wellbeing and routine.
Child arrangement agreement: £10. Family solicitor for court proceedings: £5,000-£15,000. Court application fees: £232. Barrister for final hearing: £2,000-£5,000 per day.
A £10 agreement can prevent years of conflict and thousands in legal fees.
Our template provides comprehensive coverage of residence, contact schedules, holiday arrangements, handover procedures, educational and medical decision-making, and dispute resolution mechanisms tailored to your family's needs.
Professional, comprehensive, and child-focused documentation.
Related documents: Parents often also create a Parenting Plan for detailed day-to-day co-parenting, Travel Consent Letter for holidays abroad, and Child Maintenance Agreement for financial support.
Avoid common pitfalls like vague language, forgetting holidays, ignoring children's views, and lack of flexibility provisions. Focus on child welfare rather than parental convenience and include clear review mechanisms.
Our template helps avoid these mistakes with child-focused provisions and guidance notes.
Complete all sections relevant to your family situation. Focus on your children's needs rather than parental preferences. Be specific about schedules to avoid future disagreements. Include provisions for change as children grow. Consider converting to a Consent Order for legal enforceability if needed.
Private child arrangement agreements carry significant weight in court proceedings, though they're not automatically legally binding.
To make arrangements legally enforceable, you can apply for a Consent Order through the court, which turns your agreement into a court order. Most parents find that a well-drafted agreement is followed without needing court enforcement.
Family solicitors typically charge £500-£2,000+ for drafting a child arrangement agreement, depending on complexity and location.
If disputes escalate to court, costs can reach £5,000-£15,000 per parent. Our template at £10 provides professionally-drafted language based on UK law, giving you the same quality document without the solicitor's fee.
Yes, absolutely. Many parents successfully create and use agreements without legal representation.
Our template guides you through each section with plain-English explanations. It's structured following Children Act 1989 principles and includes everything courts expect to see. You get professional-quality language without the solicitor's hourly rate.
A child arrangement agreement is a private document you create between parents without court involvement. A Child Arrangements Order is made by the court and is legally enforceable.
Many parents start with a private agreement and only go to court if they cannot agree or if circumstances change. Private agreements are faster, cheaper, and less stressful for children.
You don't need a solicitor to create a child arrangement agreement, though some parents choose one for peace of mind.
Our template is designed for parents who prefer to do this themselves. It includes all necessary clauses, guidance notes, and is structured following UK family law principles. If you later need enforceability, you can apply for a Consent Order (which typically costs £200-£500 in court fees).
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Here's what we don't do: Other sites advertise "free templates" — you spend 15 minutes filling one in, then they demand your card for a "free trial" that charges £35–£42/month when you forget to cancel. Worse, many are US-based and won't hold up under UK law. (Read about the scam)
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