Once you have separated from the child's mother, it can be difficult to feel as though you are being kept in the loop about major things in your child's life.  To stay informed about their child, it is often best for fathers to gain access to the child's medical and educational information.  It is common…

Since the Coronavirus pandemic hit the UK in March 2020, things have changed throughout the country and indeed the rest of the world. In spite of the closure of many businesses and services in order to minimise the spread of the virus, the courts have been one much needed service that have remained open. Of…

Whenever a relationship ends, there are bound to be hurt feelings and a lot of tension between the parties but sometimes, a relationship breaks down due to some form of abuse.  If you have been in an abusive relationship and are separating from your partner, you must make sure that you take the necessary steps…

Click the image to visit the Amazon link! I am really excited to announce that we can now offer a journal for anyone who is going through family court proceedings. There is a big gap in the market for anyone trying to self-represent in family court, or indeed anyone who is just trying to stay…

Separation not only means that a child's family ends up broken, but in some cases, one of the parents will want to change the child's surname too.  Whilst this may be a decision welcomed and understood by the child, often, it can be damaging to a child's identity.  If you or your ex wants to…

Why do you need a Consent Order?  If you have managed to reach an agreement outside of court about contact and residence, that's great news, but informal agreements are often subject to change and have no legal weight. If circumstances change or tensions rise between parents, such agreements can break down easily, leaving no option…

When determining child arrangements for contact, courts make considerations on a variety of factors, with the ultimate goal of promoting the best interests of the child and promoting a good relationship with both parents. Here are some of the most common considerations that courts take into account: The child's age, gender, and physical and mental…

Family court free or as close to free as possible is something that more and more separated parents need. The cost of living is rising and extra expenses are not affordable for many people. In addition to self representation as a Litigant in Person, you may also be able to access the family court free…

Financial considerations are a critical aspect of divorce law, as divorce cases often involve the division of assets, the calculation of child maintenance, spousal support, and other financial matters. Here are some of the most important financial considerations: Division of assets: One of the most significant financial considerations in family law is the division of…

When you apply to court, you will find that there are quite a number of forms to choose from.  For a lot of cases, there is just 1 form that you need to apply but if your case has additional elements, such as when you don't know where your ex is or if there has…

North West McKenzie Friends is a very small family run business.  We try to offer as much free advice as possible to ensure that parents are able to access helpful information to help them to represent themselves in court.  You will find sensible advice for working with the other parent as well as suggestions for…

In the United Kingdom, there are legal protections in place to protect individuals who are experiencing domestic violence. Some of these legal protections include: Domestic Violence Protection Orders (DVPOs): DVPOs are emergency protective orders that can be put in place to protect victims of domestic abuse. These orders can prohibit the abuser from contacting the…

Going through a separation can be a messy and ugly process.  Not only are there negative feelings between the parties, but it can also cause one or both people to fling mud at the other person and go as far as to make false allegations about the other parent.  This can be the result of…

Even if you have split up with the child's other parent, you will always be your child's parent, just as much as the other parent is.  This means that you both have a responsibility towards your child.  This involves bringing up the child to be a happy and well rounded member of society and making…

In the UK, paternity and DNA testing can be a crucial tool in family court proceedings. Whether you're seeking to establish paternity, contest paternity, or prove a biological relationship in a family dispute, DNA testing can provide vital evidence that can influence the outcome of a case. In this blog post, we'll take a closer…

We're sometimes asked what rights a man has if the child has not yet been born.  The simple answer to this is that there are no rights for the father of an unborn child.  Until the baby's birth is registered, the father cannot apply to court for an order and he does not have any…

When you go to court, there are certain security protocols that must be followed.  This applies to any court that you may be asked to attend so take this as a heads up.  We will explain here why this is and what you can and can’t take into court with you.  Hopefully this will avoid…

When you go to court, it's a good idea to make sure that you're prepared.  You don't need to have a solicitor with you and you may find that not using a colicitor may actually be beneficial.  For a start, you won't have to pay extortionate fees to a solicitor to do something that you…

When you split with your ex, it can be difficult to reach an agreement about contact with your children.  If the split is acrimonious, you may find that you are being denied contact altogether or that the mother of the child doesn't offer frequent or reliable contact.  As a loving father, it will be important…

The legal aspects of divorce can vary depending on the circumstances of the individual case, but some of the most common legal issues that arise in a divorce include: Grounds for divorce: In general, divorce can now be granted on the basis of fault or no-fault grounds. Fault grounds may include things like adultery, cruelty,…

In this article, we will take a look at the Welfare Checklist. Any time that a case concerning a child is brought to a courtroom, the court will always consider the best interests of the child or children involved.  Whilst some believe that the parents should be listened to and their opinions and requests should…

If you are thinking about going to court, you may need to attend a MIAM.  If you want to know more about what a MIAM is then read on as this article has all the information you need. What Does MIAM stand for? MIAM is short for Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting.  It is usually…

Maybe you've heard the phrase Parental Responsiblity in the past or perhaps you've only just heard it now that you are researching the court process.  If you want to know the answer to "what is parental responsibility?" then read on as this article will address this phrase and what it means. What Is Parental Responsibility?…

This article looks at the various options that may be available to you if you need help to pay legal costs in the family court.  We take a look at legal aid, eligibility and what is covered as well as the evidence that you will need to support your application for legal aid. What Is…

One thing that are asked quite frequently is whether grandparents can apply to the court for contact with their grandchildren. This is an understandable request, however it's not so simple in the family court. As grandparents don't normally hold parental responsibility for their grandchildren, the court needs grandparents to make a special application. In the…

Do I Have Parental Responsibility? If you are the biological mother of the child, then you will have parental responsibility automatically as soon as your baby is born. Fathers have Parental Responsibility (PR) if they are: Married to the child's mother at birth or conception Named on the birth certificate (by either registering the birth…