Skip to content Skip to footer
Call 0800 652 8025 Request a consultation
Parents drawing with their child

Co-parenting solicitors

A co-parenting arrangement is where you parent a child with someone you are not in a relationship with. This may be a child you already have or a child that you plan to have.

You may have previously been in a relationship with the other person and you may choose to set out in writing how you will parent together now that your relationship has ended.

The other person may be somebody you have never been in a relationship with, for example a friend, and you may be embarking on a new parenting relationship together.

It might be that you and/or the other person are in relationships with other people and your intention is that there will be three or four parental figures. In this situation, it is important to understand how legal parental responsibility is granted in the UK and that only two people can be recognised as legal parents.

Co-parenting agreements

If you are entering into a co-parenting arrangement you may wish to consider creating a co-parenting agreement. This comprehensive document will set out your agreed intentions for the future and there are various frameworks available. We find that preparing a co-parenting agreement helps our clients identify any mismatch of expectation and can ease the path for everybody involved.

A co-parenting agreement is not a legally binding document. However it can help any disputes be resolved more smoothly.

The agreement will be bespoke to your particular arrangement. Examples of what it might cover include:

  • What role each parent will play in the child’s life
  • Who the child will live with and where
  • What each parent’s financial responsibility is
  • Expectations around education
  • How much time the parents will spend together with the child

Co-parenting and legal parenthood / parental responsibility

A co-parenting agreement does not grant legal parenthood or parental responsibility. The law can be complex in recognising who is a child’s legal parent. When entering a co-parenting arrangement, it is important you are clear about who the legal parents are as there can only be two. If a person is a legal parent it means they are financially responsible for the child and it can also determine inheritance rights.

In the UK, the person who gives birth is always recognised as a legal parent unless they choose to relinquish their status through adoption or a parental order. The other legal parent will be determined by the status of the parties involved, and where and how conception takes place. It is therefore important to understand the arrangement you are entering into and who will acquire legal parent status.

The second arm of parenthood is parental responsibility. This provides the right to make important decisions about the welfare and day to day upbringing of the child. It is possible to be a legal parent without having parental responsibility and vice versa. If a person is named on the birth certificate, that person will have legal parental responsibility for the child unless they relinquish it.

There is no limit to the number of people who can have parental responsibility. It can be acquired after the birth of the child for those who do not automatically acquire parental status.

If a co-parenting arrangement is being entered into, we advise seeking legal advice. This will ensure that everyone involved will understand to whom legal parenthood will fall in their particular situation and other legal status, such as parental responsibility, is obtained for those who do not have it.

How to manage co parenting disputes post-separation

In this video, our partner in the family team, Clare Webb explains your options for tackling any co-parenting challenge you are facing following the breakdown of your relationship with the other parent. 

<

Contact a co-parenting solicitor

Our co-parenting solicitors have a wealth of experience in helping clients enter into co-parenting arrangements, whatever their circumstance. We can also support you with acquiring parental status if required. Request a consultation with our specialist team or contact us directly on 0800 422 0123.

Your key contacts

Rayner Grice

Partner

Birmingham
Rayner advises on the issues that arise for an individual following the breakdown of a relationship in relation to divorce/civil partnership dissolution, their financial affairs and their children.
View profile for Rayner Grice >

Adam Maguire

Partner

Birmingham
Adam specialises in divorce and family law. He advises clients regarding all aspects of private family law including cohabitation, separation, divorce and related financial issues, disputes concerning children and nuptial agreements.
View profile for Adam Maguire >

Clare Webb

Partner

Bristol
Clare has built her practice with a commitment to helping her clients resolve their issues in a constructive and conciliatory way. In doing so, she will always have regard to the longterm hopes and aspirations for the family as a whole, whilst of course protecting her client’s interest.
View profile for Clare Webb >

Philippa Yeo

Partner

Bristol
Philippa is committed to helping couples navigate all aspects of the legal process on the breakdown of their relationship in a pragmatic, collaborative and family-focused way including supporting couples to reach arrangements for their children and achieve healthy future co-parenting relationships.
View profile for Philippa Yeo >

Latest news and articles

Divorce and family law

Protecting inheritance from divorce

Many consider that inheritances ought to be ring-fenced on divorce for the party to whom it has been left but the law is not that straightforward. However, there are steps which can be taken to minimise the risk of inherited assets being “invaded” in the event of a divorce.
Read more on Protecting inheritance from divorce

Looking for legal advice?