Hartnell Chanot: Divorce/Family Law Solicitors Exeter, Devon

Shared Residence Order

Shared residence order's give both parents shared responsibility for their child's upbringing.

One of the most difficult decisions facing parents with children is the division of responsibility and time with their children, but it is important to remember that your child has two parents, not one..

What is a shared residence order?

A shared residence order refers to a family arrangement following divorce or separation where both parents share responsibility for their child's upbringing. The order will specify the period of time that the child will spend with each parent, but it does not necessarily mean that the child will spend exactly equal time with each parent. Child maintenance payments are reduced for each night of the week that the child stays with the non-resident parent.

How common is a shared residence order?

In the past, shared residence orders would only be made in exceptional cases: but shared residence orders are now made more frequently than ever before. The court will not automatically make a shared residence order because each family’s circumstances will be different, and it is their responsibility to make a decision that reflects the best interests of each individual child.

What are the advantages of shared parenting?

• Children may be reluctant to 'choose' which parent to live with after family breakdown, and research shows that the children who best survive their parent's break-up are those maintaining significant and positive relationships with both parents.
  
• Children do best when both parents have a stable and meaningful involvement in their children's lives.
  
• Each parent has, and respects, that the other parent has different and valuable contributions to make to their children's development.
• Although parents live in separate places, children feel reassured that they have a home with each of them.
• Children need to be reassured that each parent has somewhere to live and to actually see that they are happy in their home.
  
• It ensures continuation of family life for the child, building lasting relationships with both parents rather than just one.
• Children have structured, routine time as well as unstructured time with each parent.
• Consistent rules and values in both households create a sense of security for children of any age.
  
• Children need to “have permission” from each parent to enjoy the time that they spend with the other parent

Useful Links

• Child Support Agency - Shared Parenting
• Equally Shared Parenting
• Books about Dads and Shared Parenting
• Parents Centre