As of 22 April 2014 extensive family law reforms have been instituted by the Children and Families Act 2014. On the whole, courts overwhelmingly prefer that both parents stay close together following a divorce. The programme applies for these international families in the same way save that prior attendance at a MIAM is not needed if the parent applying to court lives overseas. Now these orders are no more and the label of 'residence' has disappeared. While this can include things like spousal support (alimony), property division, and child custody, it can also include more immediate and practical matters – like where you’ll live during the divorce. Deciding on Post-Divorce Living Arrangements: “I find it amusing that an alternative form of joint custody, called birdnesting, in which the children stay 'home' and the parents go back and forth, is too taxing for most adults. Traditionally, care of the children was awarded to the mother, unless there were extraordinary factors that dictated otherwise. The larger the distances between parents, the less involved the contact.B) When parents separate from each other at greater distances, each parent becomes an island. 240 Blackfriars Road London SE1 8NW DX 53 Chancery Lane, Telephone: +44 (0)20 7629 7411 What Is the Court’s Approach to Deciding on Child Living Arrangements After Divorce? The programme places great emphasis on out-of-court dispute resolution. The government's aim is to restore confidence in the family court system and to reduce court applications by encouraging alternate methods of … One of the most difficult changes for children in divorced families to adjust to is living in two homes. Parents are encouraged to work together to devise a parenting plan to use in mediation and in any proceedings and there is a section in the programme dedicated to signposting a range of various services to help families. After an initial flurry of parental interest, this option has been largely abandoned.”- Wallerstein, Lewis & Blakeslee (2000, p. 213). On the other, often times such a move arises because a parent gets a job or has an opportunity to better his or her circumstances. For many, the first and most helpful step will be to start a Parenting Plan. Next - Step-kids & Non Biological Children, Chapter 11TopicsDivorce & Child CustodyCommon CustodyQuestionsTypes of Child CustodyWhat’s BestFor the KidsFactors in Custody DecisionsSpecial Custody EvaluationsDeciding on Living ArrangementsStep-kids & Non Biological Children, “I find it amusing that an alternative form of joint custody, called birdnesting, in which the children stay 'home' and the parents go back and forth, is too taxing for most adults. Obviously, someone is going to have to move and create a new home. Living In Two Homes After Divorce. Be dependable, reliable, and make them laugh. Too many times, the father moves out and … 4 Reasons Not to Buy Something Big During Your Divorce (Kelly & Lamb, 2003) On one hand, there is considerable weight given to the reasonable desire that a non-custodial parent has to maintain a relationship with the child. Additionally, an older child may require more space than a younger child. The Child Arrangements Programme 2014 (the programme) concerns the arrangements for children where a dispute arises following relationship breakdown. When parents get divorced, they are splitting apart a child’s two most important people. Parents are being encouraged to come to an agreement, rather than letting the court decide for them. What are the new rules? Nobody else to help get them to soccer practice on that day when you have an important meeting. After an initial flurry of parental interest, this option has been largely abandoned.”. The aspiration is that the change in terminology and in particular the dropping of the 'residence' label will encourage a less confrontational relationship between parents. For families living overseas and one parent relocates to England and Wales with the children leaving the other parent abroad, the children will come under the jurisdiction of the English courts if they live here.