Many parents are able to work out arrangements for where the children are going to live and how much time they are going to spend with the absent parent but unfortunately there are many couples who, for a variety of reasons, are unable to sort out residence and contact issues between themselves.

Residence determines who a child or children live with on a day to day basis.

Contact determines how and when a child or children are to have contact with the parent with whom they do not live.

Under the Children Act 1989 the court also has the power to deal with specific issues which may become disputed between parents or to make orders prohibiting one parent from taking steps in relation to a child that the other parent objects to. Often because of the very nature of the dispute court proceedings will be necessary and Maddersons have considerable experience in dealing with such matters.