Co-parenting agreements
Co-parenting solicitors to help you secure your child’s wellbeing
Deciding the terms of a co-parenting agreement that will dictate how you intend to raise your child with another person or a group of people is an intricate process, and one that everyone involved will want to get right.
Whether you already have a child or you are planning to, our expert co-parenting solicitors can help you reach an agreement centred on your child’s best interests, that works for you all, so you can move forward together with clarity, certainty and confidence.
For expert legal advice on creating a co-parenting agreement, call 0800 422 0123 or get in touch online to arrange an initial consultation to discuss your situation in confidence with a specialist solicitor.
On this page
- Who we can help
- Why make a co-parenting agreement?
- Co-parenting and legal parenthood
- Co-parenting and parental responsibility
- Co-parenting disputes
- Why choose our co-parenting solicitors?
Who our co-parenting solicitors can help
We have a wealth of experience helping people from all walks of life agree how they will raise a child together and can also assist with acquiring parental status if required.
We can help you create a co-parenting agreement with:
- Someone you were in a relationship with but are now separated from or divorced.
- Someone you have never been in a relationship with, for example a friend.
- A group of people to give your child more than two parental figures. (In this situation, it is important to understand how legal parental responsibility is granted in the UK.)
Why draw up a co-parenting agreement?
If you are entering into a parenting arrangement, you may wish to consider creating a co-parenting agreement.
Although not legally binding, this comprehensive document will set out your agreed intentions for the future. Preparing a co-parenting agreement can help identify any mismatch in expectations between you, easing the path for everybody involved and enabling any disputes to be resolved more smoothly.
The agreement will be bespoke to your particular co-parenting arrangement. Examples of what a co-parenting agreement 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 agreements and legal parenthood
A co-parenting agreement does not grant legal parenthood or parental responsibility, so it’s important that it clearly states who the legal parents are as there can only be two.
A legal parent is financially responsible for the child. Legal parenthood can also determine inheritance rights. However, the law can be complex in recognising who a child’s legal parent is.
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 marital/civil partner 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.
Co-parenting and parental responsibility
Parental responsibility is the right to make important decisions about the welfare and day to day upbringing of the child. It’s 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 recommend seeking legal advice to ensure that everyone involved understands who has legal parenthood and any other legal status, such as parental responsibility, is obtained for those who do not have it.
Co-parenting disputes
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.
Why choose our co-parenting solicitors?
- Diligently managed costs and competitive rates
- Understanding and pragmatic approach to your co-parenting situation
- Professional family mediators and collaborative lawyers on the team
- Members of Resolution and dedicated to their non-confrontational approach to family matters
- Highly rated for family law by The Legal 500 and Chambers Guide
- Legal specialists across the firm who can advise on any other issues that arise
Recommendations
‘The team is very responsive, clearly work well as a team and keep one another informed. Always keep commitments. Very happy with the service and advice they’re providing.’ – The Legal 500 2025
‘Collaborative working makes this team a force to be reckoned with; they are thoughtful and responsive and work hard together to get the job done for their client.’ – The Legal 500 2025
“Clarke Willmott have really good attention to detail and provide information well in advance.” – Chambers 2025
“I have really noticed the depth and skill across the board at Clarke Willmott. All queries are handled promptly and difficult matters are dealt with sensitively and pragmatically.” – Chambers 2025
Contact a co-parenting solicitor
To discuss a co-parenting agreement with a specialist solicitor, get in touch online or call 0800 422 0123 to request a consultation. Our solicitors are available nationwide from our offices in Bristol, Birmingham, London, Manchester, Cardiff, Southampton and Taunton.
