Fathers Rights Solicitors
At Sugare & Co Solicitors, our children law solicitors in Leeds have extensive experience advising fathers on their rights in relation to their children.
We regularly assist fathers in disputes concerning child arrangements (often referred to as child custody), including where a child lives and the time they spend with each parent. We understand how important it is for fathers to maintain a meaningful relationship with their children and provide clear, practical advice tailored to your situation.
If you require advice, do not hesitate to get in touch with our specialist family fathers rights solicitors. Simply call us on 0113 244 6978 or use our online enquiry form to request a free consultation at a convenient time for you.
Understanding Fathers’ Rights
Fathers do not have fewer rights than mothers in law. The court’s primary concern is always the welfare of the child.
This means that, regardless of whether you are the mother or father, the court will consider what arrangements are in the child’s best interests.
However, issues can arise, such as:
- I have been stopped from seeing my child
- I want to see my child more often
- My child’s mother keeps changing the arrangements
- I want my child to live with me
If one of these scenarios is you, then give one of our fathers rights solicitors a call today so that we can help.
Why choose Sugare & Co Solicitors? ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
At Sugare & Co Solicitors, we provide:
- Clear, practical advice from the outset
- Extensive experience in children law matters
- In house advocacy for continuity of representation
- A strategic approach focused on achieving workable and sustainable arrangements
- Close links with fathers rights support organisations.
- The head of our Family Law department, Daniel Sugare, is renowned for his fight for parents.
We act for fathers across Leeds, Harrogate, London and nationwide and focus on achieving outcomes that support a meaningful relationship between you and your child.
Parental Responsibility for Fathers
A key issue for many fathers is whether they have parental responsibility. Parental responsibility gives you legal rights and responsibilities in relation to your child, including involvement in important decisions such as education, medical treatment and religion.
Fathers will usually have parental responsibility if:
- They are married to the child’s mother
- They are named on the child’s birth certificate (in most cases after 1 December 2003)
If you do not have parental responsibility, there are steps that can be taken to obtain it.
See our Parental Responsibility page for more detailed guidance.
Child Arrangements (Child Custody)
Disputes involving fathers often relate to child arrangements, including:
- Where the child lives
- When the child spends time with each parent
The court can make a Child Arrangements Order to determine these issues where agreement cannot be reached.
For more information, see our:
What to Do if You Are Being Denied Contact
If you are a father and are not being allowed to see your child, it is important to act promptly.
In many cases, matters can be resolved through negotiation or mediation. However, where this is not possible, an application to the court may be required.
We regularly assist fathers in:
- Re-establishing contact
- Securing regular and consistent arrangements
- Representing them in court proceedings
You can also visit our Child Contact Solicitors Leeds page.
The Court’s Approach
The court does not favour one parent over the other. The focus is on what arrangements are in a child’s best interests.
This includes considering:
- The child’s needs
- The child’s relationship with each parent
- Any risks or welfare concerns
- The ability of each parent to meet the child’s needs
- The wishes and feelings of a child
The court will usually encourage both parents to play an active role in the child’s life, where it is safe to do so.
Frequently Asked Questions for Fathers
Do fathers have the same rights as mothers in the UK?
Yes, the court does not favour one parent over the other and will always make decisions based on the welfare of the child, i.e what is in the child’s best interests.
Can a father get equal shared care of a child?
In some cases, yes. The court will consider whether shared care is in the child’s best interests and whether it is practical based on the circumstances.
What should I do if I am being denied contact with my child?
You should seek legal advice as soon as possible. In some cases, disputes can be resolved without court, but you may need to apply for a Child Arrangements Order.
Do fathers automatically have parental responsibility?
Not always. Fathers will usually have parental responsibility if they are married to the child’s mother or named on the birth certificate (in most cases after 1 December 2003).
Can a mother stop a father seeing a child?
There is no law that says a child must see a parent a certain number of times per week or at all. However, the Court will look dimly on a parent that stops the child seeing the other parent unless there are genuine concerns about the child’s welfare in that parents care. If this is happening, you should seek legal advice urgently.
Do I need to go to court to see my child?
This is not always the case as we seek to resolve disputes through negotiation. Court may be necessary if an agreement cannot be reached.
For more detailed guidance, see our:
Speak to a Fathers’ Rights Solicitor in Leeds
If you require advice about your rights as a father or arrangements for your child, we can help.
Call 0113 244 6978
Or complete our online enquiry form to organise a free consultation