Do you need help with co-parenting?

By Sarah Wood-Heath

Co-parenting, in the context of building your family, is when you intend to parent a child with someone you are not in a relationship with. We have advised on many different co-parenting arrangements, some where the intention is that there are 2 parents, some where there are to be 3 or 4.  As the law only recognises a maximum of 2 legal parents, (and who acquires legal parenthood and parental responsibility is complex and dependent on the circumstances,) it is important that all parties to the arrangement fully understand their legal position, what their legal responsibilities will be for the child and how to acquire some formal legal status for the child if not acquired automatically.

Co-Parenting Agreement

If you are considering a co-parenting arrangement, you may wish to consider a co-parenting agreement. The preparation of this document will ensure that all parties are fully aware of their legal position and responsibilities in respect of the child, including who will be recognised in law as the legal parent, any applications other parents will need to make to acquire status and to agree future intentions..

Each agreement is bespoke but will cover issues such as:

• The intended role each parent will play in the child’s life and what the child will know them as.
• The living arrangements for the child and the time they will spend with each parent.
• The involvement of wider family members.
• Financial expectations and responsibility.
• Expectations around education and religion.

The benefit of having such an agreement prepared prior to conception, is that it helps all involved to discuss it in detail, in advance and identify any mismatch of expectation which helps ease the future path.

For more advice on Family Law contact Sarah Wood-Heath at Sampson Coward on 01722 410664 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  

By Sarah Wood-Heath