February 20, 2012
More divorcing couples must reach agreement on access to their children for grandparents through mediation and not the courts, the government has claimed.
The move calls for separating parents to agree to give children contact with their grandparents when signing up to the arrangements, although ministers will stop short of full legal rights for grandparents, according to reports.
Currently, most children remain with their mothers after divorce, often leaving fathers with little access to their children. As a result, paternal grandparents can often lose contact altogether.
But the government hopes that by encouraging mediation and not court proceedings, parents can ensure that their children do not lose contact with their extended families after separation.
“Children get a huge amount of love and support from grandparents. That’s why we will do what we can to ensure that grandparents can remain part of their grandchild’s life if their mum and dad separate,” said a government spokesperson.
Following such announcements, the government will include a new direction for grandparents’ access to be considered in updated guidelines for divorcing couples. Parents who are separating will then be expected to take account of rules when they draw up their parenting agreements, or through mediation.
The move follows a government-commissioned review of family law. Ministers will publish their full response today, including a new legal right for children to have a proper relationship with both their parents after a divorce for the first time.
For more on what the reforms might mean for you, and how you can engage in mediation, contact our family legal experts.
