DIVORCED and separated parents could face the risk of legal action if they fail to agree on where their children will spend Christmas, a Bromsgrove solicitor warns.
Alison Webber, a family and child law specialist at the law firm MFG Solicitors, has said that due to new legal provisions which came into force in time for the festive season, it is now assumed that both parents should be involved in caring for their children in the event of a separation.
Ms Webber said: “Hopefully most parents who live apart will have by now agreed where their children will be for Christmas and new year.
“But many are unaware that if there is a dispute, the courts can intervene and the new legal provision which came into force on October 22 will now also be taken into account.
“It is obvious that divorce and separation is never easy and it can make Christmas especially difficult.
“But as we approach the festive season we have been sitting down with parents who are finding that it is far better to come to a compromise.
“The last thing anyone wants to be dealing with at this time of year is a court hearing. But parents must realise that if it does come to that then the court has the power and will use it."
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