Legal status in relation to children
For most traditional families, it is not difficult to ascertain who a child’s parents are. However, for the growing numbers of families conceived through fertility treatment (particularly donor conception and surrogacy) and alternative family structures, the legal status of the adults involved in a child’s life can be more complex.
The information on this page explains who has legal status in respect of a child, and how status can be acquired if you do not have it automatically.
Find out more about:
Legal parenthood and adoption
Parental responsibility
Guardianship and special guardianship
Legal status: how can we help?
Please contact us if you would like our help with:
- advising you on your existing status in relation to a child,
- representing you in any dispute over who your child’s legal parents are,
- advising you on your options for acquiring or changing your status in respect of a child (with particular expertise representing intended parents in surrogacy situations, same sex parents and co-parents in both agreed and contested situations),
- helping you to apply for adoption, a parental order, parental responsibility, guardianship or special guardianship (whether in an agreed or contested situation) or
- making a will to appoint guardians for your child.
