Having a child with another person means that you have something shared between you for the rest of your lives.

Relationships may not be so enduring and when parents separate, it is essential that the needs of the child are central to any decision made.

If you feel like your co-parent is doing something that is not in your child’s best interests, you need to know how to put a stop to it.

What can I stop my ex doing with our children?

If your separation or divorce has been managed effectively, you should have some form of co-parenting agreement in place.

This will outline the rights and responsibilities of both parents and should have been established in accordance with the best interests of the child.

Even with a co-parenting arrangement, there can be challenges that arise when new situations emerge.

If you do end up in conflict with the co-parent of your child, it might be possible to use a Prohibited Steps Order (PSO).

A PSO will stop any decision from being made without the express consent of the other parent or the court.

The most common disagreements that lead to a PSO include:

· Changing a child’s surname

· Removing a child from the UK

· Relocating with a child within the UK

· Medical treatment of a child

· Choosing a child’s school, moving a child to a different school, or removing a child from school

· Who the child can be in contact with

· Places where a child can be taken

· Changing a child’s religion

Only once private deliberation has been attempted and failed can a PSO be applied.

Will a Protected Steps Order help me?

It is worth keeping in mind that a PSO can be used by you and against you as well, so always ensure that you are abiding by the terms of your co-parenting agreement.

A child’s parent or guardian can apply for a PSO, as well as the named person with whom the child lives, or anybody else who has parental responsibility for the child.

Most PSOs are deemed to be non-urgent and can take up to a year to be processed.

During this time, the other party will be told about the application and will have the opportunity to object.

Once the court has heard both sides, it will determine whether to grant the PSO.

Urgent PSOs are processed faster and may not need the input of the other party.

These tend to be used in cases where time is of the essence, such as if there is a risk that the child may be removed from the country.

PSOs are not the only way to engage with a co-parenting agreement once it has been created and these documents can be revisited amicably if circumstances change.

Whatever the situation, if you or your ex feels that something should change regarding your child, you should seek professional legal advice.

We can help you to understand whether a PSO is a good option for you or whether there may be a more straightforward solution.

At Palmers Solicitors, we want to help the families of Essex find the most effective way to look after the next generation.

While we do try to find an amicable solution to most issues, you should not hesitate to contact us if you feel that a PSO might be required to prevent your child’s best interests from being disregarded. Whether you need help with a PSO or support with co-parenting agreements, speak to our team today.