Residency orders

[rushiexx]

Can you please tell me my options on applying for a residency order for my children who live with me and my new partner?

[Didyman]

Hello.

You have two options.

A Residency Order can be obtained from your local family / magistrates' court. This is favoured by most people as it gives them legal responsibility for the welfare of the children without affecting the natural parent's status. For example, in your absence your partner will be able to make medical decisions and other vital decisions without the need to consult you.

Alternatively you could arrange for him to adopt your children. One word of warning though, your legal status will change from mother to adoptive mother. If you don't mind this change in wording and are happy to explain everything to your children when they're old enough to understand (if they're not already!) then this may be the ideal option.

Personally? My step-daughter wanted to change her name to mine before I married her mother! We arranged this through Deed Poll and she calls me Daddy. Because she shares my name and the relationship is as close as any natural father anyway myself and my wife haven't applied for a Residency Order / Adoption.

There are leaflets at your local court concerning Residency Orders. Your local Social Services will be able to guide you through the Adoption process. Of the two a Residency Order is easier. And if you weren't married to the children's father when they were born he has no say in the Residency Order. But you might like to tell him out of courtesy.

[TraciJ2]

Rushie,

Are they you're children? If so, all my husband did was inform his solicitor who compiled a letter to say that in the event of my husbands incapacity, i was legal guardian and responsible for my step-sons welfare. That suits us just fine at the moment. Although my step-son would like it to be more offical and rid of his mother (long story and too personal to go into. Mind you i would LOVE to adopt my Step-son, but that would mean his mother giving up her parental responsibilty - and i dont think she would do that while shes still breathing! hehehe

If anybody could advise me on adoption - then i would be extremely grateful!