Residence Order

You can apply to the court for them to decide where the children should live. This is called a "Residence Order".

It is possible to apply for a "Joint Residence Order", but the courts do not usually like to make such orders especially if it will mean the child will have to divide their time between two homes. Your solicitor can advise you if a Joint Residence Order is appropriate.

If you have a Residence Order you are allowed to take the children out of the country for less than 1 month at a time without your partner's consent.

If you want to take the children to live abroad permanently then your partner may have to consent to this or you will have to get permission from the court.