residence order UK family court

Residence Order UK: What You Need to Know

Residence orders were replaced by Child Arrangements Orders in April 2014 under the Children and Families Act 2014. If you are looking for a "residence order", you now need to apply for a Child Arrangements Order specifying who the child lives with.

What Replaced Residence Orders?

The Child Arrangements Order (CAO) replaced both residence orders and contact orders. A CAO can specify who the child "lives with" (equivalent to the old residence order) and who the child "spends time with" (equivalent to the old contact order).

Frequently Asked Questions

Are old residence orders still valid?

Yes. Residence orders made before April 2014 remain valid and enforceable. They are treated as Child Arrangements Orders for enforcement purposes.

Ready to Get Professional Support?

CourtCraft Advocate provides AI-powered McKenzie Friend support, document preparation, and expert family court guidance. Thousands of litigants in person across England and Wales trust CourtCraft Advocate to help them navigate the family court system.

courtcraftadvocate.com — Professional McKenzie Friend & AI court support