# Grandparents and wider family > Grandparents and wider family solicitors advise on contact arrangements, court applications and special guardianship where relatives seek to care for a child. Last updated: 2026-11-12 # Grandparents and wider family We start by understanding your relationship with the child, how often you have seen them until now, and what has changed. We will also look at the parents’ position and whether there is any realistic prospect of agreement. From there, we will advise you on what you can do and the best way to approach it. ### Grandparents and wider family at a glance - Grandparents don’t have an automatic legal right to see their grandchildren. - Many arrangements are agreed with the parents, directly or through mediation. - To apply to court, grandparents usually need the court’s permission first. - A relative caring for a child may be able to get a child arrangements order or special guardianship order. - The court’s paramount consideration is always the child’s welfare. [Book my free consultation](https://rushtonfamilylaw.com/contact) ![](https://rushtonfamilylaw.com/asset/2838/174-33-def/rushton-family-law-white.png) #### Specialist Divorce and Family Lawyers Rushton provides discreet representation for divorce, financial settlements, and arrangements for children. We treat every case with the care it deserves, without losing sight of what actually needs to get done. [Contact us](https://rushtonfamilylaw.com/contact) When it really matters # Grandparents’ rights Grandparents don’t have an automatic legal right to see their grandchildren. In most cases, the first step is to try to reach an agreement with the parents, directly or through mediation, and many arrangements are settled this way. ### Applying to court as a grandparent Where agreement isn’t possible, a grandparent or other relative can apply for a child arrangements order. In most cases, you will first need the court’s permission to apply. The court considers your connection with the child, the nature of the application, and whether it could disrupt the child’s life. If permission is given, the application proceeds in a similar way to one brought by a parent, with the child’s welfare as the paramount consideration. ### Caring for a child Where a child can’t live with their parents, a grandparent or other relative may be able to take on their care. We advise on child arrangements orders that set out who the child lives with, and on special guardianship orders, which give a carer long-term responsibility for the child without ending the legal relationship with the parents. RELATED SERVICES [Child arrangements](https://cms.rushtonfamilylaw.com/services/child-arrangements) [Decisions about your child](https://cms.rushtonfamilylaw.com/services/decisions-about-your-child/) [Parental responsibility](https://cms.rushtonfamilylaw.com/services/parental-responsibility) [Enforcing, changing and challenging child arrangement orders](https://cms.rushtonfamilylaw.com/services/enforcing-changing-and-challenging-orders/) RELATED GUIDES [High earners](https://cms.rushtonfamilylaw.com/guide/high-earners-ac6c) [School fees](https://cms.rushtonfamilylaw.com/guide/school-fees) [Unmarried parents](https://cms.rushtonfamilylaw.com/guide/unmarried-parents) [Variation of a CMS calculation](https://cms.rushtonfamilylaw.com/guide/variation-of-a-cms-calculation) ### Our Team Our team of specialist family solicitors offer expert advice in proportion to what’s at stake for you. We advise on all areas of family law and bring the same care and high standard to every family we work with. ![](https://rushtonfamilylaw.com/asset/3099/398-535-def/nicola-398x535.jpg) [Nicola Jones](https://rushtonfamilylaw.com/team/nicola-jones) [Partner - Divorce & Family](https://) ![](https://rushtonfamilylaw.com/asset/3100/398-535-def/amie-398x535.jpg) Amie Pine Partner - Divorce & Family ![](https://rushtonfamilylaw.com/asset/3139/398-535-def/emma-398x535.jpg) Emma Shortland Associate ![](https://rushtonfamilylaw.com/asset/3116/398-535-def/ella-398x535.jpg) Ella Perry Assistant Solicitor ![](https://rushtonfamilylaw.com/asset/3107/398-535-def/samantha-398x535.jpg) Samantha Patel Legal Support Assistant ### Reviews and testimonials ![](https://rushtonfamilylaw.com/asset/2562/193-32-def/stars.png) Firstly, Amie Pine. This particular solicitor is an absolute master of her craft. She's knowledgeable, caring, understandable, professional and always one step ahead ![](https://rushtonfamilylaw.com/asset/2562/193-32-def/stars.png) The second person I would like to mention in my review is Emma Shortland. Her knowledge of the law is incredible. Please don't let her age put you off, as upon those very young shoulders is a very wise head. ![](https://rushtonfamilylaw.com/asset/2562/193-32-def/stars.png) Amie was brilliant helping me through and managing my divorce financials both professionally and personally, cannot recommend enough, thanks again Amie! ![](https://rushtonfamilylaw.com/asset/2562/193-32-def/stars.png) I recently went through a difficult divorce, and I cannot express enough gratitude for the exceptional service provided by my solicitor, Amie Pine. ![](https://rushtonfamilylaw.com/asset/2562/193-32-def/stars.png) From the very beginning, Amie provided clear, concise guidance and her expertise, professionalism, and compassion made a significant difference during this challenging time. ![](https://rushtonfamilylaw.com/asset/2562/193-32-def/stars.png) Amie was always available to answer my questions, no matter how trivial they seemed, and provided reassurance during the most stressful moments. ![](https://rushtonfamilylaw.com/asset/2562/193-32-def/stars.png) Amie was not only a legal advisor but also a pillar of support, helping me navigate the emotional and financial aspects. ![](https://rushtonfamilylaw.com/asset/2562/193-32-def/stars.png) Thank you, Amie, for making a difficult time more manageable and for helping me move forward with my life. ![](https://rushtonfamilylaw.com/asset/2562/193-32-def/stars.png) Amie Pine has helped me get through a financially and emotionally challenging divorce with great empathy, expert advice and the utmost professionalism. ![](https://rushtonfamilylaw.com/asset/2562/193-32-def/stars.png) She is always responsive and worked quickly to ensure the matter progressed despite the other party's delays and unreasonable demands. Thank you Amie - it's been a real pleasure having you represent me. ![](https://rushtonfamilylaw.com/asset/2562/193-32-def/stars.png) Nicola and the team are the best support you could ask for at the most difficult of times. ![](https://rushtonfamilylaw.com/asset/2562/193-32-def/stars.png) As well as being knowledgeable, forward thinking, organised and hard-working, [Nicola] has empathy and goes above and beyond for her clients. ![](https://rushtonfamilylaw.com/asset/2562/193-32-def/stars.png) I feel safer and not alone, knowing that I have Nicola's support - securing her to act for me was a huge weight lifted. No matter what the result, I am confident that she will have secured the best outcome possible. ### outstanding legal representation when it really matters ### FAQs #### Do grandparents have a legal right to see their grandchildren? No. In England and Wales, grandparents do not have an automatic legal right to see their grandchildren. In most cases, the best first step is to try to reach an agreement with the child’s parents, either directly or through mediation. If that isn’t possible, you can ask the court to make a child arrangements order. In most cases you will need the court’s permission before applying, and the court’s paramount consideration will always be the child’s welfare. #### How do I get the court’s permission to apply? Most grandparents need the court’s permission before they can apply for a child arrangements order. When deciding whether to give permission, the court considers your connection with the child, the nature of your application, and whether it could disrupt the child’s life to the point of causing harm. There are some exceptions, for example where the child has lived with you for a certain period. We can advise you on whether permission is needed and how best to present your application. #### What is a special guardianship order? A special guardianship order appoints someone, often a grandparent or other relative, to care for a child on a long-term basis when the child cannot live with their parents. It gives the special guardian parental responsibility and the ability to make most day-to-day and important decisions about the child’s upbringing. Unlike adoption, it does not end the legal relationship between the child and their parents. A special guardianship order usually lasts until the child turns 18. ### How we work An experienced family solicitor will run your matter from the first meeting onwards, and you will deal with them directly rather than being passed between members of a team. Part of their job is to help you decide where your time and money are best spent. In most divorces there are points worth pressing and points that make little difference to the end result, and we will be straightforward with you about which is which. A lot of matters are resolved through negotiation or mediation, and where that is realistic we will recommend it. Where it is not, because the other side will not engage, or disclosure is incomplete, or the issues are genuinely contested, we will advise you on taking the matter to court and act for you there. **Rushton Family Law is the sister brand of Vardags. If your case involves complex finances or international issues, we will introduce you to the Vardags team.** [Book a consultation](#callback) ### Request a confidential call Please share a few details about your circumstances and one of our specialist family lawyers will contact you at a convenient time. If a telephone call is not suitable, please let us know your preferred method of contact. [Get in touch](https://rushtonfamilylaw.com/contact)