Make child arrangements

If you have a child, it’s important that you understand how you make arrangements for them and their care. This includes understanding parental responsibility, familiarising yourself with child custody arrangements and maintenance in England and Wales and Scotland in the event of a relationship breakdown, and understanding how to appoint a guardian.

If you're a parent without parental responsibility (ie because you are not married to the child's birth mother and your name is not on the birth certificate), you can use a Parental responsibility agreement (for England and Wales) or Parental responsibilities and parental rights agreement (for Scotland) to gain parental responsibility, as long as the mother agrees. Obtaining this responsibility means that you will be involved in decision-making and will be kept up to date about the child's well-being. For more information, read Parental responsibility.

Making a will allows you to set out how your belongings will be distributed after your death. This helps you secure the future interests of your loved ones. If you have any children under the age of 18, it is a good idea to make a will to appoint testamentary guardians. Guardians are people who will take on parental responsibility and become legal guardians for any of your children who are under 18 upon your death. You can use a Last will and testament for England and Wales or Last will and testament for Scotland to do this. For more information, read Appointing a guardian.

If you are travelling with a child, make sure that you get consent from everyone with parental responsibility. This includes if you have shared custody of a child. Consider using a Child travel consent form to do this. For more information, read Travelling with a child.