Prime Minister David Cameron yesterday published an article in the Sunday Telegraph criticising “runaway dads” and calling for them to be stigmatised in the same way as drink drivers. He says that fathers should “financially and emotionally support their child even if they have split up from their mother” and “spend time with their kids at weekends, taking them to the football or to the playground; to go to the nativity play and take an interest in their child’s education.”
Whilst we dont disagree that fathers should take an interest in theirchild’s life we believe the contents of the article are very short sighted and ignore the idea that often fathers are not involved in their children’s lives for good reason, for example if they pose a risk to the child. We also know many many fathers are desperate to do the kind of things that David Cameron talks about but are prevented from doing so by the children’s mother for no good reason.
In a week when the Government may well announce sweeping cuts to the legal aid budget which will completely stop fathers from claiming legal aid to help them enforce their rights to see their children(and their children’s rights to see them) we would ask that all of the fathers who find themselves prevented from seeing their children make their voices heard. Please feel free to tell us your stories or better still contact your MP and tell them what the Government is really doing to family life.
Legal Aid and Funding your Case At Higgins Miller we are authorised by the Legal Services Commission to provide advice under the Legal Aid scheme in relation to all areas of family law and subject to eligibility criteria. 
Civil Partnership and Divorce Solicitors Stockport At Higgins Miller we understand that a breakdown of a relationship can be a very traumatic time and we are committed to making the process of divorce or civil partnership dissolution as straightforward and stress-free as possible without incurring necessary costs. 
Financial Issues Upon Separation Following the breakdown of any relationship we are able to offer advice with regard to how to resolve financial disputes. The law in this area is different in relation to married and unmarried couples and we are able to offer advice in both situations. 
Children Disputes and Custody of Children When parents separate there can often be differences of opinion as to who children should live with and how much time they should spend with each of their parents. There are also often difficulties in relation to agreeing what decisions should be made for those children, for example which school a child should attend. 
Social Services and Care Proceedings We understand that when social services become involved in a family’s life it can be extremely stressful for parents and children alike. We aim to offer sensitive and useful advice at all stages of social services involvement with children and families both in and out of court proceedings. 
Protection from Domestic Violence At Higgins Miller we are aware that there are people who are subjected to violence in their own homes on an all-too regular basis. We are able to assist victims of domestic abuse in quickly obtaining the protection that they need from their partners or ex-partners. 
Adoption Process & Special Guardianship At Higgins Miller we are able to assist in relation to all kinds of adoption case including step parent adoption, international adoption or adoption from care we will be able to offer advice on the best course of action for your individual circumstances. 
Prenuptial Agreements and Cohabitation Agreements Pre-nuptial agreements are a fast changing and developing area of law and the courts are becoming more and more willing to recognise them when resolving divorce settlements. 
