Child Arrangement Order


A Child Arrangement Order or Child Arrangements Order is an agreement under English family law concerning where a child lives and whom a child can have contact with. CAOs are usually sought following the breakdown of a relationship and replace 'contact orders' and 'residence orders'. Their legal basis is under section 8 of the Children Act 1989.
Agreement partner may be able to avoid going to court if you agree on:
  • where the children will live
  • how much time they’ll spend with each parent
  • how you’ll financially support your children
This is called making child arrangements.