What do I do in the first 48 hours after separating if kids are involved?
The first 48 hours set the tone for everything that follows, even though it rarely feels that way in the moment. A few practical steps make a real difference.
Communicate arrangements in writing wherever possible, even something as simple as confirming pickup times by text. This protects you later if there’s ever a dispute about what was actually agreed. Avoid making major decisions, like one parent suddenly moving out with the children or unilaterally changing the existing routine, without understanding how that might be viewed later.
Keep your own record of what’s happening, dates, conversations, any changes to the usual arrangement. If there’s any safety concern at all, prioritise that immediately and seek urgent advice, don’t wait to see how things settle. And if you’re unsure what you’re even allowed to do in these early days, get advice quickly rather than guessing, this is exactly the situation our free first appointment exists for.
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Get clear advice before you make decisions you can’t undo.