GAIN CLARITY AND UNDERSTANDING HERE
Family Court Mentor AKA McKenzie Friend
I rebranded myself as a Family Court Mentor because 1. Mentoring / coaching is what is needed to help people through this rollercoaster of a ride and 2. Not all McKenzie friends are equal, the same as all Family Lawyers / Solicitors are not equal.
Everything you need is here, in one place, to take you from separation to the First Court hearing, which is arguably the most important.
Reducing conflict and acrimony while the focus remains on the child’s needs and their safe, secure and happy future.
Family Court Mentor gives separated parents a simple step-by-step guide through Child Arrangements proceedings — from separation right through to your First Hearing — without the prohibitive legal fees. Lawyers aren't needed in the Family Court, nor are their unnecessary expense.
5 steps from separation to the First Hearing.
Mediation (MIAM)
Your first required step before applying to court — what a MIAM is, how to book one, and the exemptions.
The C100 Application
Plain-English walkthrough of every section of the C100 and the court fee.
CAFCASS Safeguarding
What the CAFCASS officer will ask, how to prepare, and what ends up in the Safeguarding Letter.
Position / Witness Statement
How to write a clear, concise statement for the court: what you want, where you are, and your response to CAFCASS.
First Hearing (FHDRA)
What happens on the day, what to wear, what to bring, and how to speak directly to the judge or magistrates.
Searching for “child custody”? Read what custody means in the Family Court of England & Wales — and why the court calls it a Child Arrangements Order.
Looking for a McKenzie Friend? Read the full guide to McKenzie Friends — what they can and can’t do, what they cost, and how to get court permission.
Deciding between a McKenzie Friend and a solicitor? Read the comparison to choose the right support for your case and budget.
Free printable
Child Arrangements Checklist
Download the full checklist covering all five steps — from the MIAM through to the First Hearing — so you can keep track as you go.
About the creator of the app
I've helped over 500 separated parents through Family Court proceedings — Child Arrangements, Divorce & Financial Settlement.
Not only am I trained in all aspects of Family Court, I have been commended by the highest of Judges for my professionalism and the way I've conducted myself in the court room and for the way I've supported the parent.
I've also been through Family Court in my own personal circumstances successfully as a Litigant In Person (self represented with no family lawyer).
Although your case is different to mine, I can resonate with the emotional roller coaster that you're on.
General information & mentoring — not legal advice.
Clear direction
No jargon, no guesswork — just the next sensible step for where you are right now.
Court-aware
Written around the actual Family Court process in England & Wales — based around my professional training and experience and my personal experience — not generic advice.
Child-focused
Everything is framed around what the court cares about most: your children's welfare.