What to expect to pay all in for a child arrangement order?

[Charis1503]

Social services are in the process of signing off my two children from the "in need" register with the advice to go through the court process to determine access/visitation and what is in the children's best interest.

Can I ask people's experiences and how much it cost ( using a solicitor ) ? I am not trying to stop access altogether ( he currently has them 4 nights a month) but want to ensure it's supervised and safe. He is likely to contest this and will demand more than he currently has.

I will be exempt from mediation first due to abuse so would likely go straight to court.

Thank you very much

You don't need a solicitor for the family court you can do this yourself especially if the SS have reported that you need to go through a formal process. I have to say going through the family court is stressful & I don't know why they'd say that, why not just get a solicitor to agree the contact?
It seems a bit lazy to hand it back to you with potentially a huge bill, it can rack up thousands especially if the other party opposes. You might, might, get free solicitor through legal aid if there's been proven domestic abuse, I'm surprised the SS didn't tell you that.
Make sure you get everything in writing - the family court recommendation & everything they're suggesting & why because you will need this.