[Solved] Hello - New Dad in Distress

So Today I turn 40 (I wasn't going to write 39 yesterday knowing my birthday is today). What a s**tty feeling of waking up alone without the cries of my boy to jolt me into action. There has been some progress, my 'partner' has agreed to see me today, she didn't mention if she will bring our Son too. I'm not sure how I will react if she doesn't. My sister said if she doesn't bring him then that is just her exercising more control over me, perhaps using it as a gauge as to how I could react in the future of I don't abide by her every whim and demand.

I'm looking at the worse case scenario in that she doesn't bring him along. Question is, do I tow the line and sit and listen to her telling me I'm this and that or do I draw the line and tell her she's had ample opportunity to play fair and go down the court route. Anyone else experienced anything similar?

I really think you need some official legal advice, sorry not to be of more help.

Thanks Twiston, I have already contacted the British Embassy here and 2 law firms. I am just waiting for some contact back from them.

Regards

Mark

Hi Mark

I've had a quick scout around, it appears the Czech family law system favours the mother and maintenance can be quite punitive if decided by the Czech courts.

It might be helpful to contact Reunite, they are really helpful and can talk to you about what you can do.

www.reunite.org

Here's a link with more info

https://czechfamilylaw.wordpress.com/

Hi Mojo,

Many thanks, I did find the Wordpress site using a Google search so I've spent some time digesting the info on there. Reunite could be really helpful if it comes down to it. The money doesn't bother me to be honest, that's not an issue, he will get everything he needs and I am willing to pay whatever is required.

I just can't be doing with these games she seems to be playing, I am trying to stay calm, patient and reasonable but as with everyone, I have a tolerance level. We will see, I'm expecting to meet her this afternoon after she messaged me to arrange it, it will no doubt set the tone for the days, weeks and months ahead. I've not heard back from the 2 local Lawyers as yet so, depending how this afternoon goes, I could be on the first train to Prague tomorrow to visit one in person.

Regards

Mark

.... Let's hope your meeting goes well and you can dispense with solicitors and court....it should always be the very last resort.

Reunite are really good on giving information on access internationally and will help wherever possible.

Best of luck

It might be worth opening a case with CMS (child maintenance service) straight away - what I'm hoping (though I'm not sure at all) is that if there is already a binding child maintenance agreement in place, then the Czech courts might defer to this. Since you will have opened the case, only you able to close it, so the mother can't do this to try to get maintenance re-arranged through the Czech courts more in her favour. I'd certainly ask the lawyers advice on this if you are seeking legal advice from them (and the CMS themsleves may have some knowledge of this, so ask them also), but my thinking is that if you don't act quickly and the Czech courts rule about maintenance, you'll have lost that opportunity.

Oh, and happy birthday for Monday.

Hi All,

A quick update. The meeting went well, to a point. At 11 am on the Sunday she announced she was going to her parents again as she had a dentist appointment in their town the next day, it is a 10 minute drive from her place. I didn't need to leave the house to get my flight until 17.30 so I felt like she 'stole' my time with my Son all over again. Since then I have completely closed up, I am due back in Czech again this weekend, with assurances I can spend the weekend with him. We will see, if I experience another episode then I will take the legal route even though she has said we should make some sort of agreement. I simply no longer trust her and what she says. It also amazes me how many times she has asked me to pay the rent on the flat, the one she keeps reminding me is in her name and asked for me to leave my keys behind after my last trip. I have made it clear that I will only discuss money when we have an agreement in place about contact with our Son.

About the Czech system for alimony, I did seek legal advice on this through a Czech Lawyer and was advised the amount is bracketed by age. Typically for the next 5 years I am looking at 11-15% of my net salary. Given I am operating a limited company and only pay myself a nominal salary, which is comparative to the national average wage of a Czech worker, she could find herself losing out. We aren't married and the Czech Lawyer assured me she has no rights to ask for rent, bills, wifi charges etc which, again, appears to be her only focus at the moment.

I am, as ever, hopeful of an amicable resolution. Time will tell.