Welcome to the DAD.Info forum: Important Information – open to read:
Our forum aims to provide support and guidance where it can, however we may not always have the answer. The forum is not moderated 24 hours a day, so If you – or someone you know – are being harmed or in immediate danger of being harmed, call the police on 999.
Alternatively, if you are in crisis, please call Samaritans on 116 123.
If you are worried about you or someone you know is at risk of harm, please click here: How we can help
Hello, firstly I apologise if this topic has already been covered. I just want to see were I stand and what route I should take in regards to seeing my daughter on special occasions. I currently have my daughter every other weekend ,Friday to Sunday night. I was having her every Sunday in between as well but my ex has stopped that in the recent weeks. We split in 2013 and I've always had this access agreement, she now has moved away from the area with her new partner and has moved my daughter from her school which i was not informed about and when I asked what school she is moving her to she refuses to answer. I've been asking for access to see my daughter every other Christmas Day and birthday as I feel this is fair for all but she has said I will never have her as a child should not be without her mum on Christmas Day. This year she is taking my daughter away for the whole of the Christmas period which I think is unfair. I could understand if I was the one who walked out why she would have this attitude, but as it was her that moved me out I feel she doesn't quite grasp the whole actions have consequences thing. Any advice would be greatly received if anyone has been or is going through the same as me and what steps I can take to get a fair deal.
Regards lee
Hi Lee
On the plus side you have been able to continue to see your daughter for full weekends since your split and this has been in place for a good while.
Unfortunately without a court order for contact, she can stop and change your contact as and when she likes. She does have a duty to talk to you about any decisions concerning your daughters health, education and religion, but there is nothing in place to make her do so.
Your first step would be to attend mediation, this is compulsory before an application to court can be made. It's better if you attend a mediation service close to where the mother resides as it gives her less excuse not to attend. You would attend alone initially and the mediator would then write to the mother and ask her to attend. Here's a link to the mediation services
www.nfm.org.uk
At mediation you can address the school issue, sharing special occasions such as Christmas,birthdays and Father's Day too and also the fact that your daughters time with you has been reduced without alternatives offered.
If mediation fails or she refuses to attend the mediator will sign the section on the C100 form to enable you to apply for a child arrangements order for contact and you can include your need to know the school and extra contact during the school holidays and special occasions.
Be aware that it's quite common for all contact to be stopped when mediation and court applications are commenced.
Best of luck
Welcome to the DAD.info forum.
We don’t like to set ‘rules’, but to make sure that you and the other dads are kept safe, we have some requests. When engaging with the forum, please be aware of the following:
- The forum is not moderated 24 hours per day.
- Many of the moderators do so on a voluntary basis. Whilst they may be able to provide some guidance, advice or support, they may not be able to deal with specifics.
- We are not an emergency crisis service so if you or someone else is in immediate danger, please call emergency services.
- If you are concerned about the safety of a child, please click here to find the support you can get for them (link to new page)
- If you are in crisis, please call Samaritans on 116 123. They are open 24 hours a day, 7 days per week.
We hope you find this forum a supportive environment and thank you for joining us.