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Hello All,
Forgive me if I've posted this in the wrong section. I'm new to the site.
Back in 2013 i had no option but to take my ex to court to gain Parental Responsibility, which i now hold. Due to the relationship i had with the Mother, and thus the eventual reason for me ending the relationship, the court instructed the Mother to only contact me for items regarding our Son.
To cut a long story short, I would like some advice regarding a situation that seems to be escalating quickly. Basically, my ex has decided that she now demands to meet my long-term partner if my son is to continue coming to my house.
For background, I have been with my partner for a year and a half and i have known her for an additional year prior to the relationship starting. My Son was introduced to my partner in approximately October last year. They both hit it off very well and they have had a great relationship since. Quite frankly, i have hit the jackpot with my partner who continues to be so supportive of me through these hard times.
Until recently, it was all relatively calm. It all begin with a random text from the ex the beginning of November. Simply asking "Who's xxx? (my partner)". It's worth noting that I have never mentioned her to my ex. Until now, that was all. But last weekend, my ex started sending silly texts. Such as, "Are you at McDonalds?". So when she picked my Son up i asked her what she was on about and reminded her that those texts aren't appropriate. At this point, she said she needed to text me about something and she refused to talk face-to-face (common theme being she doesn't speak face-to-face ever).
Later that evening, i received a text demanding for her to meet my partner and that if i am to continue seeing my Son she will have to "get to know" my partner. Based on the relationship we had in the past, and the reasons that i left her, i don't feel this is wise at all.
Simply, she is trying to come between me and my girlfriend.
So what rights do i have? Can she really stop me seeing my Son based on this? I really don't want to have to go through the whole solicitor and courts process again, but does it look like i will have too?
I know i started with "long story short" and ended up rambling out an essay. I just feel completely helpless and need any advice i can get.
It will be much appreciated.
Thanks All! 🙂
Hi there
When you went to court did you get an order for contact as well as PR? If you did and she stops contact, you have the right to apply for enforcement of the existing order.
If you have no schedule of contact stated in your order, then your situation is tougher. If she stopped contact you would need to apply for a Child Arrangements Order to get a schedule of contact in place.
However, before this is possible you would need to attempt mediation, if it failed the mediator would sign the form to enable an application.
Contact isn't reliant on ex's meeting current partners, if the previous court felt that communication should be limited then there was good reason I'm sure.
You could try writing to her formally and stating that stopping contact would not be in your child's best interests, perhaps compromise by giving her basic info about your partner, but insist that meeting isn't required and that you would prefer to keep your private life exactly that. Suggest mediation but inform her that if that failed you would make an application to court to stabilise contact for your child.
All the best
Hi,
Yes, i do in fact have a Contact Order as well as a Parental Responsibility Order. This hadn't even crossed my mind, that she would in fact be in contempt of court by stopping the contact for no good reason whatsoever.
Hopefully the threat of legal action should she continue be enough to stop her being unreasonable!
Thanks Mojo!
That's good...let's hope she will tow the line and stop with the threats. Let us know how you get on.
All,the best
The mother of my children demanded to meet my new partner (who became my wife) at the time - she never ever did meet her.
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