[Solved] Contact order

Hi Modcon,

Many of us have gone down the contact order route and many of us have self represented, unless you have a complex case where there is allegations of abuse, harm or drugs/drink then you can go through court without a solicitor.

You will need to firstly attempt mediation if you haven't already as the courts won't hear a case unless you have, if your ex won't attend or you can't agree anything then the mediator will sign the court forms so that you can apply for an order.

GTTS

As GTTS says mediation is first stage, you'll not get an application accepted until you have a form signed off by a mediator.

Again as GTTS says, unless your case is complex, the early stages are pretty easy enough to deal with yourself and especially with the help and advice you’ll receive from this forum if you are happy to talk for yourself in court.

One thing i would think about though, if you think you can afford to throw away several thousand ££££’s on solicitors, maybe hold off and wait until the ex starts fighting dirty (if she does) then use them as they could help rather than just cost you needless expense.

However, there is another option to help with things, look for recommendation for a good Mackenzie friend, they are people who will be able to guide you and help with documentation and in court but not speak on your behalf, they are typically half the costs in most cases of a solicitor and if you get a good one be of better help with their knowledge being more specific to Family law matters.

Fingers crossed you don't get a vindictive ex like many of us here have found.

Some MFs might have professional looking websites, that doesn’t mean that a good service is guaranteed. If you ask any of the Moderators, depending where you live, we may be able to recommend a good one for you.

As has been said, most people are more than capable of handling the initial stages of the court heratings thenselves, some then use a direct access barrister for,the final hearing, so you have some options.

Any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask.

Hi all

Many thanks for the help

I did manage to get contact without the means of a contact order however she has now stopped that and stating I can only see her through a contact centre and it being supervised at £75 per hour. I do not accept this.

I did accept a undertaking for a non mil

Does this complicate things as I will now have to go down the route of a contact order

What is the process of this as I'm looking at doing it all myself. And worried that I may not get any contact if I can't do it all correctly myself and I don't have the finances for a sols

Had you been liaising with her through her solicitor? What contact did you arrange before it was stopped?

A NMO will slow things down, whilst the court do their safeguarding investigations, but it shouldn’t prevent you from obtaining an order for contact.

Self representing is doable and we have many members that have done so with much success.

It might help if you attend a Families Need Fathers meeting in your area, where you’ll get face to face advice and support. Here’s a link to their website where you’ll find details of meetings nationally, hopefully there will be one near you.

www.fnf.org.uk/help-and-support-2/local-branch-meetings

All the best

Hi

Thanks for you response

My contact was alternate sat n sun and every Tues n Thurs after school she has now stopped that for whatever reason. Contact itself is through her sols.

She's now saying I can only see her through supervised vision at £75 per hour. Not sure why this is.

I've got a feeling as she's told a mutual friend that she's scared that I'll do to her what's she's doing to.me and that's withold her from seeing her.

I'm thinking big using a machenzie friend to help me through it

How were handovers managed at the weekends and midweeks, with an NMO in place?

Have you approached her solicitor to ask why contact has been stopped? I would do this in writing and suggest that if agreement can’t be reached to reinstate contact as before, you will have no alternative but to make an application to court.

You could also suggest that in the short term, you would accept supervised contact via a trusted third party/family member, so that your child’s routine isn’t disrupted, or she is caused distress due to sudden cessation of contact with you.

Usually mediation would be the next step, but as there’s a non mol in place, it isn’t appropriate.

Best of luck