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Yesterday, my ex wife decided that she would not allow our children to see my as she considered be an issue to their physical and mental safety. If i go near the children, school or her family she said she would call the police.
When we separated in April 17 I had my children 50/50. This time has been reduced by my ex wife, since my partner announced that we were having a baby in June last year.
My ex wife claims that our children come back to hers from days at mine and they are upset, depressed, angry and this has got worse over last 6 months. This coincides with her reducing the children's time with me.
It is my birthday today and the Rota was for me to collect children from school for my birthday tea. It seems as if my ex wife has savagedly times her withholding access for maximum punishment on me.
I know court is the next step but how do i respond to her e-mail saying she's not allowing me access to our children?
Can anyone help please?
Probably best bet is to not respond. Keep that email as evidence. Contact a mediator ASAP to get the ball rolling on the court front. In the meantime, take care of yourself, find someone you can talk to.
If your current partner/wife is pregnant, support her as much as possible and try not let her become your escape vent. You need this relationship to be as stable as possible if you're going to show that your ex is acting maliciously.
Best of luck, you're in for a hard time, but it can be done, and you'll be a better father for it.
Thank you for that. We went to mediation a few months ago but I thought that may have made her open her eyes and realise the potential damage she is causingto our children.
My partner and i have a young son now and yes, I must look after them, myself while I fight to see my children.
Take a deep breath and away I go...
How long ago was mediation ? If I'm not mistaken, you can apply to court up to 4 months after mediation. Have you got the signed form back from the mediator ? You'll need that to apply to court.
And yes, deep deep breathing is something you will need lots of.
In my experience, she didn't realise anything until she was in front of a district judge facing the real prospect of a psychological evaluation and an application for a change of residence, but this was after 18 months and 8 court hearings. It was an extreme case.
Often they see sense when the court application comes through the post, and more often than not cases get resolved after 1 or 2 hearings.
If you need support consider calling the charity Dads Unlimited. They help you fill out all the correct forms, offer emotional support and have protocols with different barrister chambers shall you wish to be represented.
Hi superdad,
I agree with other dad that you should stop email contact with the ex, incase things get emotional and out of hand. if you think you can remain calm and composed, you could reply to her email and advise that as shes refusing contact with the children, if she does not change her position, you have no other option than to take the legal route. keep it formal like that, that so she can not accuse you of making threats.
atleast that way she has been put on notice. then later she can not cry that you pulled a fast one and dragged her to court. i gave 3 warning to my ex. she wasnt bothered so i got the ball rolling very quick.
contact the PSU. they will sit with you and fill in the court application for free: https://www.thepsu.org
Hi there
If you’re going to instruct a solicitor, you can ask them to respond to her email. Otherwise, due to her threats to call police, it might be better not to contact her.
Mediation would be your first step, after you’ve discussed the issues with the mediator, they will contact your ex and ask her to attend, if she refuses, or mediation fails, the mediator will sign off the form to enable you to make an application to court.
It might help you to attend a Families Need Fathers meeting in your area, where you’ll get direct support from others in a similar situation. 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
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