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Hi guys, I've used this site since I started my journey to see my children through the courts.
I have a daughter aged 3, and a daughter aged 14 months who I've only met since this court started and I was granted access through supervised centre.
My ex had accused me of drug taking and not being involved in my daughters life.
I took a hair follicle test to prove I do not take drugs and proved all safe guarding concerns were false against myself.
I have been seeing my 3 year and it's like we were never apart, our bond is as strong as ever. My relationship with the youngest is taking longer but am slowly getting there.
Every Sunday my ex complains after we get sent the weekly report about how poor a service we are getting at contact centre.
I have a great time every week, I'm always there half an hour before. And love every min of contact.
She would not let me even have photos with my daughter. Every week is something different.
It was supposed to be four one hour sessions then three two hour sessions, then two in public then on my own every Sunday for an hour extending an extra hour every week. I used to have my oldest from Friday to Sunday every weekend, I have now got a job in the town they live and made sure I'm free to have them at weekends. The reports I get every week are nothing but positive, I'm representing myself in court, and have surprised myself with how well I've done, my ex has lied and tried her best to drag my name through the dirt. My family have not seen my oldest in s yeT and a half and have not met the youngest, the final hearing is next week and I. Worried as to what I ask for at this hearin, I want to have the girls at mine every weekend and an evening in the week. Or even every other weekend . And share bank holidays and birthdays and Boxing Day etc. It's my final chance and I want to get it right. How do I ask for this and put it in a way the courts will listen to what I have to say? Thanks for any help guys.. this site guided me through loads through this. Top site and appreciate Aby help. It's a child arrangement order I've applied for . It's my forth and final hearing .
If this is a contested final hearing, you need to prepare questions to ask the mother as you may have to cross examine one another.
In terms of what you ask for - if you haven't been ordered to submit a final statement by a set date, you can prepare a short position statement to take with you on the morning of the hearing.
You could say " the order I am seeking is as follows, and I appreciate it may take time to progress from the current situation to that proposed" and then list what you would like the court to order. A bog standard request might look like this;
Alternate weekend staying contact from Friday afternoon to Sunday afternoon
Weekly staying contact each Wednesday, pick up from school, return to school Thursday
Alternate birthdays or time with each parent
Alternate Christmas day or time with each parent
Father's Day with father
Mother's Day with mother
Bank Holidays and Inset Days to be tagged on to weekends where they fall
School holidays to be shared (equally?)
An opportunity to spend time with parents on their own birthdays
That might give you some idea of how to list what you would like to happen. People sometimes ask for a little more than they would like so they can be seen to compromise.
If the mother is placing restrictions on photos being taken or who the children see in your care, it's probably worth mentioning this in the hearing as you need to be able to parent free from restriction during your time with the children
If she hasn't stuck to the schedule from the previous orders, you need to make the court aware of this too.
Feel free to ask further questions & good luck!
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