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Ok so I’m the grand dad posting on behalf of the dad my step son.
He split up with his ex the mother of the grand son a few years ago.
Contact was going well around work.
She got a new partner and moved a few miles away. Contact was still going well.
Then about 6 months ago she got into debt so they decided without speaking to my step son they would move in with the new partners parents. They live 22 miles away. My stepson does not drive.
Everything went well with contact as the mother has to drive past our house to work so she was dropping our grandson here and picking him up.
Today she has decided that our grandson can not be seen by his father unless he picks him up and drops him home.
Also the newish partner has phoned our stepson threatening him.
What’s my sons options?
Thanks.
is there a child arrangement order in place at the moment and does this include overnight stays? I think his ex should have discussed with him they were moving away, how old if the child and does this mean they will be changing schools etc too?
If he is having the child overnight, then obviously getting him to school will be an issue as it is so far away. I assume his only option is public transport? Is there a family member or friend who can go with him and pick them up in their car?
If your stepson has parental rights ie he is named on the birth certificate, he has a right to be consulted on major decisions such as where his son goes to school. It does not follow that the parent the child mainly lives with makes the big decisions. It sounds as though she is making life difficult as she knows he doesn't drive.
There is the possibility of applying to the court for a Child Arrangements Order but unless there has been domestic abuse, the court requires an attempt at mediation. So perhaps try mediation in the first place rather than court? There are various specialist services available. If the newish partner is making threats then he really needs to report it to the police. If he is reluctant to do this, then keep records of everything (dates, screen shots etc) as it might be needed in the future. Your stepson must be feeling really hurt.
If your stepson is concerned about the care of his son, then he should make contact with social services. You don't say how old the child is but if he's school age, then perhaps a chat with school to see if they have any concerns?
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