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Hi,
Been split up just over a year, we were not married but together 20 years and have 3 kids. Since my ex found out 3 momnths ago that im dating again she has become totaly unreasonable. I agreed to mediation but she has just shouted at me for the entire two sesions and the mediator has said that this is clearly not the right route. Today she has told me that im not having the kids this weekend as ive not agreed to keep my girlfriend and her children away from our kids even though they all get on and both my kids are quite attached to her and her daughter. my 18 year old has already moved out because shee has also fallen out with her mum, My two boys are 15 and 9. I have Parental responsibility for the 9 year old (although nothing in writing and dont have a copy of his birth certificate) but she is refusing to give me PR for my 15 year old.
The Mediator told her she couldnt do this and her friends have told her shes being unreasonable and I dont feel theres anything else to do but get a court order. I'm on low pay and living in a static caravan as im paying child support and half the mortgage so no available cash. Im assuming the Citizens advice is the first port of call but does anyone have any advice to keep the costs down or can advise roughly how much it will cost as i will have to take out a loan and dont want to get halfway through the process and run out of money.
Richard
Hi Richard and welcome to the forum
https://www.gov.uk/parental-rights-responsibilities/apply-for-parental-responsibility
Please find above a link to the .gov website that explains about Parental Responsibility in more detail.
You can pursue this through the court without legal representation, many here do just that and its very doable! As you are on a low income it might be possible to claim an exemption from the court fees which would normally be £215. If she is interfering with your contact with the kids then you may as well apply for a Child Arrangements Order for contact at the same time.
Contact the mediator and ask him/her to sign off form C100 as you want to apply for a Child Arrangements Order for contact. They may also be able to provide you with form C1 which is the form you will need to apply for PR. the other form you will need is the EX160a which is to claim for an exemption of the court fees.
If you are self representing the application fee is the only cost that will accrue and if you are entitled to an exemption then it won't hurt your pocket.
You can ask the CAB for advice but most members here have found that all the information you will need can be found here, from the stickys at the top of the legal eagle section and from posting questions in that section that members are more than happy to help with.
Best of luck.
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