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HI everyone,
I'm a newby..and I'm not a dad. I just wondered if anyone has any experience of this situation. My partner has an 11 year-old daughter from a previous relationship whom he has sever formerly seen. He split up from her mother before she was born. He is not on her birth certificate. His daughter has been brought up with a step-dad whom she believes is her real father. He tried a couple of times to go through mediation to persuade his ex to tell their daughter who her real father is and to be part of her life. His ex refused. He has been advised by Cafcas that when she is 12, she is entitled to know who her father is and he can force the issue so she is told. After that, it is up to his daughter if she wants to meet him or have him in her life in any way.
He is very keen to make up for lost time but realises she may not want to meet him. Is this correct? Can Cafcas play a part in his daughter being told about her real father?
Any advice will be welcome.
Many thanks.
Hi,
I am no expert but i think he will have to take this to court. He will have to go through the motions of mediation, C-100 forms and ask to be given parental responsibility. Cafcass will 100% get involved and i think they will do a section 7 report with recommendations on what directions to take. Cafcass are not the B all and end all as the final decision lies with the judge but their reports and recommendations do weigh heavy with the final outcome the judge will make.
I do believe at the age of 12 the childs voice will be heard and taken on board, dont be surprised if the mother who seems [censored] bent on not wanting him there has an input on his daughters choices on weather she wants contact or not.
I hope that helps
Paul
If the last mediation attempt was within the last 4 months, the mediator would be able to sign a C100 form for your partner to apply to the court for a Child Arrangement Order and Parental Responsibility.
CAFCASS would only have been involved with your partner if there were previous court proceedings as they are court appointed social workers, otherwise it would be Children's Services.
I think your partner needs to be prepared for the fact that his daughter may choose not to see him and this will not be a swift process. At the age she is now, CAFCASS would likely speak to the child to find out her views and wishes on the subject.
Thanks very much for your input. It's really helpful. He hasn't tried for mediation recently as he has been worried that if he persists his daughter's mother will go to ground and he won't be able to get anywhere with it when he tries to go down the legal route. They still live in the same area and he knows which school she goes to. He has seen her a few times from a distance but sensibly has never made himself known. He is prepared for the fact that she might not want to see him, but is hoping that as she will be consulted, even if she decides it is not what she wants at that time, she will at least know he is trying and perhaps she will change her mind at some point.
Thanks again.
If he wants to pursue this and the mother disappears, providing you can get the mediation forms stamped, you can then apply to court. There is a separate form to locate the mother and child if the address is not known.
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