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Today was the very first step in my journey to see my children again - they were living with me for a while, but my ex came to their grandmother and took them 75 miles away to live with my ex and her new partner (who she has known only for around 3 weeks). I have been supported by my family to fund the court cost to get a contact order as my ex refused to tell me where the children were, we tracked them via her new partners facebook account! I am missing my children dreadfully but when she did not attend the court today, it has been rearranged for Monday (her new partner put on her facebook account that they were shopping locally but did not go to the court), Has anyone had a similar experience and what is the likely outcome. Each time the court date comes, I have to arrange not to be working and the court seems not to consider the lengthening time that I have not seen or spoken to my children. thank you,
It's always difficult to predict the outcome of a court case., but if she keeps failing to attend, the court aren't going to have much sympathy for her. When they were living with you, were they in schools etc? How long ago did she take them away?
If she refuses to attend court, I'd seriously look at the option of gaining residence, that might force her to attend at the very least.
Hi there
If you have a solicitor you must ask them to make the court aware what was said about shopping instead of attending court, if you can get a screenshot that would be helpful.
I do hope that your solicitor asked on the application form for an interim order for contact to be discussed at the first hearing.
It would also be beneficial to prepare a brief position statement to take with you to the hearing, giving brief details of the situation, your concerns and what you would like to happen.
It's important to concentrate on the best interests of your children, their age will be a factor in how the court deal with it. You need to ask for information about their accommodation and schooling, if this ant appropriate you should be asking for them to be returned. I would also hop that your solicitors makes a point of informing the court about the fact that they were taken without your knowledge, to live with a relative stranger, who you know absolutely nothing about!
All the best
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