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Hi there
Please I need advice on how to go about it in order for me to have contact with my Kids . I last saw them in 2014 after I was placed under a non-molestation order which has since expired. I have seen and spoken to my ex several times from last year 2016 up to now but she does not want me to see my Kids and this is driving me insane. I want to do it in a mature and civilised manner please give me advice.
Thanks in advance.
Kind Regards
Macebo.
Hi There,
You would need to first try mediation, you may find that you can resolve things with your ex that way, but if it fails or she won't attend then you could apply to the family courts for some help, you have to attempt mediation before you can apply to the family courts for help.
If you end up in court you can represent yourself and we can guide you through the court process.
It may just be worth starting off by writing your ex a letter explaining that you are looking at getting things moving and that you would like to try and do this between the two of you without having to involve mediators or the courts, but that if you need to then you will go the route and see what reaction you get.
GTTS
Hi there
As GTTS has said, mediation is the first step and must be attempted first. You would speak to the mediator, but leave it to them to contact your ex and invite her to attend.
Because of the non mol, the mediator may decide that mediation isnt appropriate and sign the form that enables you to apply for an order from the court.
If that happens, you would apply for a Child Arrangements Order and the form you would need is the C100 form, to submit the form would cost £215, but if you're on benefits or a low income, you may be entitled to a full or part exemption from this charge, you would need form EX160 to make a claim for that.
As there has been a history of domestic violence, the courts will probably order a detailed welfare report, called a section 7, this will explore if there are any safeguarding issues that need to be addressed.
Whilst the court are looking at the background to your case, they probably wont allow any contact, but once the welfare investigations are over and they decide that contact should go ahead, they will probably decide that contact should start in a contact centre, they might decide thst a period of indirect contact should happen first.
Theres lots of information about the process in the stickys at the top of the legal eagle section that you might find helpful and as GTTS says, we will do what we can to help you.
All the best
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