[Solved] First Hearing

Hello and good luck with your first hearing. You don't have to divulge, but it will really depend on why your ex partner has stopped you from seeing them? With regards to the position statement, I had to email mine in to the court, but they never got it (or didn't bother to read it) so i took copies with me.

With regards to the call from CAFCASS, it is best to answer questions honestly and do not slag off the mother (as tempting as that may be) you will get a copy of the report before the hearing, so you will see what your ex partner has said and why they have stopped you seeing the children. At the first hearing, you may get an option to discuss with your ex or solicitor to suggest suitable contact. If the ex or CAFCASS raise any concerns such as domestic abuse, drugs or anything, they may ask CAFCASS to carry out a section 7 report. This will involve face to face interviews with both parents, meeting and talking to the children (if they are old enough to talk about this) they will do detailed police checks and home visits.

I have had two hearings and a final hearing is arranged for December. I am only seeing my two daughters for a couple of hours every two weeks, this was only agreed fairly recently. I don't want to sound negative, but do not get your hopes up that this will be resolved on the first hearing.

Good luck with it all and keep us posted.

Thanks Feeder. I don't expect a quick resolution, its just hard seeing I haven't seen our children for nearly 4 months. Not as bad as some have it though.

The reason she gave for stopping access is that she considered me to be a risk physically and emotionally to our kids. There had been no drugs/drink/physical issues nothing. What seems to be the real reason for this is my partner and I had a baby which seemingly the ex wife doesn't like.

The ex has reduced the kids time with me through constant changes to the Rota down from 50/50 to nothing. She has also stopped her parents and mine from seeing their grandchildren.

I'm writing everything focusing on the kids. The things my ex doesn't like are her problem, not mine and I do the best for the children, as I have done since they were born.

Thank you for the info and I'll keep updating on here. Fingers crossed!!

Hi. I'm going through this right now.. Just had my first hearing last week. Cafcass said to me, she was to recommend interim contact for me as its been 4 months since I've not seen my children.. At court cafcass, went to speak to my wife and said she was recommending contact for me, and low and behold my wife made 2 more allegations, and then caffcas said no contact to be recommended. All due to my wife making 2 more false allegations, just so to stop me seeing our children.. And on it goes... Back in court 21 November, for double Scott schedule.. And on it goes...

That sucks Devo. It's a horrible position to be in, not being able to see your kids. I constantly think about them, my mind has been mashed since I last saw them although I try my best to keep sane.

If allegations made are false then I hope that your wife is found out. Behaviour like that to be bitter is shocking but, the more I read, the more it seems to happen. I just wonder what allegations will be made again at me.

Mate, you guys will be in for real surprise soon. CAFCASS/Social Services will only continue to encourage both parties to make allegations and to go legal. You hire solicitors and waste all your money. You will end up spending a lot of money on Mediation, Court Fees, Contact Centre etc.

This is a making money scheme, avoid courts and settle it out of court.

Mate, you guys will be in for real surprise soon. CAFCASS/Social Services will only continue to encourage both parties to make allegations and to go legal. You hire solicitors and waste all your money. You will end up spending a lot of money on Mediation, Court Fees, Contact Centre etc.

This is a making money scheme, avoid courts and settle it out of court.

hi,

as mentioned in previous posts, it's ideal to settle out of court. but some ex's dont want that and don't give a [censored]. so legal route becomes only option.

Agreed Bill. As I said in another post. My wife has become someone I no longer recognise.