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Hi!
So I'm not sure if this is the right place to post this, but I've hit a point where I feel I need to take action and this is the best I can think of!
I'm writing on behalf of my other half (without his knowledge, just trying to build up a knowledge base myself to help him!). He has a child (2 years old- he's on the birth certificate) from a previous relationship (not married) and the mother is denying him access.
He saw the child only twice last year, and arranged a third meet up, drove the long distance to get there, when she refused to answer the door or the phone and acted like she wasn't home. Since then she hasn't replied to any messages and has blocked both him and I on Facebook.
I was just wondering if anyone has any ideas / advice on what he can do? He went to a solicitor not long after they split but struggled with the money aspect and at the time she agreed to let him visit so he stopped (I wasn't with him at the time so don't know about it first hand), he now has in his head that he won't be able to afford it so there's no point even attempting the process! It breaks my heart seeing that he can't have contact with his child when I know that he really wants to see them.
Thanks in advance!
Hi There,
He can go through the process without too much cost, he would firstly need to try mediation, this is now required before he could apply to the courts for an arrangement order.
There is a good chance from what you have said that his ex will refuse to attend mediation, which would be better in a way as then the cost stays even lower as he won't have to pay for sessions.
If she does attend then the mediator will try and help the two of them come up with an agreement to start and maintain regular contact, though this isn't legally binding, if they are able to agree then there would hopefully be some buy in from her to keep to the agreement.
If she refuses to attend or they can't reach an agreement the mediator will sign his court application form so that he can apply to the courts, there would be a fee for this but it's around £220 and that's all he will need to pay, he can represent himself through court and doesn't need to use a solicitor, we can help with advice and guidance throughout.
Many of us have been through the family courts and have self represented throughout.
He is more than welcome to join and ask any questions he likes about the process or you can ask and relay it back to him, we have helped lots through the court process and many come out the otherside with a good solid result.
GTTS
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