[Solved] New to this..

hi,

good to hear from you again. i am going through similar process. i went back to court the other week to ask for extra time.

i asked for 5pm fri - mon morning school drop every other week. wed-thu midweek overnight every week. half of school hols. reason i put 5pm is ex breached order during school holidays. wanted me to be at her door for 15:30. i turned up later, so from 4pm she blocked me from taking kids on the friday. like you i asked for order to be well-defined, with fixed times. so ex can't mess around in future. Last year court gave fri-sun and 3-4 hrs midweek every other week. i feel this isn't enough for kids and ex gave me good reasons to return to court.

can you check your court papers for the next hearing. what exactly is it asking you to prepare?

Hi Bill

Thanks for your quick reply!

What did the court think of your proposal for a little extra time?

I originally wanted 50/50 but I know this is going to be so hard to get so I thought I would ask for a little more than CAFCASS have said in their report in the hope it's more agreeable to the court and less disruptive to LG.

What did they think about the in-week overnights specifically?

I want fixed times for the same reason.. ex detailed in a message the order doesn't have set dates/times *facepalm* so wiggles it to suit.

I do feel the current time of 6pm pick up on friday is a pain in the holidays which is why I'm asking for school pick up time.. LG is also shattered by the time I pick her up and it's pretty much straight in and bed which isn't the best use of time I feel..

I wish there could be some unity between the ex and I so I didn't have to make it strict but she just doesn't like me anymore and for that LG suffers.

A little research on the net suggests a position statement is best to display what my requests are which, if the other side agrees, can be put into place on the day.. It was verbal request from the court.. didn't get any new paperwork but I'm thinking this will be the best way to present.

She needs to look reasonable because at present the past 2 hearings the court haven't looked too fondly on her so I'm hoping to get the additional time..I feel it's perfectly reasonable.

I'm also hoping CAFCASS will have an active role for a bit of time after as I am concerned about LG's dysfunctional home life and the alienation from adult family members.

I completely sympathise with you about all of this, it's a nightmare but until LG is old enough to make her own decisions, I won't stop fighting.

hi,

court didn't say anything about my proposals for extra time. ex agreed to give me little more time with baby daughter. they were busy picking on me, like why did daughter wet herself when she was in coffee shop with you lol. petty nonsense. court don't say much at 1st hearing. relying on cafcass to decide on the arrangements for extra time. they will most likely have issue with mid week overnights as one of my kids is 3. will be starting school in september. so will suggest midweeks start from september if age is an issue.