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Just wanted to say what a great place this is, loads of helpful advice on quite literally loads of subjects.
I was also after a little advice on my situation, for the last 4 years have been paying my ex £414 pm, I suggested to her that I was struggling financially and could we look at the amount that I pay, essentially to even it out so I am able to actually do things with the kids when I have them. She is reluctant to commit to this as i believe she rely's on the money for other reasons.
The main point that I would like advice on is time spent with the kids, currently I have them 6 nights out of 14. I asked my ex if I could have them on the Friday night before my weekends as it would give the kids an extra layin and also she wouldn't have to worry about clothes being brought back ( strange i know !!! ). She point blank refused this request and also has not given me a reason for the refusal. The kids now are asking if they can spend a equal amount of time at each house ( 7 days with me 7 days with ex )
My questions ....
Can she refuse me access without giving me a reason ?
Can she refuse what in essence the kids are asking for regarding equal time ?
Thanks in advance
Hi there
A couple of questions....
Do you pay child maintenance through a statutory arrangement through the CSA, or do you have a private arrangement?
Are the contact arrangements that you have at the moment agreed informally or do you have a court order?
Without any court order your ex can stop and start, refuse or alter contact whenever she likes.
It depends how old the kids are, if they are 11/12 or over then they can have a say as far as the courts are concerned, but without any order in place, if the mum says no then that's the way it is.
You could try mediation to try and sort this out, you would have to attend mediation before you could take court action anyway, if that's what you decide. Court should always be the last resort, it puts a great deal of strain on separated parents relationship and if you can sort it out without this then that's the best option always.
It's difficult for me to provide solid legal reasoning so I thought maybe if I were you I would just try to make a better connection with your ex so you can learn how to negotiate these kinds of questions. I guess I would focus on what I can do to make her happier so that she gets more sooperative?
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