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I separated from my wife some 3 months ago on pretty bad terms. I wasn't allowed to see my son (who is nearly 4) over Xmas and have only been allowed to see him once every two weeks for a few hours. Despite asking my wife for the opportunity to have more regular access, she has told me that for the foreseeable future this will remain the arrangement and if I'm lucky some time in the future I may be allowed to see him one evening in the week. She is also becoming increasingly evasive when I try to contact her to discuss the situation.
Having agonised over what to do I have now instructed my solicitor to go down the route of mediation and (in all likelihood) court. I live near my son and previously had a very close relationship. My wife claims him seeing me upsets him, which is clearly nonsense. Whenever he is with me he is so happy giggly, like it always has been.
Has anyone recent experience of UK court proceedings since last years change in legislation? Can anyone give me an idea of the level of access that i might be able to secure? Being realistic Im sure the ex will resist any attempt to give me a say or any involvement in his upbringing. Seeing some of the tragic stories I read on these forum posts I feel things could be worse but it just is so upsetting and frustrating. Is it unrealistic to aim for every other weekend plus a mid-week overnighter and an even split of school holidays? Any advice would be appreciated as at present I have no idea. Thanks.
Hey and welcome to the forum 🙂
That's roughly the minimum you're like to have to be honest the courts seem to like every other weekend fri-mon then one over night each mid week so it's not unreasonable what you are asking at all.
You shouldn't have a problem with gaining that schedule at all so crack on with the courts, You do feel loads better once you get the ball rolling and it's nice not having to live with the ex's controlling ways and not having to live by her rules although the courts was stressful I would of much rather had that stress than putting up with the ex's rubbish day in day out 🙂
I agree with Slim. A bog standard arrangement seems to be alternate weekends and a midweek plus a split of school holidays.
Your son is certainly old enough to be having overnight stays in the eyes of the court.
My partner's child was a similar age and he had no issues securing that level of contact (minus the midweeks as there is a considerable distance between the homes).
Good luck 🙂
Thanks to Slim and 1626. It gives me some hope and something to aim for.
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