Hi have an interim court order for access with my children every other Saturday pending final hearing.
At the start of COVID myself and the kids mum both agreed that we would review access on a week by week basis, postponed the Saturday visits and had phone calls instead as their mum was very worried about the virus. I have reluctantly kept this arrangement until a few weeks ago when lockdown was greatly loosened. The kids' mum has a past inobstructing access and this has been confirmed in S7 report.
I have now suggested that we go back to the court order. The kids mum is saying no as my partner is a nurse and her partner is vulnerable and she has written this via her solicitor too. She has said I can see kids in an open space, such as park with her present but maintaining a 2m distance. I don't agree that this is required given government position on children from separated homes, the virus calming down and a big change in government stance.
My youngest child is also torn between parents and has not spoken to me when her mum is present. When with me she has been fine. I am worried that the mum is looking for evidence that the youngest doesn't want to see their dad for final hearing.
Mum won't budge on her position. Is court enforcement my only option and if so, are mum's actions reasonable? I do not believe they are in the current climate.
I’m afraid in the current situation there is not much you can do about the lockdown. The courts have given resident parents enormous power to end contact particularly with the key worker excuse she has.
No, she will NOT be able to argue that the child doesn’t want to see you. If that happens you have the start of an alienation case on your hands.
Thanks Flyingember. It just all seems wrong opening shops, potentially bars/cafe's. People protesting but the Goverment won't let families be with each other.
Mum won't allow video contact as she claims i'm an abuser and a threat to her, which is totally fabricated. I was permitted to have calls midweek too, but mum ended that after a social services call she made (which ended as no issue).
I just didn't want to put me or the kids in a strange and vulnerable position (for me) where she could allege anything or manufacture a position to create evidence for her.
When is your final hearing? Do you live fairly close to your ex partners address?
Final hearing has been delayed until start of October.
Yes I live about 5 miles away.
Only reason I ask is because of the current covid 19 pandemic I would take your ex partner up on her offer of meeting your son in local park for 1-2 hours weekly. Once you do that I would ask also for a video call midweek until final hearing. I think if she is still offering this you will be a lot happier than you are now as at least you would be getting some contact . if you are able to see son time will fly by quicker than you realise and it might be you potentially could increase contact before final hearing especially during summer holidays as restrictions are been lifted more and more.
Your ex is breaching , but nothing will come of it as she seems to be giving valid excuses which will result in nothing been done .
I’m afraid in the current situation there is not much you can do about the lockdown. The courts have given resident parents enormous power to end contact particularly with the key worker excuse she has.
No, she will NOT be able to argue that the child doesn’t want to see you. If that happens you have the start of an alienation case on your hands.
yep. in court my ex used the vulnerable grandmothers excuse to carry on keeping kids from me. court just let me have more video calls. i think best scenario for superdad is when you attend the final hearing, the lockdown would have been lifted and schools fully re-opened. then ex has no reason to deny contact. in the meantime it would be better for you to see kids in person, even with those annoying distancing rules.
Thanks all. I just keep hoping that Boris loosens the restrictions on families being together. I dont even know if the ex's partner is vulnerable or its a fib to keep me away. The ex's partner claimed to be a key worker when i was accused of not offering to take them supplies, even though they dont want me near their house. Everything is twisted and spun against me sadly.
I'm sure it's the same for you all.