hi, im neil, ive joined looking for any help or support that anyone may be able to offer please. ive been sepperated a year, divorced since January 2014. in my divorce I had a separation agreement drawn up on my contact hrs with my 3 kids. all fine up until a month ago, when my ex was exposed for benefit fraud and not declaring new bloke living in her house etc. now she blames me, is demanding maintenance, and contesting my hrs with threats of no contact as sepperation agreement not worth a paper its written on etc. I have my kids 3 evenings a week, and every other weekend full. I have recently had, cancer, kidney transplant and a pancreas transplant. all fingers crossed in remission and now on mend. I have had them these hrs since September 2013 through my illness no problems, so does anyone know iff sepperation agreement enough, is she legal guardian etc. I am lost and my solicitor don't seem to have a clue. any help / advice greatly accepted. thanks
Hi there
I don't know a great deal about divorce, or separation agreements, although I do think they carry some weight. I'm surprised your solicitor can't advise you, as its a legal document it should be common knowledge. Perhaps the CAB would be able to advise you and there's a really good website called Wikivorce that would be able to tell you more, I'm pretty sure they have a helpline.
You mention maintenance, if you are on the sick I don't think you would be liable. There's a sticky at the top of the child maintenance section called "how does the CSA calculate payments" and you should find the information there.
As you were married and named on the birth certificate you do have Parental Responsibility and have certain rights. It might be worth trying Mediation, this is now compulsory before any court application can be made....court should be avoided at all costs as it can put further strain on your relationship with your ex.