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Hello all,
Hoping for some help.
I got divorced in May of this year. As part of the divorce we (Ex wife and me) agreed I would have my 4 year old daughter every other weekend overnight friday to sunday pm.
Since then I have moved from Bournemouth to Cheltenham, this was mainly due that I could no longer afford to stay in Bournemouth and live alone so I moved in with new partner.
My daughter has her own room at my new home, and is a very safe environment for her. She has stayed twice since I omved in June, but now my ex is saying that she will not allow me to take Olivia up there unless it is holiday time.
While I understand this to a certain extent, its not that far (2 hours max) and I only want to be able to take her there once every 4 weeks (Sat am to Sunday pm) the onther weekend I will just have her during Saturday and Sunday dropping her off at her mothers and picking her back up next day.
this I feel is a fair compromise rather than going so long with her not staying with me.
She loved her time in Cheltenham and has asked to go back its just her mother stopping me.
She now says I have to take her to court in order to take her there and until I do she will not let me see her at all.
Has anyone come across this situation befre? What my chances would be in getting the court to agree 1/4 weekends is fair.
Any help would be great
Thanks
Chris
Hello
Im sure many will say the same thing but it sounds like the Ex is trying to get back at you because she can. Anyway that aside I believe the courts will always want to include the father rether than exclude unless there is serious welfare issues. So I would of thought that what you are asking 1 weekend in 4 reasonable, of course before all that begins you will have to try the mediation route.
So try and talk with the Ex if you can, be a little patient but if there is no movement go to mediation as quickly as possible. The last thing you want is for this to drag on, it will only give mum the right to say that hardly any conatt should take place as thsi is all little has known.
Nice ot hear that you are making teh effort and collecting then dropping your daughter off. Many dads expect to move away and think the mother should meet halfway.
Dont forget at 4 yrs old youcan phone them and send them little hand made cards to stay in touch.
Hope it goes well.
Hi,
What are the reasons your ex is not agreeing to you having your daughter for 1 weekend a month? I would think this is a very reasonable request unless there is anything that has happen that should prevent this.
Hi Chris
I would say at this point, it would be worth looking at mediation as its possible that you can reach an agreement with your ex without going to court, but I'd have a read of Toni's guess at the top of the legal section so you have an idea of the process.
Hi There,
I have moved this to the legal section as it will probably get more hits and advice from here.
I have to say I think you stand a pretty good chance of getting what your asking for, I would maybe start off asking the court to order every other weekend as full weekends staying with you though (if you are planning on starting court proceedings) as then you are able to drop down to an acceptable level while going through court if needed and you will come accross as accomodating and understanding.
I would suggest that it may be worth trying mediation before going to court though as this may be the quicker and easier option.
Darren
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