Quick update..i had my final hearing outcome after 2 and a half days, split between the week before last and this week.
Application CAO made in July last year
Ex parte NMO given against me in July/August
contact stopped with son for 7 months due to NMO
NMO discharged after 7 months
Cafcass recommend alternate weekends for me, despite evidence of contact every weekend and one day a week for last 8 years
Child taken on as child in need after Cafcass report
Hair strand tests found to be positive for 2 class A-mother after cafcass report
Anyway to cut a long story, Cafcass recommended a further day on top of alternate weekends, despite positive drug tests, child in need being freshold being met and school reports supporting father. Truly awful
Judge went in my favour awarding live with father and mother reverts to alternate weekends, half holidays shared. Amazing result after so long and battles with everyone especially cafcass and SS..
I will say more further on but keep hope everyone. managed to get a positive outcome despite NMO and negative cafcass reports. You can do it too.
Lots of people on here who supported me so thank you so much, especially Mojo who was always so kind, thoughtful and knowledgeable-thank you.
Holidays
I now have a court order that states for summer holidays they should be shared with mother the first week, and then alternated with me having 6th and final week of summer. However, mother was also granted an exception as she had already booked dates of 15th August until 23rd August. My concern is the 15th is on a Thursday of my 4th week. I am not overly worried but interested what others would do in this situation? Would you take back the days owed as such later in holiday so it remains fair and equal. Also my son breaks up on Tuesday 23rd July which means Mum misses one day. Is that just the way it goes or does this need to be addressed? Any experience of this would be much appreciated.
Thank you
That’s a brilliant result! Well done thelongroad!
I’ve copied and pasted your above post and put it in our Success Stories thread, which can e found as a sticky in the Legal Eagle section.
As far as flexibility is concerned, it would be ideal if you could draw a line under the past events and try and establish a working relationship with the mother, I know it probably won’t be easy, but if you can get a line of communication going, it will really help you all in the future.
With that in mind, I would like to suggest that you make a civil approach to the mother, to discuss the odd days during the holidays and anything else, such as handovers or making changes to contact time, etc.
All the best
