[Solved] Ex-Wife Opening Mail

Hi dad5

It's my understanding that it's illegal to open, destroy, hide or delay any post that is addressed to anyone else. I know you say your ex is confrontational, but could you try talking to her about it when she's calm and preferably when the children aren't around. If you don't think this will work, could you get your post redirected to your parents or work address for the time being?

I will ask our legal experts to look at your thread and respond to it. This could take a few days.

Do you have easy access to the local post office? If so, you could set up a PO Box - it's not expensive, and your mail is held at the post office until you collect it. I've done this in the past when I was in a similar position to you.

Yes opening a PO Box would be a good idea.....however it's £50 for 6 months, £62 for a year! Most of my mail isn't important but it is annoying that she opens it and reads it.

I don't think talking to her will do any good as she has lost the plot. I'm almost certain she opens my mail as she has "quoted" some things from some of my letters........that's the only way she would have known the facts (oh and it's obvious that the envelopes have been opened crudely and stuck down again).

There are other tricks she gets up to and it's unfair that I have to put up with it. When brought up in court the attitude seemed to be "well get over it cos you are a man". If I did the same things to her then I think my treatment in court would have been very different.........and that includes her striking me several times.

Well, look at it another way - it will puzzle the [censored] out of her if your mail suddenly stops arriving 🙂

I agree, society still allows women to get away with things that men wouldn't, but it is changing slowly.

Hi dad5

You might find it helpful to talk to your local Citizens Advice Bureau to find out where you stand from a legal point of view. You will find their number in your local phone book or you can log on to http://www.citizensadvice.org.uk

Redirection of post costs £26.00 for six months, £39.05 for 12 months if this helps.

Hi dad5,

I've only encountered a handful of similar situations.

If you are both currently living in the family home (i assume that Mortgage is met equally?) then you could request that your wife draw up a contract to agree that she will not return as you have a mutual agreement.

Its difficult to put on a brave face in front of your children. I actually think the questions that need asking here are:

How old are your children?
Do you live near to your parents?
Does your wage, or would your wage allow for you to move out. As you are out 4 days per week, i assume you have somewhere?
Are you Divorced/Getting Divorced?

Hmmm future developments may be:
Contact stopping.

About the post, yes its very annoying and yes its illegal. I would change addresses to all of the essential bills that are relevant to you to your parents. Another option may be to warn your wife that you will be taking action if it persists.

Another option with your mail is to go paperless as much as possible - especially your solicitor if you are divorcing - so that as much as possible is emailed to you, and your ex has access to your email, then set up a new one that she can't access.