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Hi
I am in need of urgent help regarding my disabled son who is unable to make choices for himself, please can you help.
I am divorced from his mother and have always had contact with my son.my son is 17 yrs. of age and will be 18 in January the 21st,up until four weeks ago I had regular contact with him then with no reason it has all stopped. I have started the process of obtaining a court order, but I feel this will not be any good as when he turns 18 it will end. I can only think his mother is going for guardianship but am not sure. what can I do to continue my contact with my son through the law courts to continue seeing my son when he turns 18 and over. please help!!!
Hi Hilier,
welcome and sorry to hear of this. You have both probably done your son extremely well to stay together and raise him up until now. It is a really interesting point you raise for guardianship of a minor who will soon be lawfully considered an adult but is unable to consent.
I must be honest and say I havent a clue and this will through all sorts of legal and ethical questions. I think the issue of decision making will be difficult to eg to medical treatments and involving both parents.
I would advise you to see a meeting with a solicitor that can offer a free 30 min consultation. I am not sure if we can get the CLCC to advise hear as well?
What I would probably say is assume your child has not got any disabilities. This should be treated in the same way. Propose mediation - get the FM1 form signed and then think about applying the C100 as a matter of urgency perhaps with a cover letter explaining the age issue. Every son/daughter no matter how old we are have a right to see our parents.
Good luck
Hi There,
I can't say I would be able to give any solid advice on this either, But I would imagine that as your son isn't able to make decisions for him self any court order would remain in place even after the age of 18.
I would also try mediation to see what the reasons are for the stop in contact and try and resolve it without court action.
GTTS
I agree with GTTS - at the least I would think the court could appoint someone to represent your son's best interests (not sure it it's a guardian, or made a ward of court or something else) - I can't see it stopping at 18.
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