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Hi, This is my first post on this site and Im looking for advice.
The story goes (in brief) I was seeing a girl, we weent getting on, she falls pregnant, I leave. Not because of the baby but because my life was horrible in that relationship because we argued on a daily basis.
Babys born without being told anything, I try to keep up contact to see the baby. She allows a visit once a week. regular. But still wont put me on the BIRTH CERTIFICATE.
I tell the ex that Im moving in with my new partner, Visits stop! The baby gets christened without me being informed. I pay my CSA without question every month and am still refused access.
I am not paying for a DNA test because I'm 99% sure the babys mine.
What Rights do I have?
I have two boys from a past relationship ages 9 and 6 and I see them regular.
I live with my partner who has four children ages 8,5,4 and 1.
I have been CRB'd because I coach football to the youth.
My record stands for it's self. Im Safe with children and am responcable.
All I want to do is have access to my daughter whos one now.
Can you help me please?
Regards
Marc Roberts
Hi Mark,
Without Parental Responsibility you actually have no rights at all. Paying maintenance has no bearing on contact and paying doesn't entitle you to contact....I personally think the two should be linked but that's another story! You can get PR with or without her consent...obviously it would be much easier if you could get her to agree to sign the Parental Responsibility agreement, but if she won't you can apply to the court for this.
I think it might be a good idea to try and set up some Mediation. This will enable you to talk the issues through and with the help of a trained mediator try and reach some agreement. You would attend at the mediation centre and discuss what you would like to achieve and then they would write to your ex and invite her to attend. If she refuses this or it fails you will be given a form FM1 by the mediator and you would submit this to the court with your application for contact. The form you would need to do this is the C100 and you find information about this in a sticky at the top of the Legal Eagle section. It costs £200 to apply for a Contact Order and you can apply for PR at the same time at no extra cost. If you are on benefits or a low income you will be entitled to an exemption from court fees and that can be claimed on form EX160a. Of course if you can afford it you can have a solicitor to represent you, but there are many Dads here that have chosen to self represent, you will find a couple of stickys at the top of the Legal Eagle section about self repping.
Here's a link to Mediation, you might be eligible for Legal Aid for this so I have given a link to the Legal Aid calculator too.
www.nfm.org.uk
www.gov.uk/legal-aid-check
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