i had a fact finding, and was totally cleared.
i got a cafcass interview coming up, which no doubt will lead me to a final hearing. my aim is to get as much access as possible, i dont want the standard every other weekend, and half holidays. i want to get close to 50/50 as possible.
the problem is at the moment im on one side of london, and my ex on the other side, 1 hr away with the kids.
i know if i dont live near by i cant get that many overnight stays\school drop offs. but this is not possible for me to move closer till i sell the family house which could take me months. Now will cafcass make their recommendation based on where im currently living, or will they take into consideration that i can move and will move closer to the kids in a few months once the house is sold/finances settled.???
appreciate anyones comments who have been in a similar situation, or know what i should do in terms of me relocating, will not moving now hinder my chances? but again if i move theres no guarantees i will get the access i want .....
Cafcass will have to give a view on the situation as it is but might be willing to comment on whether their view would alter if your circumstances changed. If this isn't included in their report, if you end up with a final hearing, you could ask this in your cross examination.
so would i be in a better position if i moved closer by to help get me more access, by maybe renting a property for the time being to show i can be there. then once i sell the main family house in a few months (after the cafcass report) i can then actually buy something there?
i just dont want my current location of being 1 hour away to hinder my process of getting more access with the cafcass report.
Thats a tricky one. Best to be up front with Cafcass and explain the situation. You can aim for as much access as is possible taking into account the restrictions location brings. Focus on what is best for the children. Too much travel could affect them but you can build in virtual contact until you can be closer geographically
the thing is i drive to pick them up and drop them off every weekend. i dont get overnight stays at the moment because the ex refused it (it helps get her more C.M)
i dont want to loose out on more access because i cant get down there till the house is sold. i will be upfront with cafcass, but im worried if they look at my current situation instead of when the house is sold, they may limit the amount of time i get. i want to push for close to 50/50 as possible.
to help myself, ive done 5 courses for being a single parent, have the certificates etc. ive always been involved in kids schooling and drop offs in past when we all lived together. i want to continue being in their lives as much as possible.
hi,
big sticking points would be your distance from children and your work commitments. if you move closer and your able to do school runs, then in theory you should be able to get more contact with your kids.
what if i said i was staying around my aunts house, which is 30 mins away from the kids. would that help, untill the house sold and i can buy my own place closer.
or would cafcass think, staying at my aunts house isnt appropriate.
If you can afford to get there sooner and have Cafcass assess you on the current rather than the future situation, that's entirely your choice.
Some courts would consider making an order for now and build something in for if you move closer, some won't.
If you end up with an order based on your current circumstances only, you can always return for a variation at a later date.
I can't see why you couldn't have overnight stays where you are now, but I would think it would be unrealistic to expect more than weekends and holidays with the travel time.