Sadly, not every marriage can maintain a 'happy ever after', leading many couples to divorce. In the midst of a marital split, there may be children involved and each parent may have their own ideas as to how their offsprings should be looked after and who should look after them.
Sometimes feelings are so strong as to who should have the children that one or both parents may instigate custody proceedings in order to have the law rule on which parent is the most suitable carer.
What is Child Custody?
Child custody is a ruling by a magistrate – or Family Panel – who determines which parent should have the children living with them. This decision is based on a number of factors and also takes into consideration the feelings of the children involved, if they are old enough to understand what is going on around them.
Child custody also rules on how often and under what circumstances the parent who has been refused custody should see his or her children.
Applying for Custody
Before you can apply for custody you must ensure that all avenues of amicable agreement have been exhausted. It is important to remember that a custody battle can be a long drawn out series of hearings and, throughout this, your children will be fully aware of what is happening. They will have to speak to the court welfare officer during this time, too.
You must first consult a solicitor who specialises in family law, and they will instruct you on the best course of action. If there are no mitigating circumstances in the custody request, such as domestic violence, you should reasonably expect the process to take some time.

Check your legal rights as a parent on education, health and welfare decisions.
Try our Parental Rights Checker free, here on this site →Appearing before the Family Panel
When you are given the date for your custody hearing, you will be required to appear before the Family Panel – which consists of three magistrates – and explain your reasons for wanting custody of your child/children. Your partner will also have to do this and the Family Panel will put a series of questions to you in relation to how you think you can cope with the children on your own, why you think you are the parent to whom the court should grant custody, and also if you are able to support the children financially?
Your situation may be slightly different. ask a question below ↓ and our editorial team will reply with our advice.
The Court Welfare Officer
The Court Welfare Officer is given the task of assessing your status at home and also how you interact and look after your children. They will make their report and submit their recommendations to the Family Panel, and may on the day of the custody hearing be asked to present their findings to all those present.
The Court Welfare Officer may also have to speak with your children to try to find out Who They Would Like To Live With and the reasons why. All of this information is documented and presented to the Family Panel for review.
The Family Panel’s Ruling
You should be mindful of the fact that the Family Proceedings Court is a court of law and the magistrates operating therein are doing so in accordance with the law. With this in mind the Family Panel’s decision is legal and binding and – unless you appeal it – you are required by law to adhere to the terms and conditions of the custody agreement.
I need some inquiries about child custody please thanks
so im waiting for my solicitor to contact me on monday and hopefully i might have my daughter back living with me
I want to check if I can get full custody of my daughter 10 years old who lives with me since me and my partner got mutually divirced.
He has moved to Birmingham now and has got married too so he hardly visit my daughter. And, he contributes nothing financially towards my daughter upbringing.
Recently my daughter had her wrist bone broken as she fall down from scooter but he was not there for daughter, it was me all alone. And it is always me alone for everything my daughter needs.
Please advise.
Regards,
Kamini Patel
There is domestic abuse
Mental abuse etc...my children has witnessed aa few of these moments (the oldest especially) my eldest now is on a senco register etc and suffers with anxiety... they no longer what to know this person n keep asking why they have to have his last name when they dont want it. .can you help us
He had a home for about 6 months and probably had my children stay with him twice in the last 4 years! He has paid no child support for about 3 years!
I would like to know how easy it is to get full custody as he is not even in the country, and has no input at all in anything they do.
She always threatens him about not being allowed to have them if he doesnt conform to her demands.
She has been on and off with her boyfriend who abused her, often infront of the children (we have evidence of a police report)
We know that she often sends the kids to sleep at other peoples houses during the time she is meant to have them, often the grandma! (We belive she has never had the kids for more than two consecutive nights)
We are also positive she has a mental disorder and is a narssisist, her constant lies and manipulation is having a dangerous effect on his daughters me talking health and we are frowning increasingly concerned about their wealfare and their future.
Would we stand a hight chance of getting full custody, we have always wanted this but two scared for it to have a backlash as she is so good at acting the victim and is incredibly manipulative. Also the cost is a concern of ours as although we both work full time I dont know how we will find the funds?
I kept the house and I am raising my kids, my 2 eldest are 19 and 17, but still have a 12 years old daughter and a 4 years old boy which I need to grant custody so I can apply for new documents and take charge of everything.
We lived together for 20 years but never got married.
What do I need to do? Whom do I need to speak to? Where do I need to go? to grant my kids full custody.
I kept the house and I am raising my kids, my 2 eldest are 19 and 17, but still ha a 12 years old daughter and a 4 years old boy which I need to grant custody so I can apply for new documents and take charge of everything.
We leaved together for 20 years but never got married.
What do I need to do? Whom do I need to speak to? Where do I need to go? to grant my kids full custody.
I want to look into taking full custody of my child. I feel like an only parent to her, her dad has her only once a week and doesn’t see her otherwise, he only has her otherwise he will have to pay more child Matienence, even though he only lives a 10 minute drive away! I have asked for him to share parenting abit more, as I never get a chance to do anything! He has responded saying things like he doesn’t want to be her dad & he doesn’t want to have her more! He makes excuses that it’s hard - when really it isn’t. I just feel like I don’t want a part time dad in her life as it’s upsetting and confusing for her. So to be honest I’d rather take this role alone! As it’s already what I do! If you could give me some advice on what I need to do - that would be great. Thank you
she refuse to let me talk to her I have no access to my own daughter,I don't even know what forms she is in school,I try to come to terms with her mother she never let me,she is in her third relationship now with another man child,she don't have any time for my daughter or the rest kids,please safe the life of my daughter, I ask her to tell me what form she is and I need to know her life she just don't let me near my girl,and I don't trust the man she married she could be pedophile. please safe my daughter.
I agreed to the condition of the kids staying where they were for now as i needed to show more consistency and coping with a newborn to social services plus the upcoming cesarean section and sterilisation recovery period on the understanding contact would be for 3 hours on a Saturday ( as opposed to 1 hour 3x per week)that it would be regularly reviewed and the possibility of the children returning home sometime in the near future wasn't out of the question.
I know as difficult as it was i was thinking of the best interests of my babies at this time which the judge commended for so they were subject to a full care order.
Current contact is for an hour and a half every monday which is killing me!!! Because apparently we need to build up to that 3 hours so its not too much ( the contact centre cannot facilitate this
I have been separated from my ex husband for 11 years and divorced for 5 years
He has agreed to give me full parental responsibility
How do I go about making good that legal?
Many thanks
I'm an Indian born Australian Citizen, OCI card holder, married to an Indian Citizen from last 3 years, and have one 2 years old son, who is born in India and gained Australian Citizenship by Descent. At the moment, he doesnt have OCI card. We have taken visitor visa for 1 year for him.
We live in India and are working so my mum takes care of our son all the time.
My wife who is an Indian Citizen is creating problems in family. She is not interested in our relation now. She didn't applied for Australian Spouse Visa as she doesn't want to move to Australia because she is very possessive about her family and want to live with them. At the moment we are living together. I have 3 brother-in-laws and 2 sister-in-laws so there is no question of anything like they need her support or financially dependent on her.
So now I wish to move back to Australia with my son.
My questions are:
1.Can I take my 2 year old son to Australia with me as he is an Australian Citizen.
2.Can She by any means create problems for him to move to Australia with me. If yes, then what is the point of my Son having Australian Citizen.
3. Can I apply for divorce in Australia if i got married in India.
My reason for divorce is that my in-laws family are forcing me to live in India. As they know if by Indian law they can stop me taking my child to Australia as he is an infant, so they can force me to live in India and are harassing me in different ways.
Please advice.
Regards,
Rahul
I’ve managed to get away from my nacassist boyfriend after a long and traumatic 20 months. We have a 6 month old baby, he’s been making threats towards me and the kids and also threatening to lie and have my kids taken away by social services. He’s a very angry man and his other kids have seen far too many angry outbursts, even crashes my car with the kids in. I want to know if I can gain sole custody of my son because I fear for his safety physically and mentally if he is to take him to his home for visits. Does anybody know how long this takes and how much it will cost me. This is not out of a spite, I have a 5 years old daughter who sees her dad 3 nights a week and we have a good relationship regarding our daughter, this is purely because I’m petrified he uses the baby to torture me further or worst still anything happens to my baby ??
I have a 4 yr old son who lives with just me, his father has made it clear he doesn’t want to be in any part of his life. He lives in Nigeria, we are married for 5 years but separated for 3 years e doesn't see our son since he had 1 year old, when his father left the country. My husband doesn't have any contact with our son has himself denied to talk on the phone with his dad. His dad doesn't help financially and doesn't contribute with nothing for his well being. Would I be within my rights to apply for sole custody of my son? I work and solely support myself and my son. Would an application be successful? And how long all the process would take to come to a end? Many thanks
I will need help with costs to do this as I'm on a low income and I'm struggling to put a roof over my head, I may even become homeless because of what he's done.
I just need help and advice please
His dad doesn’t help financially and has let him down on countless occasions. I work, I provide our home and solely support myself and my son. Would an application be successful?
Many thanks
Ex is refusing access to myself and my family, or returning him so he can go to school.
Where do I stand as a mother? I applied for to court for CAO, prohibited steps and specific steps to bring him back but he’s applied for CAO gor son to be in his care
I have been allowed contact with them one day per week but this was put in place by my ex.
We cant reach a mutual decision as we both want her full time and we juat end up arguing. Will the fact that shes been at his since day one affect the final decision in court?
She is in the unusual position of being formally divorced but the finances / custody are yet to be settled. She has been the main carer though her son's lifetime and he lives with her now. He sees his father every other weekend and each Wednesday. But he often does not want to see his Dad who seem seems to spend most of the time ignoring him or belittling his mother So the Wednesday visits have stooped and the weekends are becoming more sporadic.
After making no progress is settling the remaining issues my girlfriend is taking the ex husband to court. Her solicitor has advised her that taking this holiday without her son will be looked upon badly by the Court and may affect the custody decision.
Additionally, as she does not have formal custody she is very worried that if she went, he could just turn up, with the Police if necessary, and physically take their son back to the ex marital home (where he lives), and make his own arrangements for child care and ask the courts for permanent custody?
Would all this be possible?
I've had a verbal agreement for several years with my ex were I see my daughter 3 nights one week and 4 nights the next and this is continuous throughtout the year regardless of what days each others times fall on (Xmas, birthdays etc)
While this sounds ideal the mother has continously shown signs of possible neglect but with no proof I couldn't do anything as I only had what my 7 yo was telling me. She does like going to her mothers but its due to getting to do what she wants. She has told me she just spends everyday on ipad. Gets fed junk and doesn't have to do her own homeworks and has even missed school several times when her mum can't be bothered to take her.
Recently however the mothers own mum approached me with information. Apparently the mother has been taking drugs, weed and cocaine definitely. Possibly with my daughter present. My daughter feels her mum can act erratically at times and she sounds like she emotionally abuse her and makes her feel like she lets her down. The mothers mum has also confirmed the living standards as mentioned above as well as information unbeknownst to me until recently, that during the 5 years we were together she had cheated on me several times and used me to look after our daughter so she could live in that way.
My question is how much of this is likely to go into a report, how strong does evidence have to be to be considered. I fear for my daughters health and will be approaching our doctor to see about involving social services also in this case.
My ex husband sees his daughter every other weekend and takes her for half a day every Wednesday and he also gets a holiday with her and a few days during half term holidays. I have never stopped him seeing her. My daughter and I are very close and apart from my abusive ex who my daughter rarely saw, we were only really together whilst she stayed weekends at her dads, I wondered if he had a case?
I think my ex is going to take me to court and I'm wondering if he'll have a case?
I have 2 children under 2 years old and they see their father regularly. (Stay with him once a week)
I've said he can't have them stay over on their birthday's ( the day I gave birth to them ) and I won't allow him to take them 260 miles away over Christmas every other year.
He's now threatening to take me to court. We've had a couple of mediation sessions and can't come to an agreement
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Hi, My partner have gone to her parents house and taken my son with her who was 3months old. She accused me of slapping her and i was given minor caution by police and got released. I have not seen my son for 2months and she is not letting me to see my son. I have tried to get in contact with her so many times and she has ignored me till today. I am going to see mediation to have a meeting after 5 weeks as she again refuse to see me any earlier until july 2017. I am so dying to see my son but have no clue what other options i have for his custody, Do you think i will be el8gable for 50/50 custody for my son as he is going to be 5 months in June. Pls help me...
So my and my partner have been together 2 years, he has 3 children with his ex witch he was with for 9 years. So abit about the story. They had 3 kids and then split (she went with another guy) she then moved with the kids and my partner didnt know were she or his children had gone, he after 18 months of trying he go her new address. Went to the house and she agreed to let him see the children for a few hours every other weekend. She would not let me meet the children as she said that was best for them, after about 3 months of my partner doing this she said they could stop at our house for the weekend (the first time i met my partners kids was when they stopped for the weekend) it continued to be were they came to us every other weekend... She then stoped them from coming because my partner let his boys watch a tv program that she said was to old for them, so they went to mediation. It was sorted out and stated that we would have them every other weekend, she had to tell him is there was any medical problems or changes to the kids and they would both only let the kids watch/listen to age rated things... But she is not aloud to tell my partner how to act/bring up his children when they are with us. Any way now she has picked witch secondary school her eldest is going to without talking to my partner about it. She is not telling us about school plays, she is telling my partner what time to put the children to bed... Asking him not to straighten his daughters hair... And bot following through with doctors appointments that my partner has asked her to make regarding one of the children... 1 of the kids has now said he wants to live with me and his dad... And said the reasons were because he feels like he dosnt get any attention off of his mum as she now has a new baby and her new partner has a son... He never gets any space or time to himself as there are 3 beds in his bedroom... And his mum makes faulse prommises to him... Im just wondering what we can do as i hate to see the kids like this, my partner pays her monthly, yet the children are all in second hand clothes or hand me downs and there trainers are walking off there feet so to speak! Help please
My husband and I separated 18 months ago due to domestic violence this was reported and on the waiting list for crown court however I heard he was planning on moving to Australia (new girlfriend is Australian) so I withdrew my statement and the case was dropped. Surprise surprise a month later he is now in Australia. What I need to know is can I apply for sole custody so I do not need to seek permission from him when we go on holiday, schools they go to etc. I don't want to ban contact as the girls love their dad I just want to be in control of it and their upbringing. TIA
My son lives with me full time and has done since birth. I left my ex due to domestic violence, i however didnt report this to police etc.
Since the start off 2016 i have been in and on and off court battle with my sons paternal grandmother. (Last court hearing was april) i wont go into much detail, but the first was to arrange contact etc so my son goes to her house every wedneday for 7 hours then every other saturday for 7 hours.
The most recent was her requesting overnights, which the judge sided with my solicitors offer of one saturday a month instead of her once a week.
My ex has been in and out of our sons life, had never shown any commitment to any of the professionals that have been involved. (Social services) he doesnt support him financally and through out the court process he never asked for his own contact. He was advised multiple times to put his own application in but never has.
He never asks about him, instead he will try to control me by using our son.
I am tired of him walking in and out when it suits him, because at the end of the day it will be our child who gets hurt. I dont want another court battle but i physcally dont know what else I can do. He doesnt provide for his child. I have a child arrangement order that states my son is to live with me, would this help? I am so concerned that all this is going to have a negative impact on my son. It is in every single report tha he is inconsistent, hasnt shown any commitment when it comes to his child.
My ex is now getting married and has told me he wants me to move back to the UK with our son or else' see what I do'. I'm in no position to move back right now and its better for my son and i to stay where we are for financial an logistical purposes. I'm afraid if i came back to the UK and let my son see his father, my ex would keep him and not let me take him back .
My son is 9 years old, I have been having him every other weekend and every Wednesday evening. This has been going on for years. We have been happy with this situation for such a long time.
His mum has recently got a new boyfriend after several years of being alone and since this man has been involved (a year and a half) there has been problem after problem. Because of the nature of my work I cannot finish early enough to go and see my son during the week except Wednesdays but they are throwing the fact that I don't see him in my face. I bought my son a phone so he could contact me whenever he wanted when he wasn't with me but a couple of months ago while I was on the phone to him his mums partner snatched the phone off him and threw it out of the car window. He has phone me today to say that I am not aloud to buy him anything for his home and if I do it will be thrown away as soon as he comes home with anything.
The new partner has a daughter that he sees for a couple of hours every other Sunday because his ex has a court order on him.
My sons mum has bipolar and has caused me and my family a lot of grief for many years.
All I want is for my son to be happy and I believe he will be happier with me. Would I have enough grounds to apply for custody?
He seems to be happy enough at home but there is always a dark cloud over him and I think he has learned to disguise his feelings.
I really need help now.
Thank you.
My Husband has a child with his Ex, We recently have all decided that it is better for his son to come and live with us. How do i make this legal. His mother does not want him. I want to make sure my husband has full custody and rights and that his ex does not just want us to have him and then change her mind in a few months.
Please help me. do i need to go to court for this?
My ex partner and i split when our child was 4 weeks old he stopped seeing him at 8 weeks old without saying anything, my son is now 5 and he still hasnt bothered with him, whilst together there was violence in which i did phone the police and the day we split he smashed my window covering my son in glass (4 weeks old) i called the police again and he was charged with criminal damage.
I dont want him to just be able to walk into his life if he ever decides to so i want full custody and to take his rights away.
Does anyone know how i go about doing this?
2 years ago me and my partner split...
We never were ok... now just gone worse as I left my sister and moved in with my fiance.
He keeps breaking promesses like scare her for potty when she was going. She come with nappy rashes. All sorts. So I told him until he prove he is capable of looking after her he would have to visit her in the house. Stay as long as he likes but not taking her... anyway when he has her always stays indoors not going out of the hotel... as he lives far.
When I tell him to come he refuses and say I'm stopping him to see her. And he will call police. I am metals so stress I dont now what to do anymore... pleaseeee any advice????
This last weekend she took the car and headed north to visit her sick mother, which is normal. But she refuses to say when she's coming back and doesn't telephone or seem to want to talk with her children.
They have been married 10 yrs, he is 34 and she is 40. As his father it's hard to wacth this happen and be un-biased. I've always adopted a position of supporting 100% my children's spouses and I have.
What options does he have 'if' she decides not to come home?
We have very such different viewpoints on raising the children, totally opposite ends of the scale due to our different educational and social backgrounds . There is no compromise available and we continue to argue . The Ex keeps going on that he has rights and continues to try and control me through our children . I Divorced him for unreasonable behaviour very controlling .
Eldest child is 4.5 and youngest is 2.5. Once we separated I pulled the eldest from normal nursery and this September put her in private school . Yes I did this without his permission as I knew he would never allow the children to attend a private school , but I would be paying all costs ! . I wanted my children to have the best education and opportunities / head start in life that I can provide. Second daughter place also secured in private school, so they would go together . The eldest loves the new school .
Ex husband doesn't believe in private school education / educating children (he thinks it's up to the school only) / disagrees with homework set for the children /not supportive (i.e. Doesn't spend time reading or helping teaching children with abc etc ) and the list goes on . Ex does not contribute a penny to education or tuition fees / uniform /lunch money etc . Basically if he doesn't agree with anything he never financially contributes . Overall Im fine if he doesn't financially contribute , but what the problem is that since he objects - I can't do anything , then he goes on about his parental rights .
I envisage that this behaviour of him not agreeing to something, will be impacting and will continue for the rest of their childhood. Envisage it will slowly creep into other areas such as location of holidays (he wants them to travel in Europe only - I let them see the world and different cultures) . For example I let them to travel to see his family in Italy , but he won't let them to travel to Vietnam as he says it's a 3rd world country and too far !
Again on children hobbies, since ex disagrees we argue all the time what's in the best interest of children. Typical arguement is that he doesn't want eldest to learn French , I explained it's part of her school curriculum. Find it hypocritical that he would approve of they learnt Italian at school as he is Italian .
Overall if I file for sole custody , will this mean that he can't stop me from giving my girls the best opportunities just because he doesn't agree with them ? , he wants them to grow up "average and normal " he says , hence we are always going to clash.
He doesn't pay for anything but continues to object to opportunities and experiences for my girls .
I financially provide everything in my house /live in nanny / bills etc , what he gives me in monthly mainte
I do understand that she is in the first year and that there is an element of post natal and that pre natal she was pumped full of IVF drugs (mostly illegal in the EU as she went out side to Turkish Northern Cyprus and I since discovered we have no way of finding any information about the egg donor if the children need it in the future) - but the behaviour since the day after our marriage has been unusual to say the least and now I am not allowed a part of my children's lives. I am a partner in my own company and work from home most of the time and think I could more than look after the children myself in the UK, and pay for help when needed. How do I go about gaining custody in the UK - she is resident in the UAE( Dubai)?
I had no parental rights as I was not on her birth certificate. I have recently been placed on her birth certificate & now have parental rights.
I have always maintained a consistent healthy relationship with my daughter. Who now want to live with me. Her Aunty & mother have no resistance & approve of this. How do I get custody & what are my options?
I have just had her for the last week and over the last few months there have been things happening that i believe to be a form of neglect. 1 hair not being brushed properly 2. Toe nails not being cut 3. Her mother told me recently that she had a sore ear and sent her to nursery when i had her this week i took her to the doctors as she was still complaining of the ear and she has 2 inner ear infections which i have sorted 4. She has never been taken to a dentist 5. Turns up in clothes too small for her. I have contacted social services and they agree it is neglect. Just wondering wether this will help me get full custody
He's mum said it was best he came to live with me, he wanted to live with me and never wanted to go home,
So me and my partner have sorted everything out got him into a new school, and things was good, he goes to he's mum's every other weekend and everytime he's coming home he's starting making out he's I'll, then today he tried telling me he ain't coming home and that he was calling child line saying I threatened to punch him and crap like that, I went to he's mum's today and took him to the police station,
They have told him he needs to come back with me and that we should talk with the school, don't no what to do,
He's starting to tell lies and stuff,
Any help would be great,
thank you
George
It turned 14:00..social worker..health visitor turned up today but NOOO translator!!
How am I able to get sole custody of my son..and custody from the same unprofessional social workers and health visitors that HAVE made numberious of UNPROFESSIONAL MISTAKES such as-
*Providing me with an incorrect contact number!!
*Weeks after I obtained the CORRECT contact number..I rang..left voice mail messages..texts to the same correct social workers contact number but NEVER got a reply!!
*The health visitor CANCELLED a HOME VISIT appointment herself!!
*TWO weeks later..I was and merely ASKED the health visitor..when WOULD YOU be making another appointment for a home visit to see and weigh my son as you called the previous one?? She walked off saying "I can't deal with this"!!
*THREE weeks LATER..the same health visitor NEVER called me or posted out a NEW appointment for my son!!
If the professional authorities CAN NOT act OROFESSIONAL enough..WHO or WHERE does one turn to??
Please could someone or anyone HELP ME??!!
Thanks
A.H
Later on, one year before the child current passport is about to expire, I inform him about that we need to get his written consent from the consulate of my country located in Singapore, so I get a new passport for our daughter. At this point, he decides to cut off any contacts with us and not answer to anything when I try to ask for his consent further.
He clearly made me understand that his wish is to not be in touch with his daughter at all and to not participate to her bringing up in any way. Since my daughter was born, in 6 years, her biological father showed up in her life only 30 days and he was never present to any of her birthdays.
To be mentioned that, in the mean time, with my British husband I have an infant child of our own and my daughter found in my current husband the 'father that any child would love to have'.
However, the current laws on immigration makes me wait 5 years before I get to be a permanent resident in UK and access citizenship or ILR. My daughter and I live in UK by own means and our permanent residency is the one from our home (EU) country, here we are considered as temporary.
Does anyone can answer what steps I have to follow in order to ask the Court to rule in the best interest of my 6 yrs old child, and grant to me, her mother, all the power to represent her legally, and at the same time to keep her biological father not involved at all as he wishes?! My daughter spent most of her life in UK, she cannot digest the existence of another father in her life -except my British husband, speaks only English (not EU country of birth native language at all), was always in school in UK, and with a British half-brother that she never spent any day apart since this little one was born?
To what Court am I entitled to ask for Justice on behalf of my 6 years old daughter, without even disturbing her good life?! Is it possible to access the Courts from Scotland (I live there) on this matter? Or I have to access the Courts from my home count
baisically my partner a 7month old baby and has been through some really bad times with the mother. They ended about 8 months ago but was confusion on her behalf and she thought they was still togehter even tho he was with me.
When she found out she refused him to see his daughter and made out that he was a useless dad. He didnt see hisbdaughter for about 3 months.. he decided to do everything she askes.. regular money transactions that are way out of his pay check legue, not back chatting her and not comenting on what she does with his child during all this he was getting abusive sickening and threatning messages of her new boy friend witch he didnt respond to.
just a few weeks ago he eventually managed to see his daughter.. he seen her once a week witch he was more then happy with also she lives a while away so its a struggle to get there.. last week she found out me and him are still together.m she snatched the baby off him and tried to argue and throw him out of her house whilst spending time with his child. When he arrived home deverstated him had on going phone calls and messages saying he has to choose between me and his daughter.. obviously he chose his child but she wasnt happy with that and she has told him his not alloud to see her anymore.. she has a problem with the fact he has moved on as i dont have no contact with her whats so ever. We are now both getting sickenig and threatening messages off her boyfriend telling us about our lives snd what he will do to family members. Its gone past a joke. Also she has said previous that his isnt the father when everything was happening also he isnt on the birth certificate and she claims she said that because she was angry. please help
Breakdown of a short marriage. We have a 1 year old child. His mother won't allow me access on my own with my him as I may "kidnap" him. Can only see him if she is there and on her terms. Even tho she took him from our family home with the help of the police (which I find disgusting) after I caught her cheating. We sadly argue when I see him as tensions are high and will remain high. I've requested numerous times to take him to the park etc on my own as I don't want him around that toxic environment but my requests get rejected all the time.
She holds all the cards and I'm have no idea where to turn.
I have been fined and had court appearances due to his mother not sending him to school which is something I have no control over , his School regular leaves messages on my phone which are of concern. For some time I agreed to pay an amount of money each week towards his care but it seemed my money was wasted so I have stopped doing this now. Would this go against me or could I get a 50/50 custody.
His mother does not work and has no interest in working, and most of the time my son is not at home he is either at one of her friends or a family members. I am told he is
Sometimes in pubs and his mother likes to spend her time drinking a lot. I feel powerless and worried sick for my little boy. Any Advice would be helpful.
Is there a way to ask him to grant me sole custody without dragging the kids through a drawn out court case?
Much appreciated in this matter
We have a case running in the Indian court for divorce..
My wife don't have the custodian rights of my daughter..
She always threats me that she will take my daughter to abroad and will let happen that I can't see my daughter again
As per my lawyer, if we put the custody case then also being a female child I can't get the custody..
My wants to run away with my daughter to her brother staying in UK.,
Can my wife along with my daughter get the visa for the UK on the sponsorship of my wife's brother???
They both have the passport , my wife and my daughter also , can they get the visa for UK and can they settle over there???
Plz help!!!!
His dad is always putting girls befor our son swearing on my sons life about stuff and lying about it I've worked it out he's looked after my son altogether a year max with him inculding the time we was together we broke up a year ago he never did anythink for him never brought or paid for anythink he's gone for his dad with my son there and his sister had to remove my son from the room, he's shouted and screamed in my face while I was holding holding my son because he was shouting that much he scard the living hell out of him (heal was 3 at the time) he's just got off bail for criminal damage to his exs house and then he put holes in my wall (while he was still on bail he put my house as a bail address so I through he had to stay here) I told the police but they didn't do anythink but record it and then he almost broke my wrist the other day getting my phone off me because I was ringing the police becuase he wouldn't leave after we had a full blow argument to the point I was backed in a corner in the house with him screaming in my face He didn't leave for a week after that I couldn't ring the police as I was to scared to and now I've been told I've felt it to late when ever he's not with his new girlfriend he's constantly messaging and texting me I've blocked his number but now he's ringing on an unknown number and the whole 6 years we was togther he'd stopped me talking and seeing my freinds and family hed blackmailed me alot
Confused!!!!
My daughter lives with me and her father has recently moved back to France. He doesn't know when he will be back in the UK but thinks it will be at least a year. He is not reliable and doesn't contribute anything to her financially, I am a midwife, homeowner and happily settled with my partner of three years.
I would like to apply for sole custody but know her father will not respond to any legal paperwork, in fact I don't even have his address.
I would love some advice.
Many thanks
Can I go to court against him to file for sole custody
Also my ex partner is not on the birth certificate as he refused to show up
I have custody of our daughter until the final judgment in Canada.
My partner does not wish t pay any benefits as he is paying for our daughter's travels.
I am fine with this, but I do not agree on the amounts he claims he is spending on the travel arrangements and I do not agree that after the paperworks are signed that the case will stay in Canada (which he wants) We no longer have solicitors and due to the time this case has taken (my partner has changed several times on what he wants as he first asked custody, then changed his mind!) Now I would like to know because I have had my daughter with me for almost 3 years now, can I assume that I have full custody or do I still need to get a solicitor here?
When my husband and I got divorced I had a drinking problem and Social Services said my Youngest Son, (who is now thirteen) should live with his Dad, in Paris.
My Ex-husband died 6 years a go.
So my Youngest Son went to live with his Aunt and Uncle.
As my son has started growing up, they have slowly turned him against me.
When his Aunt & Uncle are coming to visit England they won't tell me when.
Then they'll visit family. Except for me.
They won't even let me speak to him when I call France. They have turned him against me and cut me out of his life.
How do I get my son back ?
He has two other children and his eldest daughter has been saying nasty things about me on social media.
I'm not saying he can't see his daughter but I have 2 terms of conditions he has to give reasonable notice and his eldest daughter will not be with him.
Would I be able to get full legal custody to support this.
I very desperate mum
I have a son in the army ,based in Germany he married a Canadian girl ,they are now separated , she is now living back in Canada with his two children , and is asking him to sort out the paperwork giving her full custody, he is willing to do this but at the moment is unable to do this because of work commitments . Is it just a matter of signing a legal document drawn up by a solicitor which can be done via email or by post via a solicitor .
His mother picks my son up every Friday so that his dad can see him but he's never there. He'd rather be somewhere with his new partner and his friends having parties and such. I now would much rather just his gran see him instead of my son not seeing any of that side of his family.
Can I apply for full custody due to his father neglecting to be involved?
I get no financial support from him and he refuses to go find a job to help support his son.
I've come to my wits end and I need this stress to be over so me and my son can continue with our lives.
There is historical and current mental issues and she has recently broken up with her partner due to her being domestically vilant. We have tryed to reasion. Please help what do we do next and what are our rights?
Also, he's not paying csa on time, or this month not at all.
I've tried everything to be mutual and nothing is working. I hate seeing the kids upset but my eldest won't part from my side. She won't even stay with my parents now which is extremely unusual
Please and how I do this ??
And tip staff have lost my passports they were meant to be returned over a year ago what can I do?
I have one quick question
I am going to take my ex partner to court for custody of our son due to unhealthy living conditions but
When applying to court would it be joint custody with myself being the main carer
Or will I go for full custody with he ex partner having visitation rights (6days out of 14) she would have which is more than most men ever get
She won't agree to the arrangements, do I still need mediation if I go for full custody?
I am on the Birth cert but we have never married, my son was born in 2004.
Your advice is much appreciated
Cookie
I have 3 young children 3,4,6 all with the same mother we split last October the mum had an affair she was living with me in Nottingham till January then I decided to move out and live with my mother, she moved out off the family home to her hometown of Wakefield this is also where her new partner lives (30yr old with no children 3rd story flat only 2 bedroom) since she has been living in Wakefield with the 3 children she has been referred to social services numerous times for numerous reasons, more recently the Wakefield social services told me that my children have been put on an at risk register from Child protection there has been a conference, I never got an invite despite asking I'm also still awaiting the minutes of the meeting and the child protection plan. The social worker has told me that what she is doing to the children has gone down as "neglect". What I need to know is will I stand a good chance of getting full custody if I was too apply at court?
Well after a year my anger has subsided, my 3 year old doesn't remember his dad but wants to see him, but my 6 year old doesn't want to see him and he doesn't really have a reason, just says he doesn't want to go. I applied for mediation at Christmas and I went but their father didn't and it doesn't look like he will go to mediation.
I am finding it really hard sticking to my guns to ensure we go down the formal route of mediation and court if neccesary because it lays heavy on my heart especially as I think the children would benefit from seeing him as long as he was reliable, responsible and out the children first. I need someone else to tell me what to do :(
But once she got them back things went down hill, everytime social services get involved she ups her game n things improve but soon as they ease off things go back to bad.
I have a SGO for my 2 nieces is it possible that in years to come the mother can regain custody if she sorts her life out? Because after 7 years in court she has now agreed by consent but didn't agree to treashold so does she have grounds to say well there was no good reason in the first place ? And can I l let the children be known under different surnames in school not officially changing there surname ? Thanks
I am now thinking of applying for the custody of my children. Pls advise of my chances on getting custody and how to go about the custody application. Thanks
Where do I stand in terms of court
I am a 16 year old who is seperated from my ex partner also 16, wee have a 3 week old baby who currently lives with my mother and father who have been placed as kinship carers.
My ex partner has ongoing issues with social worker's and is currently waiting on a place in residential care along with my daughter for 6 weeks .
What would my chances be of getting joint custody when my daughter goes back to stay with her mother?
divorced 5 yrs and have a daughter aged 10yrs.
50/50 custody sharing with a everyother day and everyother weekend pattern. We live 19 miles distance from each other.
My daughters school, day care etc near me.
My ex who pays the min maintanance, refuses to buy any uniform, doesnt pay for sport clubs of hobbies or anything to do with school. He does pay 50% of day care costs in the term time.
He now wants to change 2 tuesdays a month to have the evenings with his girlfriend. I have agreed to this in exchange for the dates he will cover in the school holidays. He will not given any information ref what 50% he will cover for any of the holidays in 2015. leaving me in a situation where i cannot even book day care as I dont know where she will be
Since 14 Jan 2015 when he made his demand that I change, he has now uincreased the demands to changing all week days. He wants me to have custody every mon, tues he wants my daughter every wed thurs, and we share everyother weekend.
I can not do this as a nurse I need to work bank holidays and would not be able to get child care.
So he increased the demand, to me collecting my daughter from day care on the days I do not have custody and delivering her 19 miles every other day and in the mornings I do not have custody i have to travel 19 miles to pick her up and drop her to day care before school, all before I work full time.
I have received abusive threatening text messages bullying me to give in to his demands. I've received a solicitors letter on 31/1/15 and without giving me chance to reply I have had the phonecall from medication and he has attended court and continued to send intrusive messages. He has also contacted my family sister and dad who I even dont have contact with and my daughter has been speaking with them via multimedia.
My ex is very manipulative and put my daughter at risk by leaving her own her own aged 7 and giving a known convicted paedofile contact with my daughter aged 8 (his dad) when asked not to because he needed his dad to buy him a washing machine and fridge.
will a judge this these demands are unreasonable when ive actually agreed to have my daughter 2 evenings a month so he can develop a new relationship.
I also helped him for 14 months dropping my daughter off at day care prior to schhol everyday as he wanting to start work early. I'm heart broken it will go to court.
I cannot be dictated to like this. He left the marriage yet he still has control over me please help
My gf has split up with me and has decided to settle permanently in South Africa where we initially went for a family holiday and ended up having an argument. She has our 2 yr old son with her and has stopped taking my calls and severed all contact with me. I know her address in SA and wanted to know how and in which country can I apply for my child's custody and contact order considering my gf lives out of the UK. We are British citizens and were resident in the UK before our split up. I will appreciate any help and guidance. Thanks
How do I go about it?
after a nine year relationship. We have had are ups and downs and arguing over whats best for are girls aged 4 and 7. Now the social services are involved through my ex smacking the youngest that hard it left a hand print on her face. I have tried my hardest now I have the girls for this time to try and get full custody to stop the girls going back into that situation again. I have had to do more hours 8n work cause my ex has been claiming their benefits even tho I have had they girls for the past 8 weeks since this has happened. I just looking for advice on my situation or help at this time.
my ex always seems to be ill, and this pattern seems to now be occurring with in my daughter, at First she was having stomach pains, which seemed to disappear when the school wrote to my ex to say she cant have any more time off. Now she has ankle pain that appears to be worse off while she is with her mom. This my daughter say's is bad the docs have given her three types of pain killers, but when she is with me it doesn't seem that bad.
would i have a case to go for custody, i am aware of the implications the process will have on my daughter. But feel that if she is to get anywhere in life maybe she would be better with me
My question is that I love my daughters and i wanted to take full custody over them. What is the possibility of this happening? My wife has no family over her and has no one to assist her, while i have my mother which i can call at anytime and she is more than willing to take care of my children. if i apply for a divorce and what will be the outcome of the verdict? could anyone help and let me know asap, thanks.
Anymil
Thank you lots
Reny
and had our first child in England,
we moved over to Greece set up home there ran her Fathers resturant, our second
child came along who was born in Greece. I now have to stay home do the scool run take care of the
Children ( house husband) while my wife works at the resturant
My wife as now asked for a Divorce i don't wont to stay in
Greece once Divorce proceedings start all my family are in England i don't no anyone in Greece,
How would Child Custody work for me?..Please help am at my wits end.. Thanks Jackson
Michael then met a girl on Facebook who lived in Blackpool . so came up regularly to see her . he seen jaiden for a couple times he came up but that started t change . Michael had told me that his girlfriends was violent and aggressive and she told me herself that she had given Michael a black eye. so i refused him to bring her around my child if she was as violent as this she also threatened to kick my unborn baby out of me . He then started to not bother with our son and hasn't seen him since 31.12.11.
yesterday i received a solicitor letter in the post telling me to go to court that Michael had made an app for a contact order. now to me this is ridiculous my child doesn't know Michael as his dad. he's walked past his own son in the street and not stopped to say hello or to see how he is! my child's a human not a toy not something you can throw away and come and pick it up when you feel like it . i'm thinking to g full custody of my child, jaiden already has the stability in his life and people around him that care. what do people think i should do that would be best ???
Basically I do not want this person in our child's life he is not a good role model
I fear my own life
i have just been emailed telling me she has found a way of removing me from the birth certificate? i have searched the net and found nothing ,apart from taking me to court and having a court dna test done,pointless if you ask me shes all me,now the reason for all of this,
1.i am in another relationship with a completly different person to my ex
2.she was told i was doing drugs still yes i did in the past 2 yrs ago but this is the present now im quite an anti person to drugs now i see the damage it causes.
she has been in court last yr for criminal damage and still smokes cannibis like it goes out of fashion
where do i stand in all of this i own my home have my own business i could go for full cutody for my daughter but i dont want her dragged through the courts, she also has a sister who is not mine what damage it cause to her if i did have custody im so lost and confussed and fill so sorry for my daughter to be in this situation, what should i do first please help as this not doing me any good worrying
kind Regards for your help
My 18 year old brother has recently been charged with a crime and is looking at time. Social services have taken his 2 month old baby off of her mother and is currently being looked after elsewhere as she has been deemed unfit. I am 21. Have a well paying job, my own place and have no criminal record and have always been a straight A student through the years. I dont want my neice going out of the family to foster care when i know i could provide a better life for her with me. Is there anyway i can apply for custody and if so how do i go about doing so? Thanks
Anyway in early/mid February my ex's mother had rang social services stating there was domestic abuse from myself towards my ex which simply was not the case, that day social services arrived on my door informing me that the complaint had been made and advised my ex to move to her mothers and to take my beautiful daughter of 1year, i wasn't allowed to see my daughter for a week because my ex kept saying she didn't feel 'confident' with me looking after my own flesh and blood, i cannot remember the amount of days and nights I've spent crying through missing my little girl so much, to make things worse after about three/four weeks my ex cancelled her half of the joint tenancy on the house making me homeless, fortunately my mother and step father were there to provide shelter for me, the contact I've had with my daughter was two days a week and started at 3hours a week (1hour 1/2 each day), then 6hours a week (3hours each day) and now its currently at 12hours a week (6hours each day), I'm desperate for more time with my little girl , i recently requested for an extension of my time with my daughter from 9am - 6pm (9hours each day) and without a reason i was denied. I love my daughter with all my heart and soul there is nothing i wouldn't do for her, and without her it would simply destroy me, and i don't want to cry anymore, my ex has done to much damage to me, when all I've wanted is peace between us, and fairness in seeing my little girl.
I'm stuck, i don't know what to do, i need help, please contact me with some information that will help me, my little girl deserves a fantastic daddy and that's exactly what i am, and I'm willing to prove that to anyone who questions it.
Thank you
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