When can I stop court ordered communication?

[Gamtanner]

I've posted before about the fact there's a Court Order in place that allows my ex-h indirect contact only with our children. I have to write him a regular update about their welfare and he writes to them. They don't reply and don't want contact.

When can I stop sending these updates? When they are 16? Or will I have to apply to the court to get the order stopped/varied?

[3xcookedchips]

If there is a court order, only the court can vary the order.

You will have to make an application and explain why its in the children's interest to have no contact with the other parent and why you should no longer be sending updates?

How old are the kids?

[Gamtanner]

They are early teens. I was hoping once they were 16 they had the right to decide for themselves.

[ZilphasHatpin]

Is it via email? I would make up a Template email stating they are all well and have it scheduled to be sent every month automatically (or whatever the frequency you have to abide by is) so you don't have to think about it anymore. End it when they are 16 and leave it up to him to take you back to court to have it re-ordered. I really can't see a judge ordering you to write an update for them once they are 16.

[Gamtanner]

It's via post as he has previously harassed us via email necessitating a change of email address I then kept private.

Yes, I think i might stop when they are 16 then and take my chances again in court. Surely at some point they have the right to privacy even if he is their dad.

[prh47bridge]

In general contact orders cease to apply once the child reaches the age of 16. If the children don't want any contact with their father you could apply to the court to have contact stopped. In general, the older your children are the more attention the court will pay to their wishes.