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Original poster

Can my family take me to court to see my children

106 replies

godfreyfour · 05/03/2025 13:16

I have a very toxic mum and sister who I cut contact with many years ago.
I've since married and had 3 children 1, 5 and 7 who have never met them or heard anything about them we and don't live in the area.
We have dh family and the children have loving grandparents/cousins and extended family on his side.

I've always been very discrete on social media blocking anyone I didn't want to see me and keeping profiles private but it appears to have got back to them and that I have children, they've contacted me through a third party to insist I allow them to meet my children which I've declined and now the message relayed to me is that they'll see me in court because I'm preventing them from meeting grandchildren children/niece/nephews which they think they have a right to.

Are they likely to be able to have contact with my children who are completely unaware of these people and without me as I don't want any contact with them?
I really don't want to have to spend a fortune on legal fees just to keep life as it is.

OP posts:
SilenceInside · 05/03/2025 13:26

This might be useful:

https://www.elitelawsolicitors.co.uk/rights-of-grandparents/

They would need to seek permission for a Child Arrangements Order from the court before being able to pursue this further. With absolutely no contact and a long term estrangement, and no attempt at mediation, they are likely to be refused permission.

Original poster
godfreyfour · 05/03/2025 13:24

I really hope they can't, I feel quite blindsided by this as it's been over 10 years since we've had contact and as far as I was concerned that was the end of it.

OP posts:
Twinty2 · 05/03/2025 13:21

The only one I have heard of when a grandparent were given access through the court was when the child’s mother had sadly died and the father was refusing contact. The grandparents had a relationship with the child beforehand. I doubt it’s likely when there is no relationship between the child.

Wakeywake · 05/03/2025 13:20

They can take you to court for any reason they fancy but they've not got a chance in hell of winning.

Nameftgigb · 05/03/2025 13:19

Absolutely not. They don’t have a relationship with them. Don’t even worry about it

harijes · 05/03/2025 13:18

Short answer is no. You would be best to post in legal for detailed advice.