How often shall he see them?

[TheSituation]

I'm due to move out of London in a few weeks, literally over 100 miles away. Only place available by the council, ex also lives in London.

So my question is, those of you who live far away from ex, how often does he see the children? And do you take the children to him?

Guess everyone's asleep 😁

Hi I’m awake but I’m afraid I have no experience of your situation. 100 miles is hardly an afternoon or pop in. It’s obviously going to make contact difficult. Hopefully when they all wake up you’ll get some decent advise!

Thanks puffy,** I know it will make contact difficult but I've got no other option unfortunately.

Its a shame that's the only place the council have for you, I don't think I'd feel comfortable living that far away due to the contact I'd feel guilty. Are you going to be homeless?

Doesn't he have to agree to you moving his children such a distance?

It's up to him how often he sees them, and NO you don't take them to visit him! Too expensive, and not fair on the DC to drag them all that way! He will have to travel and maybe stay in a Travelodge overnight.

No, beingsunny, he doesnt. Only if she wanted to take them out of the court's jurisdiction ie abroad

Usually on these threads people say the person who moved is responsible for doing the traveling.

Have you talked to him about it?

Thanks @Singlenotsingle I'm not in the UK anymore. I know here there is a moving limit of 70km and then you have to apply for permission through the courts.

Well he obviously won't be able to have them on an evening during school time so I guess every other weekend and half the holidays. Not sure on who has to take them/pick them up though. Generally people would say the person who has moved, but if it isn't by choice maybe you could split it?

The courts normally decide that the person who moved is the one who must facilitate contact.

There are exceptions, but that is the standard.

Due to the distance I believe that every other weekend (after school Friday until Sunday afternoon) and half holidays would be what the courts suggest. If you can agree to one of you doing one journey and the other doing the other journey that would probably be best although because you have moved away if you went to court (if your ex didn’t agree to this proposal) you would have to do both journeys.

He could try and prevent OP moving with a prohibited steps order so that would be something to bear in mind.

OP isn't moving through choice though, is she? The only council property she is being offered is 100 miles away. And chances are that if she has the DC living with her, money will be tight. Maybe things have moved on since I worked in family law, but the courts always used to say the children should not be obliged to travel long distances and the non resident parent would have to do the travelling.

Why 100 miles is that not a different council from which u applyed and the only council house they can give u is 100 miles did u not say this was to far for child contact with dad I would be questioning somebody's decision on that unless there is other issues but