Courts and 13 year olds

[Swl123]

After a bit of advise please 🙏🏻 I have a 13 year old son who has had no contact with his dad for 5 years. He has not tried to get in contact at all. I would like to receive the child maintenance but I’m worried he would take it to court for contact out of spite and I know my child would not want to see him. Is it a huge risk to do this. Would the court listen to a 13 year old

Yes they will listen to the child. I think it’s unlikely the court will order contact with a parent who has been absent for 5 years, the child will barely even know them.

Don't let this hold you back. Nobody will force him to see his father at that age.

My dd was 13 when her dad started trying to get back in contact with her she told the courts she's no keen and that was that. Dad has been granted supervised contact with the younger boys but waiting for the contact centre to have space atm so don't really know thier views yet