Does contact always increase at final hearing?

[Gilbertgrapes]

Due in court next week.

I want everything to stay the same as DC is settled after a difficult year. Ex currently have them 4 nights per fortnight.

Does contact always increase at the final hearing?

No one can answer thst every matter is different

It’s very dependent on the individual circumstances. What does the Cafcass officer recommend? Are there any safeguarding concerns when in the care of your ex? What do the children want? How far apart are the parents in the level of contact they each want?
If Cafcass have done a section 7 report, then the court will put a fairly heavy weighting on their recommendations, but can deviate from them if they want to. You need to have very clear reasons as to why your proposals are in the best interests of the child/ren. It’s definitely worth spending some time looking at The Welfare Checklist and framing your reasoning around this when you’re writing your statement (especially if you’re representing yourself).

What have cafcass recommended?
My cafcass officer recommend every other weekend and one midweek night every week. So 4 nights every 2 weeks. The judge agreed with me that it should be every other weekend and one midweek night every other week, so 3 nights every 2 weeks. My barrister was surprised that the judge went less than recommended, apparently it isn't common. My barrister tried to convince me before that I should just agree with cafcass, I refused and said I would continue with what I thought was best. But shows what my ex was like in court, absolutely showed his true self.

UK courts favour 50/50. How old is the child? How badly behaved is the ex? Lots of context missing here

Does ex want them more?

DC is KS1 and happy with things as they are (4 nights per fortnight). Ex wants 50/50.

CAFCASS report didn’t really specify an arrangement, it was wishy washy.

Ex has behaved very poorly throughout.

Ex's poor behaviour- that really is what makes a difference. Cafcass not recommending is strange, they have been very, very clear in their reports with people I know, including mine. Unless behaviour has directly affected the chikdren and is clearly evidenced by third parties... it is hard to not be aware 50/50. I hope it goes your way.