Changing a court order re custody

[Sofie19]

Hi

My ex and I were in court a couple of years ago re custody.
Ultimately he didn't get what he wanted and so now he is coming back for another try. He will argue things are very different, I will argue the current order should stay.
Please tell me the process and where I should spend/save. Last time I spent probably 20k as I got the solicitor/barrister to do it but I don't want to spend that much.

From memory, there was a decision hearing and then as we didn't agree we were in court for a final hearing a few months later. I had a barrister for both so should I only have one for the final hearing? But what happens if I get pushed around at a decision hearing? Our area has the new pathway in place to try and make things quicker.

Thank you.

What's the current arrangement and what is the proposed change? How old are the DC?

Current is eow fri-mon and weds for tea during school time + half of school holidays.
Proposal is 6 nights a fortnight so 3 overnights during the school week. Child is now 6. Aged 4 and at school when order was put in

I think hes being reasonable tbh

What's your argument against his proposal?

Why is it not ok to have more equal contact? If it is purely because you want more time with dc or anything to do with money then judges take a dim view. There needs to be a good reason why you can’t move towards 50/50 for child arrangements to stay unequal

Do you live near each other?
I don't think it's worth spending thousands on a barrister for something you probably won't win.

As others have said, what is the basis for your refusal to agree the change?

you will have to have a very strong child centric reason for it else it’s most likely going to be a hard fought out battle if he’s resolute in wanting the change

If the Wednesday tea was overnight then you’d be at 5 days a fortnight - pretty close to what he wants. Is mediation an option? Offer the additional Wed overnight and agree to review again in a year or two?

Why are you resisting the change?

A lot of money when it doesn’t sound unreasonable at all

Crikey.

Why crikey?

I think it’s because we’re meant to say “oh hun!!! What a bastard he is wanting to see his child!! Your bubz your rulez!!!” ?

What he's proposing doesn't sound unreasonable. Why are you against it.

I’m going to be honest OP, unless there are extenuating circumstances (which I doubt considering the amount of contact the court have approved already) you have next to no chance of avoiding 50/50 if he wants it.

As your child is young, the court will approve more contact in stages (so he’s likely to get what he wants or at least more this time around) until you eventually get to 50/50 if he carries on pursuing it. You’ll be better off saving your money and working this out between you.