Custody? Bit complicated.

[somanymiles]

Do courts automatically award joint custody these days? If I wanted sole custody what would the courts take into account? And would that mean I could leave the country with my DS to join my other two children abroad who are living with ex? (If he wins battle to take them back abroad after being in UK for 2 years?)

custody is now called residency. No it is not automatically joint custody. And Taking Ds abroad to live would most liky need the consent of the other parent.

If you're not in court for child matters there is no need to go. In fact if you're not in court for child matters you need to do your best to make sure that you don't go to court.

It's a last resort, not a first. Have you tried addressing the issues in your post with your DS' father?