Possible relocation to another country - father refuses to give address

[medusa83]

Hi all
Myself, DH and 2 children (12 and 8) are considering moving to another country (non-EU) - for 3 years - where I have family links. I am a teacher and will be applying for jobs in International schools - so the children will have a paid-for excellent education.

My DH is not the biological father to my children - the father and I split up 6 years ago for various reasons. The background is complicated but basically he hasn't seen them in 2 years (although he has turned up twice and been quite aggressive). There is no court order.

As we need his permission to go, I have texted him to ask for his address. He will not reply or give his address as he also refuses to pay maintenance, and, I think, is worried that I'll inform the new CSA where he lives. TBH I wrote off getting any maintenance off years ago and recently cancelled the arrears and didn't sign up to the new system (I'd have to pay £20 for the privilege of never getting a penny).

What can I do? If he refuses to give his address (if he has one - he may be sofa surfing), not only can I not send a letter for him to sign (although he will refuse/lives a life so dysfunctional he will never be able to post the letter back), but this also means that if I go to court for a "leave to remove" order, they will not be able to deliver any paperwork either.

Does anyone have any advice?

Thanks

I’d imagine if you demonstrate he’s removed himself from your lives and you’ve made efforts to contact him without success you’ll get the court on side. I would imagine that will require more than one text message though (have you got an email address? Could you post a letter to his last known address? are you able to contact any of his family? What about social media?)

I know where his Mum lives - so could send a letter there, but would that be enough? Could he claim he didn't receive it?

If he ignores your letter you will still have to get a court order.

Write to him c/o his mother, then issue. Ultimately the court will give directions for what constitutes good service.

Send it signed for. Give him x days to respond.

Thanks all.
I was hoping to do this without it costing a bomb, but clearly that won't happen!

Can anyone suggest a good family relocation lawyer in South Bucks?