I got a Notice of Proceedings for a variation of CAO , and I had no idea there was a deadline of when I should respond. I’ve just read it again and it says 14 days from day of issue. Or from postmark on envelope. There was no postmark on envelope ... and I could see an obvious date until I got to the last page.
I feel so traumatised by attending court and having ongoing conflict with my abusive ex who Cafcass said I have to co-parent with... that I have been really torn as to how to respond to the Notice. Hence why I haven’t yet. I now see it is over the 14 days... what are the consequences of this? Should I contact court on Monday and apologise?
Looks like I will be representing myself and I have felt very overwhelmed with parenting DD throughout summer holidays, trying to work and very stressed about my ex making the Court application.
He told me in subtle terms in an email that if I was to take my concerns to court that he will ask for more time with DD and he threatened “things will not go how you want them to, just like last time”. So I have been scared to tick the box saying “domestic abuse” or bring it in front of the court because I don’t want him to accuse me of alienation or paint me as a bitter ex like he did last time,, and for me to have DD places to live with him and taken away from me. My concerns were of him behaving abusively to DD as he she has reported this on a few occasions over the last few months - As well as when she was 2 & 3 years old- but she has said “daddy has stopped now” since police spoke to ex about it)
He is taking me back to court for more time her anyway and to remove parts of the court order which mean she has indirect contact with me when she’s with him.
I’m kind of just frozen / sticking my head in the sand / not sure how to proceed which is why I didn’t respond yet. I kind of didn’t want to make things worse between us or for DD. I didn’t want to make a battle but I also want to voice my concerns because they are real concerns. But I don’t want more conflict or to anger him and this won’t be good for DD either.
Cafcass emailed me and said I should confirm my details with them - I sent an email back confirming details but I’ve heard nothing. 😖
What should I do ? Thank you