Child sharing arrangements

[neitherleftnorright]

A friend of mine has split up with his partner who is the mother of his two children. They are not married. The split was somewhat acrimonious but they still have contact because of the children. They have arguments about childcare arrangements and the amount he is paying towards them. He has just received an inheritance and so has more money than usual. The mother is now blackmailing him by saying she will stop the children seeing seeing him at all if he doesn't pay more maintenance. He is heartbroken about this as he is a devoted father but he obviously doesn't want to give in to the blackmail.

I have some knowledge of family law and I have told him to go to litigation and get a court order. Is this the best way forward? Thanks for any help.

Mediation and if that doesn't work then needs a court order. He can represent himself in both

No more talking.
Straight to a C100 and court.
He'll need mediation.

He wants a lives with both order.

I cannot abide people who use their children to blackmail, he needs to not communicate about money, go to see a solicitor asap & mediation initially then if needed after this, court. But be prepared, she may start making allegations if she has no scruples, be wary of this. Try and get an agreement before court. You have to go to mediation first anyway. Keep focussing on the children all the way through.

Well she may have a point that he can pay more. But she should be pursuing this via CMS or the courts. Not by withholding access.

CMS can be based on large amounts of capital. It is assumed this can generate income.

This is true. Any savings over £32k are assumed to generate 8% income, which he is assessed on. However if they share equal care neither pays the other anything.

Thank you so much to you all for your helpful advice which is much appreciated.

I will update this thread when I have anything to report but at the moment of course, it is early days. I spoke to him today and he has decided to represent himself in court which is a good thing as hopefully, the judge will realise how genuine he is.

I would scrap mediation and just go straight for a C100 form and also the copy of her blackmailing him about keeping his kids from him if he doesn't it more maintenance...that will go a long way with the judge ..the courts only look out for the child's best interest so that fact that the mother is using his children against him with blackmail they will come down hard on her