Rights of a Single Patent

[user1496940061]

Hi All

I'm looking for advice please as I will soon to be a single Dad.

I'm currently going through a separation and once the family house is sold. I will have my own place and have the children 50% of the time.

I have heard and read some concerning tales and therefor I have some questions that I'm hoping some of you can help with.

Do I lose any rights by being a single parent ?
Will the Mom have more responsibility and control?
Can the children be registered at 2 addresses ?
If they are registered at the Moms, does that give her more responsibility and control?

Any other advice & support is greatly welcomed

Thanks for reading and thanks in advance for the advice

My error - should have been title - Rights of a Single Parent

Are you on the birth certificate? If you are then you automatically have Parental Responsibility.
Will one of you claim child benefit?
The children can't be registered at 2 addresses but if you need to split tax credits/child benefit (and you're both eligible) then you could claim for one child and register them at your address and she could do the same for the other child at her address.
The main reason why address may matter is state education. In England, how close you live to school is often a major factor to getting a place and if parents disagree on schooling then how many overnights during the school week and who claims child benefit is sometimes used.

Thanks for your reply

Yes I am a named on it.
We currently claim child benefit - I will probably pass this to Ex to help her financially.

I would strongly recommend that you split the child benefit - IE: you both claim child benefit for one child. If your ex claims for both then your ex will be regarded as the "main" parent.

Thanks for that advice
I will do that.

Is the 50% access a done deal? I would be keen to have a memorandum of understanding drawn up to formalised it.

You should have parental responsibility.

Maybe arrange some mediation to address the issues that are worrying you. They can help you draft a parenting agreement.

For legal and financial purposes it is overnights rather than number of hours that "count". If there's likely to be conflict about schooling, it is best to ensure that you have the kids 50% of school nights too.

We will share over nights 50/50
As we are sharing - is child maintenance payable ?

No maintenance would be due.

Thanks for all your answers - very helpfull and reassuring

Hi Mandaremandy

How / where do I find a memorandum of understanding?
Does this need to be filled with a solicitor ?
Thanks

How old are the children

Do you both work or does one of you SAH to care for the DC

I'm full time and ex works 4days per week

Kids are in school and nursery

So a memorandum of understanding is drawn up between two people who want to semi-formalise an agreement. It isn't legally binding, but can be presented in court to be formalised.

You could also use a parenting agreement -

www.cafcass.gov.uk/media/242635/parenting_plan_progress_summary_interactive.pdf

Thanks MandateMandy
This is very helpful

Sign the petition please! Let's make a change for single parents! www.change.org/p/parliament-more-punishment-for-parents-who-walk-away-from-their-children?recruiter=751929544&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=sms&utm_campaign=share_sms_responsive