xH ~ preventing me from moving away

[ShortAndStripySolsticer]

Does anyone know how likely it is that xH will succeed in preventing me from moving away with the children, if we go to court?

The solicitor I saw briefly mentioned that he can apply to stop me moving out of the area if he chooses. The thought fills me with dread as I've never settled here, know pretty much no-one here the children have no friends or family structure here and I would prefer to move nearer to my family and friends and to an area with better schools, etc.

Does anyone know how long these things tend to take to get to court? I would definitely consider moving before he had the chance to take me to court TBH.

He won't. Courts don't do this. I think your solicitor is worrying you quite unnecessarily. He could move to be with you if he wanted anyway, surely? However, I do think it is nicer if kids can see both parents in general, but the law does not prevent you moving within the UK.

You can move where you want in the UK, the only thing that can happen is that your maintenance may be adjusted to allow for his travel costs to see the children.

Second that. Had exactly the same with my ex, he cannot prevent you from moving in the UK, abroad is a different matter.

I've been worrying aobut this for months! I'm extremely relieved to hear he wont be able to stop me.

When we were together we had planned this move (together), had always intended to move away from where we are now.

Aloha (?), on better days we've discussed him moving to be nearer the children as he sees them daily at present, we've discussed strategies to help them cope (regular rather than sporadic contact and web chats) etc, and even seriously thought about buying smaller houses than our current one but next door to each other!

I do think contact with both parents is important but I also think that the happiness of the main carer is paramount to the childrens happiness. I mean through things like social/family structure (and so theirs), home, maybe job. Unfortunately after 5 years I feel no more comfortable here than the day I arrived. Plus, he now wants this house!

I am hoping we'll be able to sort it out amicably but he's 'threatened' court a few times recently so it's good to have a better idea of where I stand. I'm sure he's coming under immense pressure from his family (another good reason for me to move IMO, they're rather volatile).

Admittedly I am having trouble rationalising at the mo.

Many thanks