How can he see his children

[jaynel]

Hi ive recently read a post about a father not being allow access to see his dd, i have a friend with the same problem! his ex refuses to let him see there dc unless he moved 4 1/2 hours away (where she lives) and gets back with her. when she was pregnant she had an illness like postnatal depression but she refused to admit she had a problem therefore would not take help or medication for it! so this could not be put on her notes. she had a ds and after a while decided she didnt want to be with my friend anymore so she moved away to live with her family (4 1/2 hours away) to cut a long story short they got back together, this then happened 4 times, they then had another child, because he would not get back with her she went to the police and accused him of all sorts. which did not happen. he hasnt seen his dc since xmas, she refuses to answer the phone or his texts, to which he does everyday and she tells the dc daddy doesnt want them. he is at the end of his tether and is desparate to speak to his dc let alone see them. he can not afford solisitors or court costs is there anything he can do other than move hundreds of miles away and get back with her?

bump

:)

I really wish I could answer this for you, surely someone out there has more info?

Thank you anyway dodiesmith

I'm not sure if it's still the case but I'm sure people are entitled to 30 minutes free with a solicitor. Has he tried calling Citizens Advice?

I feel very sorry for him. A father should be able to see his kids.

He may be eligible for Legal Aid, it's worth finding out. Failing that, he should join Families Need Fathers who can give really useful advice about how he can go about representing himself through a court case. Of course he doesn't have to move back in with her, what a nonsense!

thank you i will tell him to have a look at families need fathers

If he knows where she is and she doesn't answer calls could he not just turn up as a surprise. Surely she won't say no in front of the kids especially if their excited to see him?

Ref court, if he can't afford the costs and isn't eligible for legal aid (worth checking) he could self represent.

I agree with Gobble, if he can't afford solicitors then self represent, there are so many sites full of info on how to do it, then he should just get on and do it.
I think kids should be able to see both parents, how sad for the kids otherwise.

sorry im not clued up on this kind of stuff,what does he have to do to self represent?
I have suggested he just turns up but he said she would just call the police and say he is going to kidnap the children, she is very bitter and in his mind unwell.

Hate to ask, but are you sure his version of events is correct?... There are women like you describe out there, but also there are violent abusive men that tell their new victims targets all manner of BS to get sympathy/a shag.

Go steady.

thank you for your concern i am pretty certain he is telling the truth, i can see where your coming from but he is a very genuine person and he is desparate to have contact with his children

He can go straight to his local court to apply for contact, they'll even help him fill out the forms. Most dads self represent, there's normally a fee when you hand the form in (not huge). She'll be asked to respond and it'll go from there, the courts want what's in the best interest of the children and unless there's a history of violence etc they find ways for contact to happen. He could also apply for mediation.

Not an expert, but my DH has been through to this to get regular access to DSS. Don't be afraid to head straight to the court to get the ball rolling.

Thank you for your help, i hope it works but one more quick question if he self represents does he need a mckenzie friend?

He doesn't need one, but if one is available it would be wise to use the service.

is that still classed as self representing even if he uses a Mckenzie friend?

Should be, they'll explain it all to him anyway. Even just ringing them with some questions would be a good start, they are usually happy to help

He'll still be self-repping because a Mckenzie Friend is there to offer support and advice, not represent. Your friend will still be the one to talk in coirt. Good luck.

Coirt? Court!

thank you youve all been really kind and helpful