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Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

How do I leave with the kids? Really stuck.

7 replies

makeminemango · 12/07/2012 22:25

I have told my husband that I want a divorce. Without going into the details, it's been a long time coming, and our communication is non existent. If we talk we argue. We have 2kids, aged 4 & 2. I have good legal advice. He is a controlling man. The thing is that he will not leave the house, he won't. I am thinking/ planning really to move out with kids. I work part time and should be ably to do this. However, he is saying he won't let me take the kids.

How do I move out??? With the kids, let alone packing any of our stuff? I can really see us fighting over the kids at the door step. My family are on the other side of the world and I'm feeling quite stuck but desperate. Any advice welcome.

OP posts:
HecateHarshPants · 12/07/2012 22:27

Does he work? Can you make plans while he's out and just go with whatever you can take in that time frame? Talk to women's aid see if they can help?

kinkyfuckery · 12/07/2012 22:28

I think your best bet is to speak to a solicitor.

KatherineKavanagh · 12/07/2012 22:29

Who is the main carer? If he's a sahd he might have a point

makeminemango · 12/07/2012 22:47

He's currently looking for work, redundant since march. Hes at home a lot so would not know when the house would be vacant for me to move stuff Both kids are in child care & whilst he loves his kids, he would never be a sahd- too alpha male. I'll try woman's aid & see what's possible. I also have a good psychotherapist who is (just) keeping me sane.

OP posts:
Lueji · 13/07/2012 07:35

Do you have friends who could help?

You CAN move out with the kids with him in the house, but that would involve taking nothing with you.
Could you siphon out some clothes and toys?

I did leave with DS in somewhat similar circumstances, with the excuse of going shopping.
Then I got back the next day to collect my clothes. The police where I live were happy to come with me while I did it, when he allowed me in.

I did it in a rush, but if you can get the legal side sorted it might be easier.
And you might actually get him to leave the house instead.

tb · 13/07/2012 13:08

Is he signing on? If he is, would his signing on times give you a break to pack some stuff and take it to a friend's so that you could collect it at a later date?

Dahlen · 13/07/2012 14:05

I'm gong to leave the debate about whether or not this is the right thing to do (impossible to tell from just the word 'controlling') and treat this as a woman fleeing an abusive situation in case it is of any use to anyone else.

You could get him to leave the house, but unless you can afford to keep it on your own income, it probably isn't worth it TBH. You don't want to have him holding power over you because you're relying on him to pay mortgage or rent.

Sort out your accommodation. Get any post relating to the new accommodation redirected to your workplace/a friend so that he doesn't know you're doing it. Continue to have your normal post delivered to the marital home but have a redirection set up ready for your leaving date once you have it.

In secret, gather all the documents you will need to take with you. Copy anything you think you might need that isn't yours (e.g. copies of savings accounts in his name, mortgage documents showing that both your names are on it, etc). Take that to your workplace for safe-keeping or leave with a friend.

If you think it is safe to do so, pack a few of your and DCs belongings in bags and stash them where they won't be noticed. ONLY do this if you think it will go unnoticed.

Go to see a solicitor and go as far as you can with getting a residency order in place without letting your H know. You can resume when you move. By the time it goes through, the children will already be residing with you and maintaining the status quo is 9/10ths of it.

If you're moving out of the area, as soon as you have your new address, find a new school and set the wheels in motion for your 4-year-old. Tell the school that you are leaving an abusive relationship, setting up a residency order and that they are not to disclose your new adress to your DC's father if he tracks them down. As he has parental responsibility, he is entitled to know which school your 4yo goes to and to contact the school about your child, but he is not entitled to remove child from premises if you have a residency order, nor is he entitled to know where you live.

Phone tax credits and child benefit etc as soon as you have your new address. It will take a couple of weeks to set things in motion, so get the ball rolling as soon as you can. You can't set things up in advance but if you treat the day you get the keys as the day your new life starts, you might claw back a week or so.

On the day you wish to move, arrange for removals to come once he's left for work. If he doesn't work, ask for a police escort on the grounds that you are fearful for your safety. Take only what you can pack and transport there and then so you don't delay. Yes you will have to leave some stuff behind, but that's part for the course in most breakdowns, let alone one where you are fleeing.

Arrange a supermarket delivery order, including nappies etc, to be delivered to your new address on the day you move in.

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