Advice needed for a friend

[MultipackCokeCan]

My friend and his partner split up a few months ago, at the time his partner was pregnant and they had another older child. She threw him out

Now she's completely denying him access, he's never met the new baby, when he seen them in the street the older child shouted "daddy" to which the mother replied "that's not your dad that's (his first name)"

She has ignored solicitors letters, SS got involved and arranged access but she refused.

Basically because she isn't with him she wont let him see the kids

What else can he do? He's a loving father who dotes on his kid, but i can see him spiraling into depression and some of the stuff he's saying is alarming, he says his life means nothing without his kids in it and what's the point in being here anymore

What can he do?

There will be people who can give good advice on here but it also sounds like he might need to see his GP if he is depressed.

He needs to take her to court, basically.

Does he have contact with her family? Would it be worth trying to go down that route?

Regardless of whether he's married to his now ex-partner, your friend should apply for a Child Arrangements Order here: www.gov.uk/looking-after-children-divorce/types-of-court-order

It will cost £215 to make the application and he can represent himself throughout the process - he/you can also seek advice on this thread or on the Legal board if he's in any doubt about what to do/say.

Tell him that the point of him being here is to prevent his dcs being tormented by the thought that their df didn't love them because he chose to absent himself from their lives in the most permanent way possible.

As Wando has suggested, please encourage your friend to see his GP as a short course of antidepressants may be needed to lift his currently negative mindset.

Pocket's suggestion is a good one re other family members. If you can avoid courts so much the better.

The ex may have ignored solicitors' letters, social services etc, but she won't be able to ignore a court order without incurring some penalty/sanction or other.

In any event, prior to any case of this nature being put before a court, there is a mediation process to be undertaken which may achieve resolution.

Op send the link of this thread to your friend if you feel he wouldn't mind. It might give him heart as well as good advice