Abusive ex-H trying to move children

[jaislapeche]

I am writing on behalf of a friend – looking for anyone who has been in this situation and navigated it successfully.

Ann is divorced from Dan (names have been changed). Dan was and remains incredibly abusive - a master manipulator. They have three children; one is profoundly autistic. Ann is also autistic and struggles to navigate the justice system and social services. Dan, on the other hand, has charmed everyone.

There is a court order in place around the children. They have shared ‘lives with’ custody and shared parental responsibility.

We have just learned from one of the children that Dan is planning to move them 100s of miles away to be with his new wife. He met and married the wife within a month. He is refusing to give information about this move but has confirmed that this is something he is planning.

We think she may need to apply for a prohibited steps order. We are looking at legal advice now, but Ann’s financial means are now very limited after fighting Dan in court over the past two years.

Has anyone been in this situation before and can share their experience/give any advice? Should Ann contact the school? Social services (who have been shit)? Go straight for the prohibited steps order?

Does anyone know charitable organizations that work on this area and serve the South West?

TIA.

You should post this in legal where some experienced solicitors hang out and can give guidance.

You could try NCDV or DV Assist.

Call the advice line www.rightsofwomen.org.Uk

the staff are solicitors and barristers and it’s free.

Straight to court for a prohibited steps order. Get some advice from the court about advocates who can help your friend with her special needs.

I would be putting in the prohibited steps order asap.

Sounds awful, please get proper legal advice if you can.

Thank you for the suggestions so far - very appreciated.

We are getting legal advice this week but wanted to see if others had had similar experiences.

So hes the main carer?

Because if it’s 50-50 it isn’t as simple as his just moving and taking the children, they will need to work out access arrangements.

She can potentially get a prohibited steps order to stop him taking the children, but she can’t stop him moving, so if he does she would need to look at being the resident parent with him having appropriate access. She would then be able to claim maintenance from him.

Is she able to look after the children on her own? Because if not he could use this as justification for the children moving with him.

They have shared custody (50/50). She isn’t able to care for them alone at this stage, although that may change.