What's the rules on kids not wanting to see their dad?
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Hi all,
It's been a while but I hope you are all doing ok? We have been through a few adjournments now so sentencing still hasn't happened. My children are 14 and 12 and have decided since he pleased guilty that they don't want to have any contact with their dad. That was back in October. He doesn't even bother to contact me to ask how they are either but I just wanted to check what rights he has if he decides he does want to see them? He is on their birth certificates as we were married when they were both born we separated 9 years ago and are now divorced (thank goodness!) my view is they are old enough to make that decision themselves but wasn't sure if he pushed to see them if I can actually say no?
Thank you!
It's been a while but I hope you are all doing ok? We have been through a few adjournments now so sentencing still hasn't happened. My children are 14 and 12 and have decided since he pleased guilty that they don't want to have any contact with their dad. That was back in October. He doesn't even bother to contact me to ask how they are either but I just wanted to check what rights he has if he decides he does want to see them? He is on their birth certificates as we were married when they were both born we separated 9 years ago and are now divorced (thank goodness!) my view is they are old enough to make that decision themselves but wasn't sure if he pushed to see them if I can actually say no?
Thank you!
Hi, I think he'd have a real uphill struggle. He'd have to go to court and given the ages of your children, their opinions count for alot and with the conviction on top, well, I can't see anyone forcing contact. X
Hi with the conviction and the children's ages he doesn't stand a chance! Even without the conviction your children are old enough to make a decision x
From a legal standpoint the key factor in whether the children can make the decision for themselves would be whether they were deemed to be Gillick Competent. This is based not just on their age but also on level of maturity and understanding of the situation and the decision to be made, and their ability to weight the benifits, risks and long term consequences.
That said I would imagine most teenage children (barring learning disabilities or other developmental delay) would be competent to make the decision about contact for themselves. Plus how would you force a teenage to have contact with someone they dont want to be around.
That said I would imagine most teenage children (barring learning disabilities or other developmental delay) would be competent to make the decision about contact for themselves. Plus how would you force a teenage to have contact with someone they dont want to be around.
Great thank you all, they are both sensible mature children and I have been honest with them from the start of this all. They know they only have to ask and I will sort out contact for them but they currently have no interest. Thankfully he isn't pushing it at the moment and doesn't even ask after them so it seems to be a mutual decision but I know he likes to be difficult sometimes so I just wanted to be prepared! Thanks again, fingers crossed sentencing happens in May and we can draw a line and move forward x