Hi everyone,
Just a quick question/query- "do family resolution centres/ advice lines actually work?" I have just received a letter from 1 on behalf of my ex partner. & it stated that I refuse then a possibility of going to court would happen. (Short story- my ex had an affair at his work & then left the family to go & live with this person who he now is engaged to- they then moved to another state to live) I guess since I have received this letter I'm feeling a loss of confidence/fear/ & emotionally distressed - & our children & I have spent a good part of the past year rebuilding our lives & moving forward- their lives have changed dramatically - I've never stopped them from having contact with their father ( he has told the children I'll call once a week & you won't see me for a very long time)
- but at his choice he has made little effort to be apart of their lives & getting him to see that our children have busy lives with school, activities has been incredibly exhausting as he demands they respect him / talk to him -but when they ask " why did dad leave" & our oldest (12yrs) has said "dad doesn't listen" - this is the 2nd time he has left the family & this time I am stronger & hopefully slightly wiser - both children have seen counsellors at various times so they can speak privately with a neutral person - their father use to work in mining so they were use to him not being about everyday -
Family resolution centres/ advice lines do they work?
Family resolution centres/ advice lines do they work?
Posted in:
Life Lessons
3 Replies
I would go, it will reflect badly on yourself in court if you don't at least give it a try. It's there in the hopes to avoid court and for a lot of families, my sisters included things get sorted before court. Not going makes you look obstructive and difficult.
I found the relationships Australia mediation very helpful. It does give you an opportunity for you and ex to both speak, the new partners can not attend and it is cheaper than a lawyer. It will reflect poorly for you in court if you do not participate.
I would take the children regularly and do not try to influence anything they say or bad mouth dad, this is very frowned pain and can be used against you. I don't think you are by the sounds of it. Please also go and see someone for you, the last year has been hectic by the sounds of it.
Your problem or solution will be the mediator and the court take the emotion out of it, so it does not matter that he left two times, and that he was a less than perfect parent they look at keeping contact with the children. A friend under similar circumstances had to put her 8year old on a plane to visits day for half the school holidays etc, Be prepared and do everything you can to not obstruct the process. Best of luck. (My son has not seen his dad in 7years, I took him to mediation to try and involve him. Because I tried and he withdrew things came off very well in my favour. Well apart from the no contact. )
It really depends on the issue and the motivation behind the mediation as to wather it will work. I would go and see what the propsal is and go from there. Most times courts will tequire that you attempt mediation before going to court. It is also worth noting that if you do come to an agreement that you are happy with you can take it to court to be made into orders. This is very helpful in some instance. But my advise is to document everything. Every missed call everytime a visit is cancelled. This may assit you later if you do need to go to court. Good luck