Hoping some mums out there can give me some advice. I have two children to my ex husband who I've been separated from for 6 years. My new partner who I've been with for the last 4yrs has been offered an amazing job 12hrs away from where we currently live. There is zero employment where we are now (my partner has a job, I've been looking for almost a year) and we aren't happy in our previous town. We would both love to move to the new location as would the children. I've spoken with my ex husband and informed him of everything and he has now told me I can't take the kids. The last thing I want to do is have it turn into a big fight with him but I really believe that moving would be an amazing opportunity for all of us. My ex husband has never paid child support (is full time employed and earns $180,000 a year) he sees the children for two weekends a month if he has nothing else planned, and I have never stopped him seeing them. I've offered to fly the children up one weekend a month to spend with him and that he is welcome to have them all school holiday etc. am I being unresonable for wanting to move and take my children?? I'm not trying to take them away from him intentionally. Sorry for the novel, but please IM's I need advice desperately. My children are 8 and almost 12
4 Replies
you can make a case for the court. let your partner accept the role and work it FIFO for the interim until you can have the order's changed.
you aren't being unreasonable and never apologise for providing a novel unless the situation is fully explained no one can provide you with a tailored answer and too much has to be assumed. at 8 and 12 your children can fly unaccompanied so there will be minimal challenges to their travel.
he will basically have to prove that you are an unfit mother to stop you from relocating due to availability of jobs in the area and the children's ages.
First step is Mediation, they will provide you a certificate which you will need to take to the court if he refuses to attend or the issue is unable to be resolved in mediation.
We attended mediation years ago but he never showed up for his. Can I apply to do mediation again??
Yes you should be able too I doubt the last certificate would be any good
Take him to mediation, if that doesn't work you can go to court. It is hard, you might not win, you might have to stay, but you don't know if you don't try. Try not to talk to the kids about it though until you know one way or another.