[Niamh.]

Originally Posted by Kizzy

Unmarried parents have a rough time, when a couple divorce the children are discussed and in the main provisions made for them to have reasonable access to both parents.
This is not the case for unmarried couples, many are left in a no mans land with little help support or advice.
I would like legal aid to be available for all fathers to assist in mediating contact, for too long the onus has been on financial contribution.

mhhmm, absolutely. An unmarried father isn't even legal guardian to his own child, even if his name is on the birth cert. He has to either get the mothers permission to be appointed legal guardian or (as in my husbands case) if she refuses he has to go through the courts to make it so, which costs alot of money, not to mention lost earnings for having to take time off work to do it too.

What's annoying is his ex was entitled to free legal aid but he wasn't and she actually told a mutual friend of theirs that she didn't care how often he had to take her to court cos it wasn't costing her a penny

[Vicky.]

Originally Posted by Niamh.

mhhmm, absolutely. An unmarried father isn't even legal guardian to his own child, even if his name is on the birth cert. He has to either get the mothers permission to be appointed legal guardian or (as in my husbands case) if she refuses he has to go through the courts to make it so, which costs alot of money, not to mention lost earnings for having to take time off work to do it too.

What's annoying is his ex was entitled to free legal aid but he wasn't and she actually told a mutual friend of theirs that she didn't care how often he had to take her to court cos it wasn't costing her a penny

This is exactly the case with my sisters partners ex. They have been to court maybe 10 times now..The girl has only shown up twice and no agreement was reached. Surely after so many no shows..it would prove to the court that she doesnt give a **** and they would just grant access in her absence? Its costing my sister a fortune as they have to pay a lawyer at each no show

[Niamh.]

Originally Posted by Vicky.

This is exactly the case with my sisters partners ex. They have been to court maybe 10 times now..The girl has only shown up twice and no agreement was reached. Surely after so many no shows..it would prove to the court that she doesnt give a **** and they would just grant access in her absence? Its costing my sister a fortune as they have to pay a lawyer at each no show

But they don't do anything about it, Gavs daughter is 17 now, so he's been in and out of there so many times, i remember one time she took him to court looking for more maintenance, (she doesn't work at all herself and her kids are in school) Gav showed his earnings to the judge and said he couldn't afford to pay anymore and the judge told him "I suggest you some overtime" That's what you have to deal with, no sign of the judge telling her to get off her lazy ass and find a job