access to my kids

[hurtfather]

i am having problems with my ex saying she wont allow me to see my kids unsupervised, problem is with the money i am paying on mainenance i cant afford a solicitor, can she do this without a court order?

[sara3]

you can get free legal advice from welfare advisory bodies such as the CAB.

[hurtfather]

i dont wish to be rude to the c.a.b but when i went it was an old lady telling me she didnt know much about family law and just gave me the name of a website.

[cazzz1975]

here is a useful page, apologies it is the CAB but more clued up than the woman you seen :D

http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/index/your_right s/legal_system/help_with_legal_costs.htm#legal _aid

[sara3]

well there are lots of questions.. why aren't you paying maintenance? why supervised visits? this would suggest she thinks the children are at risk. what was the website you were given?

[bednobs]

in theory, the custodial parent can do practically anything, untill there is a court order in place to prevent them it seems

[hurtfather]

th reasoning behind it is that i had an argument with the mother and and my step daughter and suddenly my son said he hated me and didnt want to see me, and yes i am paying maintenence on both my son and my step daughter, surley dads have rights too.

[gbradfield]

what are the reasons for her not allowing access? In my experience the courts would only agree with this if the children were at risk of some sort, wether that being you have ever been violent, or have toyed around with the children emotionally i.e. by not turning up to collect them when you agree etc. You say you pay maintenance, and if your name is on the birth certificate then you DO have equal rights. however if you have done any of the above then she is perfectly within her rights to stop the access until you prove yourself to the courts. Hve you at least spoke to a solisitor? in my case i was able to get it all on legal aid. good luck!