The following case examples relate to problems with contact, click on the cases below to reveal the answers:
Case Study 1
I was not married to the mother of my child, we have now split up and she says that I cannot see my child. Do I have the right to insist?
Case Study 2
I would like the father of my children to see them and spend time with them but he refuses saying that his new girlfriend wants him to have a fresh start. Can I insist that he has contact with them?
Case Study 3
My girlfriend and I have split up after 5 years of living together. She has an 8 year old child from a previous relationship who has lived with us for the last 5 years. My girlfriend has stopped all contact between me and her child, but I know the child would still like to see me as we have a very good relationship and she sees me as a father figure. Is there anything I can do?
Case Study 4
We are the grandparents of two children who used to come and stay with us during the school holidays. Unfortunately, our son and daughter-in-law are going through a nasty divorce and our daughter-in-law has decided that the children should not spend any time with us. Do we have any rights?
Case Study 5
I am a father with my 12-year-old twins living with me. I am really concerned about my ex-wife's drinking and as a result I have not allowed her to see the children. I have told her that I do not think she should be in sole charge of the children and can only see them if the contact is supervised. She has now applied for a contact order, will the court agree with me?
Case Study 6
I have a three month old baby who I am breastfeeding. I split up with his father and we were not married, he does not have parental responsibility. His father is asking me to start bottle-feeding so that the baby can stay with him all weekend on a regular basis. I feel pressurised and although I allow regular contact should I allow more?
