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Negotiation...

Below are our articles on the subject of Negotiation. If you can't see what you are looking for our other categories are displayed on the left under 'Our Quick Links'...

A Father's Fight for Contact With His Boys

Reader's story about an uncomfortable split in a relationship, followed by a difficult fight for contact with his children....

A Guide to Child Maintenance Payments

This guide to child support accompanies our guide to finances in separation and outlines the general child support and maintenance rates and who is responsible for what....

A Separated Dad's Story of How He Got Residency Rights

A reader's story of how he got through a divorce and custody battle, with the help of his solicitor and Cafcass officer....

Accidents Happen: What to Do When a Child is Injured

Advice on where to turn when a child is injured during shared contact, or when a child has been injured when not in your care....

After the Court Order: Sample Letters Part 1

Five letter templates to help you with issues following a court order relating to residency/contact including - change of surname, school information, moving school, holidays and communication issues....

After the Court Order: Sample Letters Part 2

The next five letters in our pack to help you communicate following a court order for residency/contact, topics include, taking children abroad and emigration....

After the Initial Court Order

Our guide explains what happens after the court process, what to do and what not to do as well as how best deal with any breaches of a court order....

Alternative Dispute Resolution Scheme: Template

A template letter that shows you how you can start the ADR/mediation process, and vital information about costs in civil proceedings....

Am I Entitled To Pay Less Child Support?

Are there factors that can alter the terms of child support payments?...

Applying for a Residence Order (Custody): Court Procedure

Are you trying to get custody of your children? Find out all about residence orders, what's involved, and how the court decides where children should live....

Arranging to Take Your Child on Holiday

When you are arranging to take your child on holiday you need to consult your ex and keep everyone happy....

At What Age Do Child Maintenance Payments Stop?

Find out how long a parent is legal obligated to provide child maintenance payments for their child, and what happens if the child continues with full-time education....

Balancing Your Needs With Your Dependents

Adequately balancing your own personal needs enables you to consistently provide a better level of care, support and effective parenting. Defining what your needs are, however, may require a little at...

Being Falsely Accused of Child Abuse

If you're falsely accused of child abuse or neglect, make sure you know your rights. Find out all about how to protect yourself and your child here....

Being Falsely Accused of Domestic Violence

If you've been falsely accused of assaulting your ex-partner, you may feel totally lost and vulnerable to the imperfections of the justice system. Find out your rights here....

Being Falsely Accused of Rape

It can be devastating to be falsely accused of anything by your ex-partner, but rape or sexual assault is perhaps the most shocking and hurtful. Find out what you can do about it here....

Benefits System and Shared Parenting

Separated Dads' letter to the government has so far (4 weeks in) only received an acknowledgement from no.10, but an MP has raised a new early day motion on the benefits system and shared parenting wh...

Breach of Contact or Residence Order: What to Do

How do you know if a contact or residence order (now a child arrangements order) has been breached? What should you do if your ex partner is constantly breaching a court order and making it difficult ...

Building a Routine After Separation

Building a routine after separation will help your children feel safe and secure....

Buying Presents for Your Kids

If your child has a birthday coming up, or you're puzzling over what to buy them for Christmas, here are some tips on buying presents for your kids - and the psychology of competitive present-buying!...

Cafcass Staff: A Broad Cross Section of Society?

Every year, Cafcass officers are the subject of many complaints from people who have dealings with them. Find out about the main concerns and suggestions for reform here....

Can Ex Apply for Kids' Passports Without My Permission?

Applying for a passport only requires the consent of one parent. This may seem unfair but the act of getting a passport itself is not considered a major decision....

Can I Charge My Ex's New Boyfriend Rent?

Could a new partner who has moved into a jointly owned house be considered a tenant?...

Can I Get a Background Check On Ex's New Partner?

It is possible to do a background check on an ex's new partner but tread carefully....

Can I Leave the CSA and Come to a Private Arrangement?

You can now leave the CSA and come to a private arrangement if the parent with care is on benefits. Find out how to do this here....

Can I Stop My Ex Moving Our Children Abroad?

Under what situations can your ex move abroad with your children?...

Can My Ex Change My Children's Names?

Advice on what to do if your ex wants to change your child's name, for whom you have parental responsibility....

Can My Ex Stop Me Taking My Son on Holiday?

A father asks if his ex-partner can stop him from taking their son on holiday. The answer suggests ways to tackle the problem and how to move forward....

Can My Wife Change My Access Arrangements?

One reader asks where he stands when his ex wants to change his access arrangements....

Changing Your Child's Surname

Your ex-partner may wish to change your child's surname to a new family name. They usually cannot change a child's surname unless both parents agree, or a Court allows the change....

Changing Your Will to Favour Your Children After Divorce

One vital thing to consider after separation is changing your will to ensure that your children inherit your assets when you die....

Checklist: 10 Rules of Negotiating With Your Ex Partner

Staying calm and focused and knowing what you want will help you negotiate successfully with your ex....

Checklist: Agreeing Visitation

Know your rights for visitation and follow our checklist to make sure you get to see your child....

Checklist: Protect Your Child from Effects of Separation

The effects of separation can have negative effects on the life of a child. Although all children react differently to emotional trauma, your choices can make separation an easy process for you and yo...

Checklist: the Emotional Stages After Separation

Until you have experienced the emotional stages after separation you won't be able to move on. Find out the different emotions you will experience and how you can move on....

Checklist: What You Need in the House for Your Child

You need to make your home a safe and inviting place for your child to visit. Follow this checklist to ensure you have everything in place in your home for your child....

Child is Left in Care of 13 Year Old: Can I Prevent It?

One reader expresses his concern for his 16-month-old son who is being left in the care of a 13-year-old step-sister. What are his legal rights to prevent this from happening?...

Child Maintenance Payments: An Overview

There are several ways to come up with figures you pay in child support. This article takes you through them....

Child maintenance: What am I paying for?

What is child maintenance? Child maintenance is the financial support that one parent pays to the other to help with the everyday costs of raising their child. It applies to: Children under ...

Child Support Issues: Letter Templates

Five letter templates for you to use in your communications about child support. The letters cover 1) denying paternity 2) disputing calculations 3) asking for an end date of payments 4) asking for de...

Communication With Your Children

Keeping close to your kids requires talking, which can be hard with limited contact. But there are many avenues you can use to keep in touch....

Contact Orders: the Process

If you are a father wanting to see your children, then you may only have the option of applying for a Contact Order through the Courts. You will need to understand the process and timescales involved...

Coping Financially After a Separation

After separation, you’ll need to review your finances and make changes in order to survive. These tips will help you....

Coping With Life as a Separated Dad

Are you a newly separated dad struggling with being apart from your kids? Here are some tips on how to cope and how to get the best out of the time you spend with them....

Creating a Skeleton Argument for Court

If you are a party to a contested or final hearing, you may need to produce a skeleton argument for the court. In order to do this, you will need to know what should be included in your submission an...

Dating As A Separated Dad

Starting out dating again when you’re single once more can be a minefield, but some simple steps can guide you safely through it....

Dealing With Being Alone

Dealing with suddenly being on your own can be traumatic for separated fathers. Use your support network or develop one, and create positive goals for your future....

Dealing With Your Ex Partner and Child Moving Away

If your ex moves away from the kids, it can have a huge effect on your life. But what can you do about it?...

Developing an Amicable Relationship With Your Ex

For the sake of your child it is essential that, whatever your feeling towards your ex, you build an amicable relationship....

Developing the Relationship With Your Child

Having limited contact with your child can impact on the quality of communication you share. Examining the relationship you have with your dependents will help you gain a better understanding of the w...

Divorce and Contempt of Court

Find out what happens if a party to divorce proceedings breaches a court order or if they are disrespectful of the court proceedings, and how to rectify the issue if you find yourself faced with conte...

Divorce and Perjury

If a party to court proceedings lies under oath, they are guilty of perjury. This can be a common complaint in divorce proceedings but the difficulty lies in proving it. Find out more here....

Divorce and Perverting the Course of Justice

It is possible to pervert the course of justice in the context of divorce proceedings. The penalties can be extremely severe. Find out how to avoid committing a criminal offence and going to prison du...

Divorce and Separation: The Law in Scotland

The divorce law in Scotland is different from that in England and Wales. Understanding the procedures and facts of Scottish divorce law is essential for separating fathers....

Divorce: Your Action Plan

If you are about to divorce, it is worth knowing the basic information in order to proceed and have a plan in place....

Do I Have to Pay My Wife a Certain Amount?

Would a formal separation agreement or divorce be better financially for the husband than an informal separation?...

Do You Know Your Rights as a Father?

Having never planned to be in this position before, you are probably unsure of exactly where your rights and responsibilities lie. Find out all about your rights as a father here....

Does Having a Good Lawyer Help?

What qualities make a good lawyer, and what should he or she achieve on your behalf?...

Duty of Care: When Your Solicitor Won't Contact You

Is your family law solicitor ignoring your calls? Do you feel as though you're being kept in the dark as to the progress of your case? Find out what you are entitled to expect from your solicitor, and...

Ensuring Your Children Are Cared for if You Die

How do you ensure your children are looked after if you become seriously ill or in the event of your death? What if you are separated or divorced from their other parent? Here's some advice in a guest...

Equality in the Family Courts: Letter from Separated Dads to P.M

An open letter to the government, opposition leaders and newspapers demanding action on fathers' treatment in the family courts....

Ex is Changing My Daughter's School: Should I Be Consulted?

Parental responsibility means that you have a legal say in any major decisions that affect your child's life....

Ex Partners and Parental Alienation Syndrome

When one parent attempts to turn the children against the other, it can have disastrous consequences. Here's more information about Parental Alienation Syndrome (PAS) and what you can do about it....

Ex Wants to Take Child to Live in an EU Country: What Are My Rights?

Keeping childcare arrangements amicable is possible if you live near each other, but what happens if your ex wants to go and live elsewhere in the EU? Here is a guest article from Pannone solicitors t...

Financial Arrangements In Separation: Part 1

This is the first in a series of guides we've had written to help you through the various scenarios you may experience once you separate or divorce. This guide will help you sort out financial issues ...

Financial Arrangements In Separation: Part 2

Part two of our financial arrangements in separation guides, deals with the split of money and assets and how to use negotation, alternative dispute resolution and arbitration to settle your differenc...

Forum Rules and Code of Conduct

An overview of the Separated Dad forum rules in order to help keep it a happy and supportive place to share thoughts....

Growing Up Without My Dad: A Case Study

Kara hadn't seen her dad since she was 7 and missed out on their relationship when she was growing up. Here, she reveals how they were reconciled....

Guide to Court 1: 1st Hearing; Court Forms & Statement

Part 1 of our guide to going to court explains about the initial hearings, the forms you will need to complete and how to write your court statement....

Guide to Court 2: Skeleton Argument & Character References

Part 2 of our guide to going to court explains how to construct your skeleton argument and use character references effectively....

Guide to Court 3: False Allegations, Cafcass & Representing Yourself

Part 3 of our guide to going to court is aimed at helping you handle false allegations, deal with Cafcass and offers tips on representing yourself in court if you choose to do so. There are also 3 ha...

Hiding Arguments From Your Children

Arguing with your ex in front of your child will leave them stressed and upset. Discuss your differences maturely in private, or seek mediation....

Holiday Ideas For Dads and Kids

Taking a holiday with your kids can be a great bonding experience for single dads and their children – but where do you go?...

Housing for Separated Fathers

When you separate from your partner, you have a lot of issues to face. One of the most urgent is where you’re going to live....

How a Separated Father Can Move on

Moving on from separation doesn’t happen overnight. But these tips help you break free of the past and still retain a close relationship with your kids....

How a Separation Can Affect a Child's Self-esteem

Children of divorced or separated parents often suffer more than you might think. Not only is their sense of security taken away from them, but in the long-term their own self-esteem and confidence mi...

How Can I Avoid Losing Contact With My Daughter?

This question addresses two thorny issues: how much maintenance should be paid and also the right of access. But there should be a legal solution....

How Can I Obtain a Contact Order?

What procedure do you need to follow to obtain a Contact Order, and what if you don't know your partner's address?...

How Divorce Works For Fathers

Divorce is the legal end to marriage. It can be simple or difficult, depending on the level of acrimony, including arrangements for your children....

How Do I Ensure CSA Money is Spent on My Child?

It is important that both parents contribute to their child's upbringing but can be difficult when CSA payments are not spent on the child....

How Do I Find My Children's New Address?

If you're trying to find your ex-partner, a family member or even an old friend, you can use the services of a tracing agent. Find out more here....

How Do I Make My Ex See What He's Doing to the Kids?

One mother asks how she can convince her ex to see his children regularly, as his lack of contact is detrimental to their kids....

How I Felt When My Parents Separated: A Case Study

Luke found it hard to deal with his parents splitting up but is now certain that it was for the best....

How I Stay in Touch With My Dad: A Case Study

When Katy's Dad moved away she learnt all the different ways that she could stay in touch with him....

How Many Fathers Don't Pay Child Support?

A lot of people owe child support and haven't paid - but how many are there, and what happens to them?...

How My Story Might Make Separated Parents Think

A reader's story of how his ex partner duped him into believing his son was dead....

How Stephen Won His Access Battle: A Case Study

When Stephen Green's former partner wanted to limit his access to his children, he knew there would be trouble. Find out how he gained the access he wanted....

How to Change Your Life After Separation

If you're finding it hard to cope after a separation or divorce, here are some very simple but highly effective strategies that can help you make the changes that you want to happen in your life....

How to Get to See My Kids and Help Other Separated Dads

As well gaining the help of the legal system, fathers need to seek emotional support and mediation when they are trying to get custody rights....

How to Improve Relations With Your Child's Mother

Many couples experience poor communication long before they decide to separate or divorce. Maintaining a good relationship with an ex partner is important and beneficial to your children's wellbeing. ...

How to Stop Emotional Meltdown

Emotional meltdown is a learning curve from which we can achieve a better understanding of our personal needs and growth. Understanding that there are effective ways of coping with this difficult emot...

How to Write Your Statement for Court

When applying for or contesting a child residence or contact order, you may be required to write a statement detailing what you wish to say in court....

How Visitation Rights Work For Fathers

There are several ways to arrange contact between you and your children, ranging from an agreement between you and your ex to a Contact Order from the family court....

How We Communicate Through Mediation: A Case Study

Fed up with continuous arguments with his ex, Len agreed to give mediation a go and was surprised by the results....

I Stayed Friends With My Ex: A Case Study

If you focus on the needs of your child, says Mike, then you will work out a way to stay friends with your ex....

I Won Full Time Care of My Daughter

A reader's account of how he fought against the odds, to get full time care of his young daughter when he and his wife split up....

Insurance and Investments for Children Following Separation

One of the best things you can do for your kids is invest for their future, to pay for university or a house deposit. These tips show the best courses to take....

Introducing a New Partner to Your Children

When you find a new partner, introduce her gradually to you children and the let the relationship between them develop naturally....

Is My Ex Allowed To Remove Our Son From School to Go on Holiday?

A difference of opinion on your child's upbringing can be difficult to sort out with your ex. Find out how best to deal with the situation with an ex....

Is My Ex-Wife in Breach of The Contact Order?

Can an ex move your child away and also refuse to comply with a Contact Order? Find out what are your legal rights....

Joint Projects to Help You Bond With Your Child

As well as your regular contact, it can be a good idea to start some projects that allow you both to bond while you are apart from your children....

Legal Aid Withdrawal: How to Represent Yourself

Being a litigant in person in a family law case is becoming more common since the withdrawal of public funding. There are some imminent changes in the law that you need to be familiar with if you want...

Living Between Two Homes: A Case Study

Alicia says that having two homes was hard to start with but now she thinks it is pretty cool....

Living With Your Ex

Many people are now forced to live with their ex until they can find an alternative yet suitable place to go, particularly in the current economic climate. This is not an easy task and there are many...

Lobby Your MP About Fathers' Rights

Are you frustrated about an issue that's affected you as a separated parent? You should consider writing to your MP. If enough people do this, it could have an impact. Find out all about how to struct...

Maintain a Bond When Visitation Rights are Infrequent

Even if you’re not physically close to your kids for some reason, you can still keep in touch, and rearrange things to spend longer blocks of time with them....

Making a Home Away from Home for Your Child

Make a home away from home for your child by filling it with familiar things and creating their own space....

Making Joint Decisions About Your Child's Future

You have a right to make major decisions about your child's future and need to find a way to work with your ex on these choices....

Making The Most of Your Time With Your Child

Having far less time with your children than you did before means making the most of the time together. But that doesn’t mean you need to be constantly doing things....

Matrimonial Home: What Are My Rights?

What happens if you and your spouse separate but the marital home is only in one person's name?...

Mediation as a Solution for Child Custody and Visitation

Mediation can be an inexpensive way to sort out the problems of separation, especially those relating to your children, such as contact and residence arrangements....

Mediation: What is it and is it For Me?

Mediation is most often used in family proceedings, contact orders, residence agreements and divorce. It is a formal negotiation and courts can accept the agreement of the mediation instead of having ...

Missing Important Milestones in Your Child's Life

As a separated dad, you’ll miss many of the milestones in your children’s lives. But there are ways to increase your involvement....

Misuse of Maintenance Payments

As responsible and caring dads, you want to make sure that the money you pay towards your child's everyday needs is actually being spent on your child. So what can you do if you suspect that your ex i...

Moving Abroad Without My Kids: A Case Study

Can it work when a father moves abroad for work, away from his kids? Sometimes it can, sometimes it can't....

My Positive Experience of Cafcass

Read one father's positive experience of Cafcass and how they helped him to gain shared residency for his children....

New Partners: How it Feels to Date a Separated Dad

Fiona shares her experience of dating a separated dad and tells us why it didn't work out for them....

Organising Christmas Between Two Homes

Try to create a fair way to share Christmas and make sure you put the needs of your child first....

Our 'Alternative' Separation: A Case Study

If you are fortunate enough to have open communication with your partner, finding an alternative separation arrangement could offer you both many benefits....

Our Kids' Reaction to Our Separation: A Case Study

One father's story about how his guilt over leaving his wife became an exhausting and expensive exercise in over-compensation!...

Parental Responsibility Guide and Letters

Written by a qualified barrister, this guide to parental responsibility will help you understand your rights (and responsibilities) as a separated parent....

Parental Responsibility: Have it? Need it? Get it.

Written by a qualified barrister, this guide to parental responsibility will help you understand your rights (and responsibilities) as a separated parent....

Paternal Grandparents' Rights

Paternal grandparents are in legal limbo after a couple breaks up, with no right of access to their grandchildren....

Paternity and the Law

If you are about to become a father, then you will want to know your rights with regards to your employment; striking a balance between this and your family life....

Paternity Tests: Letter Templates

Here are two letter templates to use if you want to have a paternity test carried out. The first, is a letter is to a paternity testing body and the other is to the mother of the child....

Planning Children's Parties

Don't get carried away planning a party for your child as the simple ideas are often the best....

Preparation for Contested Hearings: A Checklist

If you are a party to a contested hearing, make sure you are fully prepared by reading this checklist....

Recommended Reading For Separated Dads

A guide to what to read if you are a separated dad including emotion, support, finances and court....

Relationship Breakdown: 'Lies' About Behaviour

If you're going through a difficult divorce or separation, you may find yourself on the receiving end of false allegations and lies about you and your behaviour in the relationship. Here are the facts...

Relationships With Your Ex-Partner

After a split, relations with your ex-partner can often go through a cycle ending in friendship, although this isn’t always the case....

Representing Yourself in Court

If you're not eligible for legal aid or don't want to use a lawyer for your case, you may be considering representing yourself. Find out here how to apply for various types of orders and what you shou...

Requesting a PR Agreement: Letter Template

If you want to play an active part in your child's life and you don't automatically have parental responsbility, you could have a parental responsibility agreement drawn up. Here is our letter templat...

Requesting Information About Your Pre-School Child: Template

If you are struggling to find out basic educational information about your child, then you need to make a request in writing....

Resisting the Temptation to Compete With Your Ex

Competing with your ex is not good for anyone, let alone your child. Instead concentrate on being a good parent and working together with your ex to provide a stable environment....

Response from Ed Balls to Our Letter

Here is the response to our letter to Ed Balls about equal rights for fathers....

Sample Separation Agreement

Here is an example agreement that you can use to record the division of your property, assets, child-related finances....

School, Health and Clubs: Letter Templates

Here are 3 letters to help you get the information you need about your child's schooling and health: 1) to school requesting information about your child's education and any other issues 2) To your ch...

Separated Dads News/Blog

Our blog, with news and comments about being a separated dad....

Separation Rights for Fathers

If you weren’t married to your partner, and your name isn’t on the birth certificates of your children, you could receive a nasty shock when it comes to contact with your kids....

Shared Custody of Your Children

Shared custody or shared residency as it's often known, is a relatively new idea in the UK, but one which has been shown to bring more security to children after the parents separate....

Specific Issue Orders

Find out all about Specific Issue Orders: what they are, who can apply for one and the court procedure for obtaining one....

Staying Involved in a Child's School Activities

Kids don’t always open up about what’s happening at school. But even as a single dad it’s possible to remain involved in their school lives and activities and discover what’s happening there....

Support for Separated Dads

As a separated dad you have a minefield to negotiate, not only with financial and legal issues, but also emotional ones. However, these organisations can help you....

Talking to Kids About Your Separation From Them

It’s not easy telling your children that you and your partner are separating. But these steps can help ease a traumatic time for everyone....

Talking to Your Child About You Having More Children

Your children can feel threatened when you tell them your new partner is expecting a baby. But there are ways you can keep the bond with your kids strong and part of your new family....

The Different Types of Court Orders

A summary of the different Court Orders available, as well as a look at the difference between care orders and supervision orders to explain the duties of Local Authorities re children and the limits ...

The End of a Relationship: What Went Wrong?

Why did your relationship come to an end? How to work out what went wrong and learn from your experiences....

The Equality Act 2010: What it Can Do for You

The Equality Act 2010 is intended to make life fairer for everyone. Read an introduction to the new law here and find out how you and others could benefit....

The Importance of My Ex in My Child's Life: A Case Study

Libby's ex may have let her down, but she won't do the same to her children by taking him away from them....

The Psychological Effect of Separation on Children

There has been a lot written on the terrible effects of separation on children, but is it always that bad?...

Things To Do With Your Kids

There are plenty of things you can do with your kids – but the best can be just spending time with them at your place....

Understanding Depression in a Child

When parents separate or divorce, it's natural for the children to feel sad and unhappy. When that unhappiness doesn't lift, however, and transforms itself into an overwhelming type of depression, it'...

Understanding the Remission System

The Remission system is there to help ensure that access to the courts is not restricted because of an individual's inability to pay the fees....

Unsupervised Contact: Taking Along Family Members

Who can attend unsupervised contact? Here are some possible approaches that parties might take to facilitate contact with other family members....

Using a Barrister in Family Cases

Are you being represented by a barrister at the family court? Find out all about what this means, and the difference between a barrister and a solicitor, here....

Using a McKenzie Friend in Court

A McKenzie Friend is a non-legally qualified person who can sit with your during a court a hearing - not as a representative but to offer advice and assistance. Find out more here....

Using Mediation Effectively

Mediation is a great way to find common ground and build communication with your ex....

Using Reverse Psychology Effectively

Learning how to use reverse psychology techniques effectively can help you improve levels of communication with even the most difficult of people....

Welcome to the Separated Dads Forum

Separated dads discussion forum - come and share your views, air your problems, ask questions and get support....

What Are Barring Orders?

If you are a party to a Section 91(14) or Barring Order, you will need to know the consequences and how to best approach an application in the courts....

What Are My Chances of 50/50 Residence?

Should you go to court over your shared contact? Find out here what you should take into consideration before you decide....

What Can I Do to Help My Daughter?

What can a father do when his ex tries to restrict contact with his teenage daughter?...

What Can I do to Stay in My Daughter's Life?

How can a father establish Parental Responsibility for his daughter?...

What Goes into the Cafcass Family Report?

The Cafcass report is an important document in family court, but who puts it together, and what goes into it?...

What Happens at Family Court?

If you or someone you know is due to go to the family court, you may be wondering what to expect. Find out what you need to do, and how best to prepare yourself for court....

What Happens If My Ex Keeps the Children Without My Consent?

This article outlines your rights if your ex keeps your child without your permission or consent....

What is Abduction?

It is important to know the law concerning adoption when taking your child abroad. This information may also be useful if your child's mother is considering emigrating to another country....

What Organisations Help With Rights for Dads?

There are plenty of groups for separated mothers, but there are also groups out there to help separated and divorced fathers....

What Rights do I have if I'm not on the Birth Certificate

A father not named on the birth certificate has no rights over his child, so find out how he can gain custody rights....

What to Do Between Contact Sessions

How fathers can plan for contact sessions with their children, and how to make sure you all keep busy!...

When Children are Taken into Care: A Guide

What happens when your children are taken into care? Our guide will help you understand what a care order is, the process that follows a care order, what happens after the child has been taken into ca...

When Children Try to Play Parents Against Each Other

It is normal for your child to try to play you against your ex, but don't rise to the bait....

When Daddy Got a New Girlfriend: A Case Study

When Alesha's daddy got a new girlfriend she wasn't very happy about it, but slowly she built a relationship with her dad's new partner....

When Ex Changes Locks on Jointly Owned Property

There is not a lot to stop an owner of a property changing locks. The problems arise when one joint owner deprives another of access to a property......

When Your Ex Emigrates With Your Children

What happens when your ex wants to return to her home country or emigrate with your children? What can you do about it? Louise Halford explains in this guest article....

When Your Ex Gets a New Partner

You can feel very insecure about your children when your ex has a long-term partner, but you can keep a strong relationship with your children....

When Your Ex-Partner Denies You Access

If your ex denies you access to your children, it can seem like a staggering blow. But following these steps can help you see your kids....

Which Court Form Do I Need?

Which court form do I need? A guide to some of the court orders that a separated father may want to apply for and the court forms needed....

Who Qualifies for Legal Aid?

If you're going to family court or have a family legal matter that needs resolving, you may be entitled to legal aid. Find out the criteria and the different types of funding available here....

Working With the CSA on Support Payments

When your work circumstances change, and you pay child support through CSA, they'll work with you to adjust the amount....

Writing to Your Child's School or GP for Information: A Template

If you are a father who does not have access to your child's schooling and medical information, use these template letters to put a request in writing to the appropriate professional....

Your Ex and Holiday Issues: Letter Templates

Four letter templates to help you communicate with your ex over holidays with the children; taking them abroad, changing dates, requesting extra days and setting up emergency contact channels....