I am seeking your wisdom on how I can increase the number of nights per fortnights with my 2 daughters (4.5 and 7 years old).
My ex has refused to allow me to increase my custody of children as she knows she can maximise the child support fees that she can get via the Child Support Agency. Both my daughters want to spend equal share with both their parents, however, I see fear of reprisal in their eyes when the mother is around.
Initially, she gave me 2 nights a fortnight (alternating weekends), then through mediation, an extra night. One of our close friends negotiated on behalf for me and managed to get a 4th night after finding out that she will still receive the same amount of child support fees if it was 3 or 4 nights (which she later retracted to blackmail me on other matters). We will be attending a 3rd mediation session and discussions collapsed in the 1st and 2nd session and our mediator has voiced frustrations as he is unable to make any progress.
I have come up with a plan to take care of both my children at 6 nights a fortnight, thanks to the strong support I am getting at work. I am keen to spend more time with my kids that I have cut down from full-time to part-time so that my youngest do not have to go to childcare during my nights and I have applied for "working with children's checks" so I can be at school with my eldest.
Previously, her PSO brother colluded with her to lie to the police to put an Intervention Order against me - this has since expired without any breaches. The IVO was accepted without admission however I should have contested but didn't understand the process. Other relevant information is that the mother used to have hyperthyearoid which was treated 4 years ago (suspect this condition may be back) and the GP described that this condition makes her go "cuckoo" in the head. It's impossible to talk common sense with her and she changes her mind like the "Melbourne weather".
Are there any other approaches I can take apart from going to Court which I rather not as I would prefer to spend the money on the kids instead.
My ex has refused to allow me to increase my custody of children as she knows she can maximise the child support fees that she can get via the Child Support Agency. Both my daughters want to spend equal share with both their parents, however, I see fear of reprisal in their eyes when the mother is around.
Initially, she gave me 2 nights a fortnight (alternating weekends), then through mediation, an extra night. One of our close friends negotiated on behalf for me and managed to get a 4th night after finding out that she will still receive the same amount of child support fees if it was 3 or 4 nights (which she later retracted to blackmail me on other matters). We will be attending a 3rd mediation session and discussions collapsed in the 1st and 2nd session and our mediator has voiced frustrations as he is unable to make any progress.
I have come up with a plan to take care of both my children at 6 nights a fortnight, thanks to the strong support I am getting at work. I am keen to spend more time with my kids that I have cut down from full-time to part-time so that my youngest do not have to go to childcare during my nights and I have applied for "working with children's checks" so I can be at school with my eldest.
Previously, her PSO brother colluded with her to lie to the police to put an Intervention Order against me - this has since expired without any breaches. The IVO was accepted without admission however I should have contested but didn't understand the process. Other relevant information is that the mother used to have hyperthyearoid which was treated 4 years ago (suspect this condition may be back) and the GP described that this condition makes her go "cuckoo" in the head. It's impossible to talk common sense with her and she changes her mind like the "Melbourne weather".
Are there any other approaches I can take apart from going to Court which I rather not as I would prefer to spend the money on the kids instead.