Seeking any help/perspectives/experiences.
I have posted previously so won't go into lengthy detail on the backstory.
We cannot afford legal advice currently and are looking at getting to a community centre to do so but don't particularly want to go to court. Mediation attended previously (waste of time) certificate issued.
Bio mother and father were acquaintances, no previous or post birth relationship between. Dad stopped seeing the child around 2years age. Had only ever seen his son at her direction and supervision.
Brief communication with mum between then and over a year ago asking to see his son.
Have been sending gifts/cards since the son was around 6/7 (about 3 years) with mum's ok to do so.
Since the start of this year, mum is letting dad see son only at his activities so very brief interaction. They discussed at the beginning that due to work his attendance will be inconsistent (on a rotating roster). She said that is fine, just come to whatever but now is saying dad is inconsistent.
Son asked dad to bring siblings along (hadn't met them previously) and dad did so without asking the mother. Dad assumed that if it was an issue the son wouldn't have asked or would have told his mum. (Note we won't be making any more assumptions. I know stupid of us)
Mum keeps reiterating how encouraging and supportive she is being about dad seeing the son by allowing him to come to all activities knowing that it isn't actually possible for dad to do so and doesn't consider dad's work. Dad is worried about how this inconsistency is being perceived by his son, and how his son is going to build a relationship with him and siblings continuing to do this.
Question time and please remember I'm asking for advice but Also perspectives to on how to get through this:
-Thoughts on bringing the siblings along with given son's age and length of time he had no contact with dad?
-Thoughts on timeframes given the above, on progression in time and types of contact that is appropriate? Keen to hear others experience and how the children coped/coping strategies.
Thinking of attending a class at RA?
-Anyone know of court cases that may be similar to our situation, or can help me find them. Have been looking on austlii but haven't been able to locate (could be my search fields and inexperience).
Noting dad had no contact for a significant period of time. Mum has documentation of dad saying he does not want to see her and did not want to pay her child support on one occasion (though has not never paid her). Just stupidly vented his frustrations.
How detrimental is all this going to be in family court?
Mum has a lawyer who from my research is very experienced in this area of family law and has advised her to put the son into counselling and keep a record of each time dad attends the activities and time he arrives. Mum has invited dad to apply to court if he doesn't like what she's offering and also indicated he would be getting less from the court.
Hence wanting to read up on similar cases.
I have posted previously so won't go into lengthy detail on the backstory.
We cannot afford legal advice currently and are looking at getting to a community centre to do so but don't particularly want to go to court. Mediation attended previously (waste of time) certificate issued.
Bio mother and father were acquaintances, no previous or post birth relationship between. Dad stopped seeing the child around 2years age. Had only ever seen his son at her direction and supervision.
Brief communication with mum between then and over a year ago asking to see his son.
Have been sending gifts/cards since the son was around 6/7 (about 3 years) with mum's ok to do so.
Since the start of this year, mum is letting dad see son only at his activities so very brief interaction. They discussed at the beginning that due to work his attendance will be inconsistent (on a rotating roster). She said that is fine, just come to whatever but now is saying dad is inconsistent.
Son asked dad to bring siblings along (hadn't met them previously) and dad did so without asking the mother. Dad assumed that if it was an issue the son wouldn't have asked or would have told his mum. (Note we won't be making any more assumptions. I know stupid of us)
Mum keeps reiterating how encouraging and supportive she is being about dad seeing the son by allowing him to come to all activities knowing that it isn't actually possible for dad to do so and doesn't consider dad's work. Dad is worried about how this inconsistency is being perceived by his son, and how his son is going to build a relationship with him and siblings continuing to do this.
Question time and please remember I'm asking for advice but Also perspectives to on how to get through this:
-Thoughts on bringing the siblings along with given son's age and length of time he had no contact with dad?
-Thoughts on timeframes given the above, on progression in time and types of contact that is appropriate? Keen to hear others experience and how the children coped/coping strategies.
Thinking of attending a class at RA?
-Anyone know of court cases that may be similar to our situation, or can help me find them. Have been looking on austlii but haven't been able to locate (could be my search fields and inexperience).
Noting dad had no contact for a significant period of time. Mum has documentation of dad saying he does not want to see her and did not want to pay her child support on one occasion (though has not never paid her). Just stupidly vented his frustrations.
How detrimental is all this going to be in family court?
Mum has a lawyer who from my research is very experienced in this area of family law and has advised her to put the son into counselling and keep a record of each time dad attends the activities and time he arrives. Mum has invited dad to apply to court if he doesn't like what she's offering and also indicated he would be getting less from the court.
Hence wanting to read up on similar cases.
