Ex wife lied to where she has taken kids abroad. Where do i stand?

mumps

balletshoes wrote: »

they do? I understood that to be the job of the immigration officials at the airports.

I have been asked for the letter once by the way - at Luton airport immigration when we came back from France with my niece. It was because when they checked her passport, she has a different surname to us.

However I've travelled for 12 years, every year, with just my DD, since she was a baby, without my OH for various reasons, and I've never been asked for any kind of letter of permission from her Dad for her to travel with me. It wouldn't occur to me to get one.

I think the airline can be fined if they let people travel without the correct paperwork and there are problems when they land. I don't know why I think that, I must have heard it somewhere, I will have a look and see if I can find anything.

balletshoes

mumps wrote: »

I think the airline can be fined if they let people travel without the correct paperwork and there are problems when they land. I don't know why I think that, I must have heard it somewhere, I will have a look and see if I can find anything.

correct paperwork for the airline means a valid travel document like a passport or ID card, and the relevant visa if appropriate (my OH isn't British and we go through this regularly when we all fly together as a family).

neverdespairgirl

mumps wrote: »

I think the airline can be fined if they let people travel without the correct paperwork and there are problems when they land. I don't know why I think that, I must have heard it somewhere, I will have a look and see if I can find anything.

That relates more to correct passports and visas, if required. Also applies to Channel Tunnel and ferries.

daisiegg

Forgive me if this is a really stupid question, but if any authorities asked for a letter of permission from a parent to take a child abroad, how would they actually know it is from that parent? How could they know it wasn't just written by any old person? They won't have a copy of the parent's signature to compare it against!

gotnodosh

Forgive me if this is a really stupid question, but if any authorities asked for a letter of permission from a parent to take a child abroad, how would they actually know it is from that parent? How could they know it wasn't just written by any old person? They won't have a copy of the parent's signature to compare it against!

I had a copy of his passport with permission written next to it and signed.

peachyprice

They wouldn't, which is maybe why the authorities don't bother? The whole thing is a farce.

Rottensocks

Moonwax wrote: »

By parental responsibility i mean legally she has to have my permission to take them away, but i must also know where they are. I have been given false details therfore dont actually know where they are...

I don't think she does... she only needs your permission if it is more than 28 days abroad, I believe. (unless you and she have a consent order that says otherwise).

edited to add: sorry I'm wrong, the above is only true if a residence order is in place. Apologies.

I would be annoyed at being fibbed too; but as she's getting hitched, if you kick up a stink you'll look like the big bad wolf, as I've no doubt the kids would then be told "Daddy didn't want you to be at the wedding".

I suppose you're lucky she asked you at all: some parents wouldn't. Is there a history of awkward/silly/unhelpful behaviour from your ex? - you say she's threatened to move abroad before, which suggests she's a bit of a pain when it comes to controlling your relationship with the kids.....

duchy

I think it's very sad that two people can have a child together and later on have such a degree of mistrust for each other that there is even the need for all this nonsense. Pity some people can't grasp that parenting is a joint operation regardless of if you co-habit or not <sigh>

Moonwax

Hello again, I wasnt going to come back on here due to the off topic digs at me. Didnt want to waste my time, but after reading through all the responses i thought id like to add one more post.

Thankyou to those who have been supportive, especially the PM i got from a few - its nice to know some people are nice :-)

I got the correct advice I needed. Long story short, i have only lost the trust in my ex. Untill they are back i dont know the full story.
There are no court orders in place so no Law,etc has been broken.

I can accept it sounds controlling and assumptions are made, but my only care is the kids whereabouts. She knows I wouldnt ruin wedding plans/stop the kids going etc.... Out relationship broke down due to her behaviour which I wont go into on here. And we have built that relationship back up to being mutual over the years.

I am a worrier when it come to my children isnt that natural? Im sorry if some of you dont share the same feelings about yours.

To put this story into perspective, this morning I read a news headline "explosion at Disney world California" Within a split second a million thoughts went through my head! They are in Vegas, did they go to disney in california just to keep the kids happy? are they ok, how can i get hold of them? who here in the UK can get hold of them.. etc.. etc.. etc.. Thankfully reading the article it was nothing to be worried about! But the sheer panic and heart stopping moment occured!

THIS IS WHY I AM NOT HAPPY ABOUT BEING LIED TO!

All i wanted from this forum was the chance maybe someone has experienced the same or a solicitor/lawyer or barrister reads these forums and can ask me the correct questions or advise me the next steps. Before paying out lots of money for a solicitor or wasting police time.
Why you ask? Because she may do this again, threats have been made in the past about moving abroad. I may need to get a court order in place or barriers to stop the worst happening. Not to ruin their holiday! Im not that type of person.

balletshoes

thats a shame moonwax - I really hoped by the time you came back to update us that it would be with news that you'd been able to contact someone who knew where your kids are, and that they are fine and enjoying their holiday. Has there been no news at all from them?

When are they due home?