Can we go for custody of my partners step - son?

c0c0nuts

..........

meritaten

if he was your legal stepson I would say go for it............but he isn't. I think this could get complicated and would say you need legal advice from a specialist solicitor.
most give a free half hour or so consultation which would give you an indication of whether you had a 'cat in hells' chance or a 'probable' chance at gaining custody.
btw - Social Services would prefer to place a child with family if available - but you would need a viable reason to get them involved.
such as
Child abuse
Child endangerment
oh and at age 7 the childs wishes would be taken into account by a family court I believe.

Guest101

Anyone who has lived with the child for 3 or more years can Apply for PR.

Once he has that, contact is possible, at 13 his wishes would be taken into account.

Homeownertobe

What does the biological father want?

c0c0nuts

...........

c0c0nuts

My sentiments exactly but we all make mistakes and appearances can be deceptive.
In hindsight I think he felt sorry for her.

jackyann

Go to Social Services: they need to know that this woman is (as you describe it) being cruel to her kids.
They will listen to the children and act in their best interests - and yes, I have known that being doing a placement with an adult who cares for them and has a relationship with them. If that is the decision, they will then help sort out the legalities.
Don't worry about the geography of it all - begin with your local Social Services and they will involve the other one.

pigpen

at 13 the child can contact SS themselves and basically they will let them do exactly as they please regardless of what the parents say or do. They don't even seem too fussed if the person they want to live with is a drug addict, prostitute or battered his older children.. they don't care.

He could just refuse to go back and you ring the police, they get the duty SW involved and go from there.

But at 13 they can do as they please in terms of what the law or PR can enforce.

Jagraf

Op - what eoukd uour guess be as to what the son (13) wants? X

Guest101

c0c0nuts wrote: »

Thankyou for your replies!
I suspected it would be complicated, we'll definitely need to contact the family solicitor. My partner raised the boy for 10 years as his own. The biological father left the mother when she was pregnant as she is mad as a box of frogs- but pays for him and visits once a year- he wants the son to be happy and healthy so I think we'll have his support.
Incidentally she's now saying a solicitor has told her my partner will be forced to give up his job as it involves working Saturdays and she's demanding every other weekend we have to have the kids now instead of every one at present (this currently is Saturday nights and all day Sunday till the evening- as I too work Saturdays)
Despite her changing her demand now - apparently we don't have the kids enough!
No court can force someone to quit their job can they?!
X

For goodness sake.


Stop panicking. £10 to a children's charity if you get a solicitors letter that actually says that.


Whilst it might be feasible for your partner to have the children on the weekend, your partner does not actually have to be there at all (though he may want to of course).


They are in his care at that time, however you could be the person to actually see to them.

Guest101

Homeownertobe wrote: »

Your post is not helpful to the OP. Please read the rules and learn to be nice to other moneysavers.

I think it's a perfectly valid comment.


Not one that the OP might like, but a reasonable question for sure!