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

athensgeorgia

I would make an appointment with a solicitor who specialises in family issues and take it from there. The whole court process can be long and intricate and even though the courts made the process of arranging contact easier so a person can act for themselves your OH's situation is a bit more complicated and would involve far more work. It certainly won't be dealt with overnight.

I note you said your OH raised the 13 yo from birth and he's taken his name, is your OH on his birth certificate?

ETA: Forget that about the birth certificate I just realised the child is 13 and the rules didn't come in until December 2003 so probably just missed it.

RAS

You are going to need all your ducks in a row but if what you and OH can offer is better than what they have at mum's there is a decent chance.

So you need to sort out Saturdays; whether it is a baby sitter or scheme or a relative on one side of the family? And think about what happens if either child is off sick.

The eldest would be judged Gillick competent and it may actually be easier for him to choose to stay with you than the biological child.

Make sure you or even preferably he speaks to his father before things hit the fan.

determined ms has given you contacts and advice. Given mum's volatility, you probably need get it all in place, take some leave and then go for it.

Do expect some fairly difficult behaviour from both lads once they move from being visitors to being resident.

You will also need to think about finances; check out https://www.turn2us.org.uk in case you can get any CTC. If one of you can drop some hours it may well help the lads settle in.

c0c0nuts

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pigpen

you can do it without solicitors.. and he can simply refuse to go back to his mothers there is absolutely nothing she could do to force him to.. if he chooses to do that he needs to remove anything he wishes to keep from her house or he will likely never see it again.

My friend walked out to school aged just turned 14 and never went back home.. they won't force him.. you then wont need a solicitor he can just say no, SS use their own legal team. And if he is saying no they wouldn't force the younger one back either.

RAS

pigpen is right about the older boy; even though he is not your OH's biological son, he would be allowed to choose who he lived with. It would also be a very good idea to encourage him to keep treasures at your house.

I would be a little careful just yet in telling the children what you plan. Life is hard enough being torn apart without trying to keep a secret as well.

You mention your own son? How do you think the three boys would cope together?

c0c0nuts

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