Mediation

Before filing any application under the Children Act the applicant has to attend a Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting (MIAM) which is usually a complete waste of time and extends the stressful divorce battle period by some weeks. There are some exceptions to this, for example, where there is urgency or domestic violence that means when some women allege violence where there is none.

Indeed some unscrupulous solicitors have been known to push them towards that position. “It would help your case if your husband had been violent to you even just a slap. Has he?” leading the wife into the answer ‘Oh yes now you mention it’ etc etc.

Use modern technology in these relationships. Record, video film, on your iPhone keep a chronology, install CCTV.

In these cases things can get nasty and you may have to get your hands dirty but with the children at stake the option must be explored.

To avoid straying into legality however take expert legal advice from a specialist lawyer or solicitor at an early stage.

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