Legal Question in Family Law in United Kingdom

Re: dispute

Hello. Thanks for your question to Law Guru.

As I understand it your partners ex. is now insisting upon meeting you and visiting your house to inspect the arrangements for her son's contact with your partner. You ask whether she is entitled to do so and whether you could be made to meet her and allow her into your house. The answer is a categorical No. You are under no obligation to meet her and you cannot be made to allow her into your house.

The difficulty however is that this insistence by her shows all the hallmarks of a developing dispute over contact between your partner and his sons mother. If it is at all possible this should be avoided and I am sure you will wish to play your part in avoiding a situation which although not your fault is bound to be unpleasant, stressful, and damaging for all involved not least the children.

My fear is that if you continue to refuse her request to meet and inspect your house, however unreasonable this may be, it could be used by her as an excuse to refuse contact. It would then be for your partner to apply to the court for a contact order. I have no doubt whatsoever that this would be granted but you would still be involved in the hassle and possible expense of having to make the application. The court process will take time during which you could be denied contact. Even if (and when) contact is ordered to be resumed, there can be real problems with enforcing the order if the child's mother continues to be obstructive.

It may very well go against the grain, and I accept fully that the request is probably unreasonable. However there are very real practical advantages in placating her and for the sake of the children and your partner agreeing to her request.