Hi skiblah
How dreadful for you, have a look at this website they give free legal advice http://www.communitylegaladvice.org.uk/ You can speak to them and get advice right here and now or you can get them to call you back.
I'm sorry I can't be much help with the legal side of things, hopefully the other site will be useful. Let us know if you get through and if they are useful. As Louise said, keep remembering that although you have worked for years to provide what you do for your children, warmth, love and safety are their essential needs.
Good Luck
Hello again Skiblah
Glad our comments helped. You're right Child Tax Credit does have a sudden "cut-off" to £10 a week, and if you're in this bracket then you also might be outside the community legal advice criteria for that website. Wow, I did not realise solicitors' fees were as high as that!
The disputes between you and the other parent are difficult for you but , as you say, seem to be characterised by personal revenge rather than a genuine desire to make sure the children are OK!
Glad you and the kids are safe and happy though and long may it continue! :D
Louise
Yeah, good luck skiblah, let us know how this progresses, it seems absurd to lose everything, just because you have to fight for everything you have worked for.
I wondered if it would be of any interest to hear from another solicitor? How well do you know yours? do you trust them? Because surely they will be rubbing their hands with glee that this is not resolved as soon as initially thought? This may be cynical of me, but surely if a settlement had already been agreed, then why should you have to pay more?
I may be well off the mark here, what are your options?
Thanks for the update skiblah. You sound exhausted. Try and look after yourself now and let us know how you get on. There is indeed nothing in the law to say the children will keep their home but you do have some strong arguments to put up. Wait till your solicitor gets back and try to take it easy in the meantime.
very best wishes
Louise
Hello skiblah
What a nightmare!!!! What does your solicitor say? Is there any way that the other parent can be forced to cover some of your costs, given that she has reneged on an agreement?
Re the children's home, when a decision is eventually made by the court, it will be made "in the best interests of the children". This will usually mean they can stay in the family home, but only if this is financially viable. Of course you do not want to lose their home, of course you don't BUT the most important thing is that they have love and care at home and if you had to move, you WOULD be able to provide this in a rented flat, you know you would.
As to maintenance, even if the children's mother is on benefits then you should receive £5 a week from her. Not much but bette than nothing. As you are caring for the children, you should also be receiving Child Benefit (non means tested) and Child Tax Credit (provided your annual income is less than £50k, which I am presuming it is!) Are you working at all? Can you claim Working Tax Credit?
Sorry not to give you more detailed information, but I would need to know more about the situation to be specific.
best wishes
Louise