Absent Fathers Who Want To Be Present

24-Aug-2011 In the aftermath of the riots, politicians and commentators have pointed a finger at “absent fathers”. However, Lisa Kemp, Head of Family Law at Kuits Solicitors is keen to draw a distinction between those fathers who make a conscious decision not to be part of their children’s lives and those who have very little choice.

Lisa comments: “It is a child’s right to have contact with both parents and in an ideal world both parents would create superb role models for their child. However, we all know that the world isn’t so idealistic.

“There are cases where a father chooses not to play a role in their child’s life, thereby absolving themselves of their legal and moral duties, and this is clearly the group of fathers that David Cameron and others have been pointing the finger at. However, we mustn’t forget that there are other reasons why a father may be absent. There are those where the mother is justified in trying to prevent them from having contact with the child, because of previous abuse whether in the form of violence, drugs or alcohol. But there are also those fathers who want desperately to have a relationship with their children, but their former partner won’t allow it because of ill-feeling due to their relationship breakdown. The father’s only recourse in this scenario is the court.

“But court proceedings and legal advice costs money, which not all fathers have. Some fathers may previously have been able to access legal aid but less will now have access with the imminent cuts to legal aid for family cases. As a consequence we will see less fathers being a part of their child’s life following separation.

“Even where a father can pay the court and lawyers to ensure they have access to their children, there are instances where a mother will continually make it difficult for them. I have advised one such client for the past few years, where every time we have a victory in court the mother restricts his access to their child again. This continuing battle has taken its financial and emotional toll on this father to the point that he can no longer sustain the fight. Clearly this is no good for the father or the child.

“So as the Government looks to support families, following the riots, we ask them to look at how they can help fathers who want to play an active role in their children’s lives but are prevented by their former partners.”

For more information about separation and child issues contact Lisa Kemp

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