My DP discussed a summer holiday abroad with his ex earlier this year. She agreed and confirmed the dates before booking. It is all booked now.
The last court order made August 2021 includes equal division of all school holidays. Dates and times to be agreed between parents. He's been to court many times as mum has regularly breached, made accusations, etc etc. SD is 5, and the first court application was made when she was 8 months old. Currently things are okay, we've had no issues since last year and in fact she didn't breach this last Christmas for the first time meaning DP had his first Christmas eve/day with SD. So I was hopeful that she had finally been able to put SDs needs ahead of her own.
Now - to the issue. DP would like SDs passport so we have it for the travel agent who wants it scanning. We would also like it so we know it is in a safe place ready to travel. This is our first abroad holiday. We've only done UK holidays previously due to mums behaviour. However this time my dad is treating us all to the holiday. So we are obviously worried that she will ruin the family holiday due to her previous form.
Mum is refusing to hand the passport over until the night before holiday (when she says DP can collect my SD). She has just returned from holiday, so there is no genuine reason to refuse it. She isn't travelling anywhere. Both parents paid half towards the cost of the passport. We now travel in 5 weeks.
I have suggested to DP that instead of asking for the passport, that we ask to collect SD at a minimum the morning before we travel (so it has time to get to court before we fly if she refuses). But now I'm thinking maybe we should be more proactive by going to court if we can't get an agreement over the passport in the next week.
Also during the passport conversation tonight DP has also learned that SD is going to return from holiday with us at 4am (if not delayed!!!) and then fly back out later the same day to THE EXACT SAME DESTINATION! Mum has gone and booked a holiday last week without any discussion. DP knew she wanted to book another holiday but he didn't think she would do something like that!
I mean, why would you even do that?! It is stupid! If we get delayed then that is her holiday ruined, and the added stress on us at how she will punish us all if the flight was delayed (because she will). Also, poor SD is doing a 4 hour flight home followed by a 4 hour flight back to the same bloody Airport in the same day, with next to no sleep (she is 5!). Just why?!!!
So what should be the next steps beyond trying to negotiate with her?
The last court order made August 2021 includes equal division of all school holidays. Dates and times to be agreed between parents. He's been to court many times as mum has regularly breached, made accusations, etc etc. SD is 5, and the first court application was made when she was 8 months old. Currently things are okay, we've had no issues since last year and in fact she didn't breach this last Christmas for the first time meaning DP had his first Christmas eve/day with SD. So I was hopeful that she had finally been able to put SDs needs ahead of her own.
Now - to the issue. DP would like SDs passport so we have it for the travel agent who wants it scanning. We would also like it so we know it is in a safe place ready to travel. This is our first abroad holiday. We've only done UK holidays previously due to mums behaviour. However this time my dad is treating us all to the holiday. So we are obviously worried that she will ruin the family holiday due to her previous form.
Mum is refusing to hand the passport over until the night before holiday (when she says DP can collect my SD). She has just returned from holiday, so there is no genuine reason to refuse it. She isn't travelling anywhere. Both parents paid half towards the cost of the passport. We now travel in 5 weeks.
I have suggested to DP that instead of asking for the passport, that we ask to collect SD at a minimum the morning before we travel (so it has time to get to court before we fly if she refuses). But now I'm thinking maybe we should be more proactive by going to court if we can't get an agreement over the passport in the next week.
Also during the passport conversation tonight DP has also learned that SD is going to return from holiday with us at 4am (if not delayed!!!) and then fly back out later the same day to THE EXACT SAME DESTINATION! Mum has gone and booked a holiday last week without any discussion. DP knew she wanted to book another holiday but he didn't think she would do something like that!
I mean, why would you even do that?! It is stupid! If we get delayed then that is her holiday ruined, and the added stress on us at how she will punish us all if the flight was delayed (because she will). Also, poor SD is doing a 4 hour flight home followed by a 4 hour flight back to the same bloody Airport in the same day, with next to no sleep (she is 5!). Just why?!!!
So what should be the next steps beyond trying to negotiate with her?