Hi,
Ive got 2 kids aged 5 and 3 years old. we live here in the dominican republic and their father lives in england. He's dominican and im british. He is named as the father on both kids birth certificates as we were married at the time of their birth however we were sepertated, we later divorced. Anyway he hasnt seen the kids in 3 years the youngest was a month old and neither kids remember him, i know that he is in england but do not know where and have no way of contacting him even if i wanted to. As i said he is named as father on both birth certificates which automatically gives us joint custardy of the kids. What i am asking is if i am able to get sole custady of the kids, and how do i do it? Does it take into accout the fact that he has nothing to do with them physically, emotionally or financially, and if i dont know where he is am i still able to do it. Like this i cant take them out of the country without his permission and i cant contact him to get it. i dont feel that he has a right towards them as he has abandonded them but if he comes into their life some day they have a right to make that decision themselves. All i want now is to havel sole responsibility for them (legally). Also is there anyway in which they can use just my surname? they have a double barrelled surname mine and his. Although this question isnt as importsant as the custardy question.
thanks in advance
xxx
Ive got 2 kids aged 5 and 3 years old. we live here in the dominican republic and their father lives in england. He's dominican and im british. He is named as the father on both kids birth certificates as we were married at the time of their birth however we were sepertated, we later divorced. Anyway he hasnt seen the kids in 3 years the youngest was a month old and neither kids remember him, i know that he is in england but do not know where and have no way of contacting him even if i wanted to. As i said he is named as father on both birth certificates which automatically gives us joint custardy of the kids. What i am asking is if i am able to get sole custady of the kids, and how do i do it? Does it take into accout the fact that he has nothing to do with them physically, emotionally or financially, and if i dont know where he is am i still able to do it. Like this i cant take them out of the country without his permission and i cant contact him to get it. i dont feel that he has a right towards them as he has abandonded them but if he comes into their life some day they have a right to make that decision themselves. All i want now is to havel sole responsibility for them (legally). Also is there anyway in which they can use just my surname? they have a double barrelled surname mine and his. Although this question isnt as importsant as the custardy question.
thanks in advance
xxx