Can I call the police if my ex won't let me see my child in the UK?

Asked by: Mina Marquardt  |  Last update: June 29, 2025
Score: 5/5 (45 votes)

If both parents have parental responsibility then the police have no powers to remove the child, unless there is a concern for the child's safety. However, the police will conduct a welfare check on your child to confirm that the child is fit and well, if there are concerns regarding their wellbeing.

What to do if your ex won't let you see your child in the UK?

Just go to the county court and get yourself a court order entitling you to access to the kids. Then if she breaches it YOU can bring this back to court to have HER punished for breach.

Can my ex stop me from seeing my child in the UK?

Your ex-partner should not, therefore, stop you from seeing your child unless there are welfare reasons to do so.

Can a mother legally stop a father from seeing his child in the UK?

A mother cannot stop a father seeing his child unless the court orders to do so.

Can I take my ex to court for not letting me see my child?

Yes, the courts will enforce the visitation order. You will need to file a motion for contempt of court. This motion states the other parent is violating the court's custody order, which is illegal.

What To Do If Your Ex Won't Let You See Your Child UK?

37 related questions found

Can I call the police if my ex won t let me see my child in Texas?

In Texas, visitation disputes are generally considered civil matters rather than criminal offenses. As a result, the police are typically reluctant to intervene in cases where a parent is denied visitation by their ex-partner. However, there are some circumstances where involving law enforcement may be necessary.

Can you sue someone for not letting you see your child?

But unless a judge approves your settlement agreement and makes it part of a court order, the only way to enforce the agreement—say, when the other parent keeps a child from seeing you at agreed-on visitation times—would be to sue for breach of contract.

Can a child be forced to visit a parent UK?

The consent of both parents and the child is required. The courts may intervene to enforce visits depending on the child's age, any safety concerns, and whether there is a court order in place. If the child is above the age of 16, the court will not normally intervene to enforce visitation.

What to do if father doesn't want to see child?

Discuss the situation with the other parent. They may not realize the negative impact that their behavior is having on the child. Assure the other parent that your motive is to co-parent in a way that is in the best interest of the child. If your communication attempts with the other parent fail, let it be.

Can a mother terminate a father's parental rights UK?

Terminating parental rights for a father will only be allowed by the court under exceptional circumstances and with the child's best interests in mind.

Can I call the police if my ex won't let me see my child in Scotland?

If you have genuine welfare concerns – serious ones – it's in the best interests of your children to give them a call so the police can do a welfare checklist. They do have the power to remove children from parents if there is a serious and imminent danger or else if they have a court order that tells them to do so.

Can the police help me get my child back?

Law enforcement does have the legal right to enforce a child custody order; however, custody disputes are usually considered a civil matter and the police might refuse to get involved. Child custody issues can become very complicated, and there is no one correct answer to all situations.

Do I have a right to know who my ex brings around my child?

You may be wondering if you have the right to know who your ex is bringing around your child. In general, no. The other parent can decide who is around your child when they have custody without your input. You typically cannot tell your ex that they need to prohibit certain people from hanging around your child.

Can my ex legally keep my child from me?

If you have a custody and visitation order, your ex can't stop you from seeing your child. Failure to pay child support is not a legal reason to refuse child visitation. You can ask the family court to modify the custody agreement to change your visitation schedule.

How much does it cost to go to court for child custody in the UK?

Court Costs

These costs include application filing fees, hearing fees, and other administrative charges. The exact amount you will need to pay will depend on your specific situation but generally speaking, these fees range from £50 – £500 depending on the complexity of your case.

How long does a father have to be absent to be considered abandonment UK?

Therefore, there is no time limit as to how long a father must be absent to lose his parental responsibility in respect of his child, whether it be weeks, months or even years.

What is it called when a parent keeps a child from the other parent?

Parental alienation is a strategy whereby one parent intentionally displays to the child unjustified negativity aimed at the other parent. The purpose of this strategy is to damage the child's relationship with the other parent and to turn the child's emotions against that other parent.

How long does a father have to be absent to lose his rights in Georgia?

The parent has willfully failed to comply with a decree to support his or her child for 12 months or longer. A child is abandoned by his or her parent.

What looks bad in a custody battle?

Bad-mouthing your ex-spouse or engaging in verbal or physical altercations with them in front of a judge looks bad. If your children are present, it looks even worse. Judges understand that tempers run high during custody cases, but lack of self-control will not reflect favorably.

Can I call the police if my child refuses to come home?

Is it possible to call the police on your own child if they run away and refuse to come home? What actions can the police take in this situation? Your child is a run away, call it in as such. If you know where they are let the police know as well, it's against the law to harbor a run away.

What happens if my child doesn't want to see his father?

Sometimes, with older children who refuse visitation, it may not be considered the parent's fault if the visit didn't happen. But if a child continually refuses to follow the visitation schedule, regardless of the child's age, then a parent may decide to get the court involved through contempt proceedings.

How often should a co-parent call their child?

Unless there is a specific need, parents should not initiate a call or text to their children more than one time a day while they are in the other parent's custody. It is understandable to miss the child, but co-parenting requires respect for the child's time with the other parent.

Who wins most child custody cases?

It is true that mothers typically HAVE custody of their children, but that's mostly because the men take off. Statistically, in the US, when a man asks for shared custody, he gets it, and in cases where men go to court to get full custody, they get it a majority of the time.

Can I sue my child's father for emotional distress?

U.S. courts recognize emotional distress as a type of damage that can be awarded to a plaintiff via a civil lawsuit. Learn more about what you can sue someone for. Emotional distress damages fall under the legal umbrella of pain and suffering — another legal concept that is classified as non-economic damages.

What not to say during a custody battle?

Avoid cursing and putting down the other parent, your children, in-laws, and other family members, the mediator, the judge, and others involved in the process. That can be tricky when sensitive topics, such as substance abuse, are at play.