What to do when you child has been taken and access is denied?

Stop! Read this now. Your future self will thank you.

Your child's access to you has been restricted or denied. This is a terrifying and disorienting moment. Both of us ended up in court despite our best efforts to avoid it. Spoiler alert: court isn't as scary as it sounds, and I wish I had initiated proceedings sooner. From this moment on, every action you take may be used as evidence.

There is a chance this will end up in court. Every action you take—or don't take—could be used as evidence. Do not reward your ex-partner by giving them fuel for the fire. Stay calm and do not say or act in a way that makes you look like the irrational or aggressive parent.

From now on, it is your job to show and prove that you are the rational, calm parent who is always acting in the best interests of your child.

Dad's Guide to 50/50 Shared Care UK: How to Get Equal Time with Your Children ⚖️

Are you a UK father seeking 50/50 shared care of your children? Understand your rights, navigate the Family Court process, and learn how to secure a Child Arrangements Order even if mediation fails. Learn the truth about 'custody' and the Child’s Welfare Checklist.

dad outside court 50 50 child arrangement order


Your Rights and Shared Care in UK Law

The term 'custody' is outdated in UK family law. Today, the focus is on a Child Arrangements Order that determines who the child lives with and spends time with. For many dads, the goal is 50/50 Shared Care—equal time and commitment.

Question (Search Query) UK Answer (Brief)
Father 50 50 custody UK / Dad 50 50 This is legally known as Shared Care (or a Shared Lives With order). It means the child spends significant, often equal, time with both parents.
Does a father have 50 50 rights? No parent has an absolute "right" to 50/50 time. However, the law is gender neutral and courts work on the presumption that involvement of both parents is beneficial, provided it is safe and in the child's welfare.
Is joint custody 50/50? Joint Legal Custody (called Parental Responsibility, or PR) is very common. The time split (physical care) is decided on a case-by-case basis; it is not automatically 50/50.
What are the chances of dad getting 50 50 custody? Chances are good if you are an involved, capable parent, there is no history of harm, and the logistics (distance to school, homes) are manageable. The courts favour substantial time with both parents.
Why would a dad not get 50 50 custody? If there are proven issues of risk of harm (abuse, neglect), excessive parental conflict that directly impacts the child, or if the parents live too far apart to manage daily logistics.

The path to Shared Care requires strategy, often beginning with required negotiation, but sometimes demanding judicial intervention.

20 Best Halloween Films for UK Single Dads & Parents

Best Halloween Films for Kids & Families | UK Single Parents Guide A smiling single father and his two children (son and daughter) watching a Halloween-themed movie on a TV in a cozy living room. They are relaxing on a sofa with blankets and treats, with a large, glowing jack-o'-lantern on a table nearby. The room is decorated with subtle Halloween touches like fake spiderwebs and pumpkins, creating a warm, festive, and inviting atmosphere for a family movie night. The dad and kids are pointing and laughing at the television screen.

The Ultimate Halloween Movie Guide: 20 Best Rated Films for UK Single Parents

Are you a single parent looking for the perfect film to complete your family's Halloween night? Finding a **horror film for kids** that's fun, spooky, but not too scary can be tricky. You need a film that gets high marks from critics and fellow parents.

We've trawled the best of **IMDb** and **Rotten Tomatoes** to bring you the highest-rated **family Halloween films**. These movies are guaranteed to deliver an entertaining night in the **UK**, whether you're celebrating on the 31st or hosting a pre-Halloween weekend party.


Critically Acclaimed & Loved by Families

These films are the cream of the crop, with high scores that make them perfect for a fantastic, high-quality family film night.

  • 1. Coco (2017)

    Rotten Tomatoes: 97% | IMDb: 8.4/10

    A beautiful, colourful story about family and remembrance, set during Mexico’s Day of the Dead. It deals with ghosts and the afterlife in a heartwarming, emotional way.

Halloween Ideas for UK Single Dads

Halloween Ideas for UK Single Dads

Spooktacular Fun: Halloween Ideas for Single Dads and Their Kids (UK)

A single dad and his daughter, dressed in Halloween costumes, happily carving and painting pumpkins on a kitchen table.

Are you a single dad or separated parent looking for brilliant Halloween ideas? Don't worry if you don't have the kids on the 31st of October—Halloween is a season, not just a single day! You can always work around it. Have a pre-Halloween party a few days before or a special spooky decoration craft party on a weekend. These ideas are designed to be low-stress, high-fun, and a fantastic way for single parents to celebrate together.

The UK Dad's Guide to 50/50 Child Contact Schedules

Can a Dad have 50/50?

A joyful dad playing with his two young children in a park, representing a happy family relationship.

As a dad navigating separation, finding the right 50/50 child contact schedule is crucial for maintaining a strong relationship with your children. There is no single "best" schedule, as what works well depends entirely on your family's unique circumstances. There is no one-size-fits-all, so don't be afraid to create a schedule that works best around your children, your ex, and you. This guide explores the most popular equal parenting schedules and helps you understand which one might be the right fit for you.

The UK Dad's Guide to the C100 Form: Taking Control of Your Child Arrangements

Navigating the family court system can feel daunting, but for many UK dads fighting for fair and equal time with their children, the C100 form is the key to unlocking a court-ordered Child Arrangements Order. While the process requires careful thought, it is a proactive step that shows you are serious and committed to your child's welfare.

This guide will break down exactly what the C100 form is, how it fits into your journey for 50/50 shared parenting, and what you can expect after you submit it.

A C100 form and a judge's gavel on a desk, with a silhouetted family in the background, representing family court proceedings.

What is the C100 Form?

Simply put, the C100 is the formal application used to ask a family court to make decisions about a child's care and living arrangements. It is officially titled "Application under the Children Act 1989," and it is used to apply for one of three main types of orders:

How to Create a Fair and Equitable Child Arrangement Schedule in the UK?

It's your friendly dad here, and I want to talk about something that can be a real headache for a lot of us: getting a child arrangement plan sorted. My mate and I, who have both been through the UK family court process, know just how tricky it can be to get a fair and clear schedule in place. It's not just about what's fair for us as dads, but what's best for the kids, and having a good plan gives them the stability they need.

We're all about giving fathers' rights a good shake and making sure you have the tools to get the child access you deserve. That's why I'm chuffed to bits to share a fantastic new tool on our site. It's a completely free online tool designed to help UK parents, especially dads who are trying to navigate a child arrangements order.

Two Dads: Who we are

We are two dad's who have both gone through separation / divorce and have fought for equal time with our kids.

We share our learnings, what we would do now we know more with our experiences.

Our experiences are in the UK so some information will be UK specific.


two dads smiling

"If you've found this blog helpful, and you're in a position to, a small donation would mean the world. It helps us keep the site going, pay for the tools we use to make these resources, and ultimately helps us help more dads. You can buy us a virtual coffee here.☕" - All the best, John & Jim
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Disclaimer:

Please remember, this is based on our personal experience and is not a substitute for professional legal advice. For more details on this follow the link -  A Quick Note on Legal Stuff.
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