aussiepom101

Hi, I'm new to the site and so pleased to have found it!! I am an Aussie that moved to the UK 13 years ago (i have dual citizenship with ireland-Australia), but now wanting to return to Australia with my 3 year old (soon to be 4). My son will have the right to an Australian passport through decent, but his father still has parental responsibility so i presume i still have to go through the usual process?? Most of my family still live in Australia and I miss them terribly. My son has a fantastic relationship through skype, emails and letter with those in Australia and I feel life has more to offer us both in Australia. I need the help and support of my family as I do not have any support network in the UK (other than amazing friends that is!!). My Son sees his father once a month. He has relocated some 3 hours away from my son and has a new relationship and a new child (so a half sibling to my own son). My ex husband is bound to say no, when I ask for his permission to leave. So I want to be prepared as best I can for the process and application. Does anyone have any specific help they could offer? Does a CAFCAS officer get involved in the case when the child is this young? (will be just turned 4) I am hoping to start my son in primary school in Australia Jan 2015 for his prep year, so I would hope to have leave granted before he would be due to start the school process here in the UK in sep 2014. Is this unrealistic/ too soon to hope that the application process would take? I obviously can offer the usual things such as skype, emails and letters to my son's father to continue their relationship. However visits back to the UK will be an issue financially - how have people dealt with this?!? It is unrealistic to suggest a visit back each year or alternate years with my ex (he has his new 'family', and being a single parent of a young child finances are a challenge enough!) Over the 13 years I have lived in the UK I have only been able to travel back to Australia for visits twice. What happens with Child maintenance if i manage a successful application? Could i suggest any child maintenance payments continue to be paid into a UK account to fund flights for visits? That would encourage his involvement too. Sorry for the dozens of questions!!