Residence Orders in the UK

[misspins]

If I were to obtain a residence order for my two children in England, would this mean that if their father refused to return them after contact, I would be able to ask the police to enforce the order and help me bring the children home?

[cathfromsaron]

that is the idea, and their passports may be restricted!

does your husband live abroad?

[misspins]

he is my ex husband and no he lives in England too. I just needed to be sure as I know the restrictions on going abroad and name changes, but wasn't sure about how it could be enforced and whether that was the case

[EDDIE51]

If you have residency then your ex needs permission to take the children out of the UK even for a day trip.
If the children are removed from the UK illegally then the police and the British embassy / consulate/ high commision in the place where they have been taken will work to get them back. This is one of the few situations where you can still get legal aid for family law cases.

[misspins]

Many thanks for your answers, I have had legal aid in the past for a case with my ex husband but I know they have changed the rules a lot since then. I was looking into it more for protection of the children and ensuring they would be returned home should he be allowed contact. I don't have any worries about him leaving the country, but my new partner is in the forces and should he be posted overseas, a residence order may mean we wouldn't be able to go with him as my ex husband would never give his permission for it. I shall mull it over x

[EDDIE51]

Yes it applies both ways , you would need permission to take them abroad . But a judge would look favorably on your situation where you are accompanying your partner on a posting , than if you just decided to move abroad. In your case it would be temporary as you would come back at the end of the deployment.

[misspins]

thank you eddie, on one hand it seems quite a lot of hassle but on the other hand it's the level of protection the children have, all has been quiet so far, here's hoping he is bored of it all already and we can carry on as we were before :) x