Has anyone walked you through the process and what to expect?
If not, is there a way you can find out how things will work?
No, I had a chat to her today. She asked me to send any documents to her which I want her to consider. She said she will meet with the parents first and then decide what she wants to do thereafter.
What kind of information will the social worker have about your case before she meets?
She said, whatever we provide will be shared between parties.
I'm thinking:
- Parenting plan
- Family advocate report
- Response to Curator's report (ie rebuttal of sexual abuse allegations, including my mom's first hand testimony)
- Evidence of parenting alienation, described in line with jiu jitsu language a "coalition of disrespect and hate"
- Recording of ex going ape and swearing madly, with the children crying (not sure on this one, I included it in the family advocate pack, and the outcome was heavily in my favour)
- Affidavit where she admits to mental illness and abusing me and the children.
- Report by marriage counselor where ex describes her upbringing in a poor light (I want to highlight that the dysfunction is an extended family problem. (ie If everyone is like that my kids think it normal, to lie, hurt people, blame everyone else, and generally disrespect them). And she paints me in positive light.
- My sister's character reference.
Has your L given you any advice on how best to respond?
No, but the advocate said. If it goes badly, we'll cross that bridge. (Curator went badly - no-one was expecting that). So even if this specialist doesn't work out, she's a fighter and we'll figure out a different way.
I think her message was ":)on't F it up", rather than "this is how you do it". I learned from the curator experience (I didn't do particularly well - maybe said too much, came across too strongly). This is 6-8 week process, not a once off. I don't need to give all the meat at first. Maybe I should start with the bones and put flesh on the skeleton as we go (sorry terrible metaphor
A good way to start would be to forward all the info I sent to the family advocate in October. The outcome was very good there. and say there is additional detail should she require any clarification.
I've been really impressed by my advocate, she's been very demure in court, non-sensationalist, but her paperwork is immaculate. Extremely high quality affidavits including the one we responded to, on the curator's sexual allegations. The judges appreciate the thoroughness apparently. We got everything we wanted on Tuesday. Her quiet almost awkward demeanor hides some steel. It appears her reputation with the judges is impeccable.
Dare I hope for the best here, after 4 years of this nonsense?
