You need to get some legal advice, if money is an issue you can contact the Law Institute of Victoria.  They will provide you with a referral and then that entitle you to have a free 1/2 hour consultation with one of many lawyers they refer to.

Babies need their Dad's just as much as their Mum's.

Good luck and hope this is of some help.

From what I understand, without a court order or AVO, your wife has no right to stop you having access to your children.  Check out this site for Family Relationship Services Australia and see if you can get a mediator/counsellor to take on your case.  I wouldn't discuss it with your wife, things may get nasty if she realises that you are trying to excercise your rights as a parent, let the experts handle it. 

I don't know what the family court is like in your area but the ones I have been to (Newcastle, Sydney) have been in favour of both parents in regards to access. My solicitor even had to fight to try and stop a man from having visitation to his kids who was on trial for murdering two of their siblings. As far as I am aware it is extremly hard for one parent to get full custody of the Children and the other parent not have visitation. What I would do whislt waiting for the court is  (Do you have a mutual friend or family member she would trust?) Suggest that she take the kids to a place where you are all familiar with where you could see the kids for 1/2 an hour to an hour. I know it is not ideal for you but at least you will get to see your kids and build a bit of trust if it goes well untill court. Good Luck and please what ever you do don't give up on your kids!

You have equal rights to meet the childrens as your wife. Till the court declares the rights you should be allowed to  see your kids. You should in some or the away involve the police or an lawyer to sort out the issue.

And also you  can try meeting them in the school during the school hours.

The first thing I believe you should do is to get a lawyer, and petition for access to the children whilst awaiting your court date. Her hostility probably stems from you hurt her - she wats to hurt you.

Another option is mediation in the Family Court system.

Hope this helps,

grannyjack.

Hey there,

I dont wish to scare you, but i have a friend who has been to hell and back again trying to get access to his kids.. she told a huge amount of crap about him to cousellors at community connections etc and they even wrote a letter based only on what she said to say that its in the childrens best interest that they dont have any contact with their dad at all!! Honestly, dont give her any reason to get a restraining order on you.. my friend figured out only approaching her could make that happen depending on what she relayed to the police as her version of the story. He is basically goin on over a year and a bit not having seen his kids at all and even having to get legal advice to send a letter to them to let them know he cares which i think hes been refused also.. He was diagnosed with depression and this is what she based her restrictions on.. honestly i dont believe when he goes to court next that he will be refused access but hes already gone thru 3-4 adjournments and its really hard on him.

Sadly she cannot be forced and anything you do will go against you, write down all you can recall, conversations, events and any written evidence that shes keeping the children from you.. have you called her and asked to see the children? is there a rock solid conversation  that indicates that she is keeping them from you.. the court will frown on it and remind her that restricting contact without any threat to the kids prominant is grounds for removing custody of the kids and placing them in the care of a parent that caters to the needs of the children by allowing access to both parents.. basically a good solicitor is your best bet..

All the best from Mel

1. Seek legal advice. Most communities have a free legal advice service you can access.

2. Most communities also have a family mediation centre that can help you sort things out with her.

3. If there is no other way that she will come to the party, a family court order will force her to allow your children to see you. If she doesn't comply, she will be in contempt of court - which is not a light charge to have upon one's head!

It may seem harsh to take legal action to make sure you and your children still have a good relationship, but if she is hostile for no good reason, then I'm sorry but she deserves it. It's not about you or her, it's about the rights of the children to have a relationship with both parents.

It's all about the kids.