third party

[momof6]

The ocl recently recommended third party access. The meeting got heated and nobody thought to ask what exactly this means.

Dad lives 45 min away and does all the driving. Currently pick up kids in ex's driveway but her new partner is helping her create hell, hence we went to court as she would not agree to a neutral location exchange place.

Does anybody have any idea what she meant by third party access?

[Rioe]

I think that's where a neutral person acts as a go-between for access. So this person would pick up the children from the ex, and the Dad would get them from the person. That way ex and Dad never have to interact.

[wretchedotis]

I would think it's more like a third party must be present for access exchange. Someone that both (hopefully) agree on, and can bear witness to any shenanigans that might occur. It's not a bad thing, but a nuisance to arrange as now you would have to have someone else coordinate pick up/drop off with as well.
If conflict is that extreme maybe go with Rioe's answer.

[TLCRN]

you can have friend bring the children to Tim Horton or public place for your ex to pick up the children and bring them back; or you bring the children and the ex has a friend pick them up.
Some School Boards looked at implementing a policy where exchange cannot be done on the school property, this way school staff are not involved or staff witness. They see to many parents arguing, not only at the main office but in the parking lot where other kids witness too much.

[Tayken]

The ocl recently recommended third party access. The meeting got heated and nobody thought to ask what exactly this means.

Dad lives 45 min away and does all the driving. Currently pick up kids in ex's driveway but her new partner is helping her create hell, hence we went to court as she would not agree to a neutral location exchange place.

Does anybody have any idea what she meant by third party access?

Generally the court will force parents who live a distance apart to meet in the middle. Most Section 30 evaluators will too. Surprised that OCL doesn't follow the same pattern but, OCL is a hit-and-a-miss at times from what people report.

You can always go back to court and seek an order setting the details of the exchange location and how the exchange is supposed to happen. Also, you can ask OCL to clarify their stance.

Good luck!
Tayken

[momof6]

We were wondering if it would be possible to ask that the ex have a friend meet us at neutral location for exchanges as we cannot always find a neutral party to drive all the way to get/drop off the kids. Does this seem reasonable?

Our lawyer told us the judge would not even look at splitting the driving as it was my husband who moved away from the "marital town" for employment.

[Tayken]

We were wondering if it would be possible to ask that the ex have a friend meet us at neutral location for exchanges as we cannot always find a neutral party to drive all the way to get/drop off the kids. Does this seem reasonable?

Our lawyer told us the judge would not even look at splitting the driving as it was my husband who moved away from the "marital town" for employment.

Hi,

Your lawyer is correct. When a parent leaves the jurisdiction it becomes that parent's responsibility. It is unfortunate that the other parent isn't supportive of his relationship with their children and meet half way.

You may want to make that argument in any motion possibly.

Good luck!
Tayken