Ask a solicitor: The relationship with my spouse has completely broken down

If your spouse is choosing access times unilaterally, you are entitled to seek formal arrangements.

Dear Karen, 

I am separating from my spouse after a long marriage. We have one teenage child. For the last year, communication between us has completely broken down. My spouse has now moved out, and I am trying to understand what rights I have in relation to access, housing and day-to-day finances. At the moment, my spouse is insisting on seeing our child only when it suits them and is refusing to contribute towards expenses. I do not want matters to escalate, but I need clarity on what I can do next and what the law allows.