Defined Contact Order - can he drag it out ?

[Sapphirefling]

I have applied for a defined contact order to try and reduce the amount of control ex exerts over his contact.
Want to get fixed pick up and drop off times for alternate weekends, midweek 1 evening, and half school holidays.
My solicitor assures me that it will be fairly straightforward. Ex has a history of violence against me and one of the children and I have an occupancy order in place. No NMO as I had to supervise his contact for a period.

But I know how he operates and how he manipulates. It took 3 court hearings to get the occupancy order in place - he showed up without representation, then refused to co operate at all but was told at the second hearing to reappear at a third when the order would be granted.

So my question is, given that he wants midweek overnight but lives 90 miles away, and wants flexible pick up times, spring schedules and winter schedules to fit in with his corporate dos and his girlfriends work, how much leeway will he have to object/appeal/manipulate ?

I am exhausted. I need my life back and I need routine and structure. I have never ever stopped him from seeing the kids, even when police and SS stipulated supervised contact only.

Is there potential for this to become a huge battle? Thank you. Feeling really, really fragile so please be gentle

[cestlavielife]

How old are the dc ? 90 'miles is quite a trek mid week. to get to school

[Sapphirefling]

All under 10 - solicitor seems to think it's not going to be an issue - he has dropped them off late and tried to drop them off with the caretaker before school opens when he has to be at meetings. He hasn't had them overnight midweek since the assault on the eldest.

[cestlavielife]

Does eldest want contact ? Is it safe for unsupervised and overnights ?

[Sapphirefling]

Yes she wants contact. And I want them to have a great relationship with their dad. SS have worked with him and whilst 'I' cannot say that he will never hurt them again, SS say that he can have unsupervised contact (this has been reintroduced over the past few months) So that is my starting point. I just want to try and make this as smooth as possible. But he is a master of control and I want to prepare myself for how far he will be 'allowed' to go to object ? (Because he will object even if there is nothing to object to)