Three things to know if you're a parent
We all hope our relationships will last, but sometimes they don't.
Ending a relationship can be hard. And it will be harder if you have children.
Who will look after them? How much contact will you have with them?
When you get divorced
1. You can have contact with your child
As a parent, you can have contact with your child—as long as it's the best thing for them. Try to agree with your partner and child how much contact you have and when you spend time together.
2. You can agree with your partner about where your child is going to live
You could ask your child where they want to live and how much time they want to spend with each of you. You and your partner might agree to your child's wishes. Or you might agree to handle things another way in your child's best interests.
3. You can get help to reach agreement
If you and your partner can't agree where your child is going to live, think about seeing a mediator. A mediator could help you avoid going to court, and save you time and money. Mediation alone is sometimes enough to resolve a dispute. Or mediation can cut down the time you need to spend in court.
Read more about family problems.
To find out who can give you legal advice, see our types of lawyers page.
For free advice on family law or child law, call Corum Children's Legal Centre.
Legal Choices law dictionary
Need help understanding other terms that come up when getting divorced? Try the new Legal Choices law dictionary.
Your Comments
For help with legal costs, see our costs page: http://www.legalchoices.org.uk/legal-choices/money-talks/
No children. No savings.
One property.
Been 100 mls apart for 17months. Both parties in agreement.
How I we get divorced
Have you tried to get a copy of your decree absolute or final order? You can order one via the below link.
https://www.gov.uk/copy-decree-absolute-final-order
Many thanks
Legal Choices
I don’t think my ex-husband will object to it.
Essentially you can apply for divorce online, please see some listed links below which may be of use.
https://www.gov.uk/apply-for-divorce
https://www.gov.uk/divorce/file-for-divorce
Thanks
Legal Choices Team
Thank you
.. that solicitor has moved now..how can I get my divorce absoluted
Hi Jennine,
There is some useful information here:
https://www.gov.uk/divorce/apply-for-a-decree-absolute
Thanks
Legal Choices Team
Hi Gary,
Unfortunately, we are not able to provide legal advice on specific situations.
If you want to get some free legal advice about your situation from a solicitor, you might be able to get some support from a Law Works clinic. These are free legal advice surgeries run at different locations across the country, where solicitors provide their time for free.
Your nearest Citizens Advice service might also be able to help.
If you are interested in talking to a solicitor about your rights and next steps, one place to start from might be using the Law Society’s free ‘Find a solicitor’ website. You can search for law firms that specialise in a particular area and in a certain postcode area.
Many solicitors and law firms will agree to a free initial meeting to discuss some of the key facts about your legal problem, and they can then work out whether they can help you. It is worth asking if they will meet you for free up-front if you contact any law firms.
Thanks Legal Choices
Hi Julie,
You can change your name using Deed Poll:
https://www.deedpoll.org.uk/introduction/
https://www.deedpoll.org.uk/?gclid=CjwKCAjw9dboBRBUEiwA7VrrzW49-p5xP-FVPs6MKYRA806L0VkiDKpXxeGkutPkDrjhQx58YEB_7BoC9mMQAvD_BwE
Thanks
Legal Choices Team
Hi Maureen,
Unfortunately we are not able to provide legal advice for certain situations, you may want to seek professional legal advice. Please see other comment responses on this page for more information.
Thanks
Legal Choices Team
Hi Sara,
Essentially you can apply for divorce online, please see some listed links below which may be of use.
https://www.gov.uk/apply-for-divorce
https://www.gov.uk/divorce/file-for-divorce
Thanks
Legal Choices Team
He left us two years ago and has very sporadic contact with our son( maximum twice a year- for a week) as he lives in Scotland now.I'm considering moving to another country( my country of birth) with my seven year old son.
What rights do I have if dad opposes this.
My reason for moving is to get family support.
Any legal issues I need to be aware of?
Many thanks.
Hi JoJo,
There is some helpful information here, that may be of use:
https://www.gov.uk/permission-take-child-abroad
Thanks
Legal Choices Team
Hi Claire,
Unfortunately we are not able to provide legal advice, but we can sign-post.
There will be a whole host of things you will need to think about - it might be worth you getting some legal advice.
If you are interested in talking to a solicitor about your rights and next steps, one place to start from might be using the Law Society’s free ‘Find a solicitor’ website. You can search for law firms that specialise in a particular area and in a certain postcode area.
Many solicitors and law firms will agree to a free initial meeting to discuss some of the key facts about your legal problem, and they can then work out whether they can help you. It is worth asking if they will meet you for free up-front if you contact any law firms.
You could also look at the information provided on gov.uk below:
https://www.gov.uk/permission-take-child-abroad
Thanks
Legal Choices Team
Unfortunately l have no idea where she lives now and have no means of contacting her at all
What can l do?
Hi Roland
This might be of use:
https://www.gov.uk/divorce-missing-husband-wife
Thanks
Legal Choices Team
I'm married for 20 years now with two children 15 and 16. In past three years my husband took one wife divorced her and now he has taken another. I'm unhappy because he did this without my knowledge and has put the children and me in financial duress. Can I use bigamy as a ground for divorce from him and secure my children and myself from this mess? And what is our UK law on polygamy?
Thanks
Hi Rizwana,
You may need official legal advice on this. See information below that may be useful:
https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/sn05051/
If you are interested in talking to a solicitor about your rights and next steps, one place to start from might be using the Law Society’s free ‘Find a solicitor’ website. You can search for law firms that specialise in a particular area and in a certain postcode area.
Thanks
Legal Choices Team
We are currently living under the same roof, our property is joint however it has always been me who paid the deposit and I pay the mortgage monthly. Now he wants 50% of the property share however he has not invested in the property at all compared to me.
Therefore i would like to know if I have to give him a share and if so what percentage will this be?
Thank You
Hi Shukla,
Unfortunately, we are not able to provide legal advice on specific situations, but we can sign post. This might be something you need to get legal advice on.
If you want to get some free legal advice about your situation from a solicitor, you might be able to get some support from a Law Works clinic. These are free legal advice surgeries run at different locations across the country, where solicitors provide their time for free.
Your nearest Citizens Advice service might also be able to help.
If you are interested in talking to a solicitor about your rights and next steps, one place to start from might be using the Law Society’s free ‘Find a solicitor’ website. You can search for law firms that specialise in a particular area – for example, clinical negligence – and in a certain postcode area.
Many solicitors and law firms will agree to a free initial meeting to discuss some of the key facts about your legal problem, and they can then work out whether they can help you. It is worth asking if they will meet you for free up-front if you contact any law firms.
Thanks
Legal Choices Team
Hi Dee,
Please see previous responses above, you may need to seek legal advice.
Thanks
Legal Choices Team
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