Children
A form is sent to the Court with the divorce petition, which will outline the arrangements relating to the children. The law encourages couples to try and agree those arrangements. The person filing the petition usually completes the form (known as “Statement of Arrangements”). Preferably, it should be sent to the other spouse before it is filed. If agreement is not reached, this does not prevent the divorce from proceeding.
What normally happens with regard to the children?
If agreement has been reached, the District Judge is unlikely to interfere.
If agreement has not been reached, the District Judge may ask the petitioner and the respondent (accompanied by their solicitors) to attend an informal appointment to explore a solution to the difficulties. The District Judge may also ask for a Court Welfare Officer to become involved. If a solution cannot be reached, this will delay the application for the final decree of divorce.
A parent can ask for contact arrangements to be put into place, as can grandparents.
