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Divorce/separation

Here you'll find divorce help and support from other Mners. For legal advice, you may find Advice Now guides useful.

DCs 16 and 12 - living arrangements

5 replies

WinkyTinky · 11/03/2024 13:44

I'm sorry if this has been asked before, I'm sure it has, but do court orders for living arrangements for the kids only apply when they're very young? I'm hoping to move my situation on in the next few months (am determined to end my marriage but the usual guilt and overwhelm are slowing me down) and I want to know what to tell the kids when the time for the conversation comes around. By the time the divorce goes through, if I start it in the next few weeks/months, they will be 17 and 13. Can they decide what they want to do as to where they live and when they visit either me or their dad? Or will we be given a fixed EOW or 50/50 arrangement by the courts if DH and I disagree? I think I know the answer but just want to check as my mind is in bits.

OP posts:
FunLurker · 11/03/2024 15:41

The court date wouldn't be instant. They would let the 17 year old choose and listen to the 13 year old and normally side with the child. Please do what's right for the child and try not to make them choose.

WinkyTinky · 11/03/2024 17:59

Yes, I think I worded that badly. I would never want to make them choose between us, I just mean is it a formal arrangement or more casual as in they can see either of us whenever they want to?

OP posts:
Swl123 · 28/01/2025 13:46

After a bit of advise please 🙏🏻 I have a 13 year old son who has had no contact with his dad for 5 years. He has not tried to get in contact at all. I would like to receive the child maintenance but I’m worried he would take it to court for contact out of spite and I know my child would not want to see him. Is it a huge risk to do this. Would the court listen to a 13 year old

Talipesmum · 28/01/2025 13:48

Hi @Swl123 probably better to start a new thread for advice, this is an old one. Good luck.

Swl123 · 28/01/2025 13:49

Sorry that’s what I thought I had done 😂🤦🏼‍♀️🤦🏼‍♀️

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