can someone please give me a quick heads up on parental responsbility , financial matters etc?

[lisalisa]

I am looking for info please on parental responsbility in divorce. In the old days of custody I nkow the mum used to get custody more or less automatically provided she wanted it and was basically ok with no drug etc issues and fathers would get visitation rights.

Now I understand its completely different so what is the natural leaning of the courts tehse days? And with the shared custody I have heard about does that mean the parents have to make equal decisions about just about antyhing? How does it work please?

Also , financially, is it true that on divorce the man has to put the woman in the position she is in prior to divorce financially so he can't make a case she shoudl live more frugally/without help/work longer hours etc ?

thanks all

shameless bump as it has already fallen off active convos

Sadly I am in this position too. Another MNer recommended Gingerbread to me. Phoned them last week and they were really helpful. Knew the answers to all my questions. Unlike CAB who were really NOT good. Good luck.