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How to make arrangements for your children if you divorce or separate, mediation and how to apply for a court order if you cannot agree.

• Making child arrangements

  You can choose how to make arrangements for looking after your children if…

• If you agree on child arrangements

  You do not have to do any official paperwork if you agree about child…

• Make an agreement through mediation

  You can use a mediator to help you and your ex-partner agree on child…

• Other ways to agree without going to court

  There are other ways to help you agree on child arrangements outside of…

• If you cannot agree: court orders you can apply for

  If you’ve got help and still cannot agree then you’ll need to apply for a…

• Apply for a court order

  You must usually attend a meeting about mediation before you apply. This…

• After you apply for a court order

  The court may arrange a ‘directions hearing’ with both parents if you…

• Change or enforce an order

  You can change an existing court order or consent order. You can also ask…

Who has parental responsibility for looking after children, and how to apply for parental responsibility if you were unmarried to the mother or are not on the birth certificate

• What is parental responsibility?

  All mothers and most fathers have legal rights and responsibilities as a…

• Who has parental responsibility

  A mother automatically has parental responsibility for her child from…

• Apply for parental responsibility

  If you’re not the mother, you can apply to court to get parental…

Statistics relating to separated families and their child maintenance arrangements.

• Updated: 27 March 2025

Check you can end your civil partnership, agree or disagree with an application, what to do if your partner lacks mental capacity

How to work out splitting up money, property and possessions when you divorce or dissolve a civil partnership - including mediation.

How to get contact with your grandchildren if parents divorce or separate and will not let you see them: mediation, applying for a court order

You must usually tell the Home Office when you divorce or separate from your partner if your visa is based on your relationship

Ending a relationship and agreeing on money and property, child arrangements (sometimes known as 'custody', 'residence' or 'contact') and child maintenance

Statement and consent form to inform UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) that you are no longer in your marriage or civil partnership.

• Updated: 14 December 2015