To get a divorce or a “Parental Rights and Responsibilities” order, your parents need to go to court. It can be a long process.  It starts when one of them files required papers with the court.  Then they meet with a court Magistrate to talk about the issues they need to decide.  If they need help to agree on things, they will see a court Mediator. Sometimes, if they can’t work out an agreement, they will have to ask the court to decide the things they disagree on.  Sometimes this court process takes only a few months. If there are many disagreements, or lots of issues to sort out, it can take much longer.

Children and teens usually don't have to go to court. However, someone who works for the court – or a “Guardian ad Litem” - might meet with you to find out what you want and what is best for you.  A Guardian ad Litem is a person hired by the court to find out more about your needs and report back to the court. Learn more about Guardian ad litems.