What Do Courts Do:

The court can make orders granting responsibilities and rights to your ex-partner and to other extended family members (grandparents etc)

The court can also decide things such as where your children should live and who they should stay with - these are called contact and residence orders

A residence order will set out where and with whom your child should live

A contact order sets out who your child should stay in tough with - this could be your ex-partner of your children or extended family. It can also specify where, when and how often the contact should take place

The court can also decide on specific issues if you and your ex-partner cannot agree on a matter concerning your children which is not related to contact or residence