1. Decide whether to apply only for a divorce or add other issues

Before you apply to the court for a divorce, you have to decide whether to ask the court for:

• a divorce only, or
• a divorce and other things like decision-making responsibility, parenting time, child support, spousal support, and dividing property.

Decision-making responsibility and parenting time used to be called custody and access.

You can deal with your family law issues by making a separation agreement.

In family law, you must think about using alternative dispute resolution (ADR) or a family dispute resolution process to resolve your issues out of court if it’s suitable for you. ADR might not be right for you if:

• one person is afraid of another person because there is a history of family violence
• there are serious mental health or drug abuse issues

In those situations, you can go to court to deal with your family law issues when you apply for a divorce.

You may also choose to go to court if you want a court order that can be enforced. This means if anyone stops following the order, the court can order them to follow it.

There is no time limit to get a divorce. But there are time limits for other claims. For example, you have six years from the date you separate or two years from the date of your divorce to make a claim to divide property.