Divorce (No, not me!)

[Carolyn]

I've just heard from a lady that came over to Sweden about the same time most of us "founders" here did. Unfortunately, things are not working out for her and her husband, there is a child involved and he is not speaking with her at this time, other than to say divorce is no problem and they can just download the forms off the internet.

I know personally that when there is a child involved, it takes more than just downloading some forms and filing the papers. I believe there is even a period of counseling involved. Can anybody here give more information?

I don't know how good her Swedish is after three years, but can anybody also direct her where to go in the kommum (Skövde) to get the RIGHT information and see how she and her child are protected?

Anders has some info since he was divorced, but that was nearly 18 years ago so I'm sure some things have changed.

[Bunny]

Okay, I have just gotten through my divorce so I guess I have fresh info.
Here´s a link to some info in English : www.sos.se/FULLTEXT/0000-008/0000-008.htm
Forms can be found here (Blankett, Domstolsverket):
www.skarholmen.se/default_list_link.asp?page_id=10640
In my case my ex-husband agreed on who would take care of the kids and who was going to keep the apartment so there was no fuss about anything. We filled out the form together, sent it to Tingsrätten in Stockholm (in your friends case it should be Tingsrätten i Skövde, address can be found in the phonebook I guess). We included personbevis for us both and paid the fee on 450 kronor to Tingsrätten´s postgiro-number.
After 6 months had passed we sent in a letter, telling that we wanted to go through with our divorce and attached new personbevis for us both. 1 week after we were divorced.
I have no experience myself but I think you can contact Socialkontoret in your kommun and get help or at least they can answer questions. Försäkringskassan has to be informed so you can get the financial aid you have the right to, like child support and if your rent for the apartment is too high.

[Carolyn]

Thanks for the info, Bunny. I hope none of the rest of us need to use it, but I will forward it on to the lady in question. I know that she's concerned that she and her child won't be able to leave the country. They were married and the child was born in the US, but have been living in Sweden. I sure hope she can get some answers. What a dreadful Christmas present, huh?

Leslie, can we add some of this info on as a link somewhere?