It has no effect on the rights of property ownership, inheritance, custody, visitation of children, child support or similar legal matters. The Advocate will provide assistance in the development of the case history. A parish priest may also be helpful in the initial stage of the process. Since this is a canonical-legal process, proofs and evidence are required. It is a policy that a couple must be civilly divorced according to the laws of the state before the Tribunal will conduct a review.
Church law requires that a case be proven by documents and the supporting testimony of witnesses.
Witnesses are necessary for the Tribunal to gain a deeper understanding of the background and dating experience of both parties, the marriage, and the reasons for breakdown. Anyone who has known the parties well or for a long time may be a witness. The best witnesses are those who have known the former spouses since the time of courtship. Typically, parents, brothers and sisters, childhood neighbors or other relatives and friends make good witnesses. A minimum of three witnesses will be contacted by mail and asked to give their personal observations.