For many people the months after Christmas are the most difficult of the whole year, particularly if they are going through a break up. Michael Lowry, retired head of our family law team, offers some advice.
January can be a challenging time: the excitement of Christmas seems a distant memory, days are short and the weather is usually terrible. Add to this the arrival of large credit card bills and the fact that Spring can seem a long way off.
No wonder then, that at this time of year newspapers are full of articles about what they label “Divorce Day”. Whatever the reason behind these statistics, those of us who practice in family law are very well aware of the stress and sadness experienced by the couples involved.
Although common nowadays, divorce remains one of the most stressful life events that people experience. At these times feelings and emotions can run high. Things can often be made worse by the anxiety of not knowing where to turn and what is going to happen next. For many people going through divorce all certainties are taken away. Basic issues such as where they are going to live, what they are going to live on and where the children will spend time can all go into the melting pot.
At these times people will be bombarded with advice from all sides; all of it well meaning but unfortunately much of it is misguided. Friends, family members and even the “man down the pub” all have an opinion and sometimes an axe to grind.
What is really needed at these times is advice and guidance from a true expert. Couples separating and divorcing need to instruct solicitors with real expertise and experience. The best outcomes are achieved when people turn to specialist solicitors who are immersed in the law and technical detail in relation to divorce and separation, but are also empathetic human beings who treat every case differently. There is never one answer, or one approach in all cases.
Taking the next step in the right direction is always a difficult decision, but a crucial one. Some cases are best referred to mediation, whereas others are better dealt with through negotiation or litigation in the courts.
A good starting point is to use a solicitor who is a member of Resolution, an organisation dedicated to resolving family disputes through a co-operative approach, designed to reduce conflict wherever possible. Better still is to instruct a firm of solicitors with decades of experience and knowledge, who have handled thousands of cases through difficult times, and came out the other side. At Stephens Scown all our family law solicitors are members of Resolution. We are also ranked in the top band in Cornwall by Chambers, the independent guide to the legal profession. We are here to help if you need us.