The New Year often means a new start with New Years resolutions being made. Many of us will think about what we want our lives to look like in the coming year and for some this means looking closely at their marriage or relationship. Data suggests the number of online searches for “divorce” usually peaks in January.
A search on Google does not necessarily mean a marriage will end in divorce but a search may suggest there are issues in a relationship which need to be resolved, perhaps through counselling.
If a decision is made to divorce this can be one of the most stressful and emotionally distressing times that we go through and it is, never a decision which can be taken lightly. It is not unusual to see a client several times over a number of months, and in some cases years, before they conclude that a divorce is the right option for them. It is right that they take the time they need to consider their options.
It remains regrettable that despite calls to reform the divorce law in this country, we currently still retain a fault based system. This forces the parties to raise allegations against each other, or wait until they have been separated for more than 2 years. This can cause additional stress which could perhaps be avoided if the fault based system were to be changed. Sadly, there are no plans to do so at present. Making suitable arrangements for children can be complicated and stressful if the parties cannot agree on what will be best.
It is well known that a divorce or separation can be costly. Often there will be costs of accommodation to find, for at least one party, there may be debts that need to be resolved and joint assets that need to be sold or transferred. There may also be legal costs to find.
It is essential to ensure that if you are considering a divorce that you seek legal advice at the earliest opportunity. This will help you to understand the options available and implications of any decisions which are made.
At Star Legal we have experienced family lawyers able to help you through this difficult time and to provide clear, practical advice on the options available in order to help you make the best decision for your family.
Zoe Sproull is a family lawyer who is based in our Portishead and Clevedon offices.