New Year Divorces

In the UK, approximately 40% of marriages end in divorce, this can occur at any time, but there are two pivotal points in a Divorce Solicitors' calendar –September and just after Christmas.

Statistics show that after Christmas and the end of summer can signify the end of a relationship, with divorce enquiry rates rising sharply on January 10th and September 30th.

Tensions at both times of the year can become heated and fraught, it is a time when routines are off-balance and families are thrown together for intense periods. For some, this can signal a time of joy, but for others, it brings a period of such intensity that fragmented feelings and emotions begin to surface.

Holidays can often highlight the realisation of how family life ‘should’ be, leaving some partners wanting different things from their marriages. If there are already substantial cracks in a relationship, this expected ‘happy’ time can magnify and shine a light on the struggling situation, with many realising their marriage has most definitely come to an end.

We see an influx of caseloads during certain times of the year when strains in the marriage have hit boiling point. When we see people at this stage they are often in shock, so we offer a ‘Next Steps in Divorce Appointment’. The idea of this is for the client to send information in advance of the appointment via a questionnaire so that by the time they speak to one of our lawyers we have read through everything, and we fully understand their circumstances.

This process really helps to alleviate some of the stress of our clients who are still emotionally struggling. We see many instances post-holiday when one spouse has advised the other during the holiday period that the marriage is over, and in some cases a spouse has asked the other not to tell the children until they are home, elevating the stress factors further until the family return home.

Whatever the time of year, early access to legal advice from an experienced family law lawyer is key so individuals can seek legal advice on the best way forward for them. A ‘Next Steps’ appointment for those who are separating is vital so the team can go through what they are entitled to, explain the basic law and where the team think their case would settle.

There is a lot to take in and it’s vital that we explain their rights. When many come to see us they are terrified they might lose their home overnight. We run through their rights under The Matrimonial Home Act and explain how to preserve their position and also how to protect joint bank accounts.

We look at everything from how to prevent their partner from selling a house from under them if their name isn't on the deeds, going through advice on pensions, how to obtain enough money to maintain a household, either their own or the other party’s.

With the new No Fault Divorce now in play, things have changed hugely, and if one spouse is on the receiving end of a divorce, they can no longer stop or slow down the process. It places parties under a huge amount of pressure to reach a settlement faster than usual. With many more people blindsided by the speed of the process, obtaining the right legal advice early is crucial.

Choosing the right divorce lawyer is critical. The period around a divorce will be an emotional and sensitive time, so it will be vital to develop a trusting working relationship with your lawyer. Emmersons is an award-winning local family Law Firm specialising in divorce, offering Divorce Solicitors in both Sunderland and Newcastle, with the capacity to represent clients based all over the UK and Expats living abroad.

The team at Emmersons Solicitors understand that the breakdown of a marriage or relationship can be a very difficult time. For that reason, we provide you with a sympathetic but practical approach to help you deal with the sensitive issues affecting you and your family.

There are occasions when divorce may have been in the pipeline for a while. Breaking the news to children will never be an easy conversation and may come as a huge shock to them.

When children are in the mix, our Family Lawyers and Divorce Law Specialists assist with children’s matters and can go through things such as how to arrange for the children to see our client if the other party has taken the children. Through to where a child will live, how often they see both of their parents, where they will stay during holidays etc. We also regularly act for grandparents who wish to see their grandchildren.

No matter how difficult the situation is, with our assistance, it can be resolved. At times we are a pivotal emotional support and try to make clients feel comfortable and someone to fall back on. The aim is to offer the best possible advice and deal and not just go along with the other party’s suggestion of what is a reasonable settlement.

We are there to help with emotional and legal support and to get people through this difficult time and to help them move on with their life. I remember one of the happiest moments in my career was to say hello to a former client when I saw them in a shop. They didn't have a clue who I was, and it made me happy because they had moved on, and I was but a distant memory – that is the point that I want our clients to reach.

If you need help with your divorce or separation, then why not contact us and see how we can help you? We can assist you to reach agreement, avoid court and move on with your life.

Call 0191 2846989 or email enquiries@emmersons-solicitors.co.uk www.emmersons-solicitors.co.uk

If your relationship has just ended we understand that you may feel lost or worried. EMMERSONS

You will find us to be very approachable. We can offer you help with divorce, separation, financial settlements, arrangements for children, pre-nuptial agreements and same sex partnerships.

Our well-trained staff can obtain the best settlement for you. Due to their experience, excellent negotiating skills and use of Round Table Meetings the vast majority of our clients never have to visit court.

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