Do a Macca not a Mucca, advises Law Society

7 May 2008

Nearly half of all marriages in Britain will end in divorce before the 50th wedding anniversary, according to recent figures announced by the Office for National Statistics

The Law Society is advising anyone considering divorce to seek expert legal advice from a specialist family law solicitor.

Andrew Holroyd, Law Society President, says, “Divorce is stressful, the legalities can be complicated and emotions can cloud reasoning, so it is important to consult an expert from the outset to receive independent, impartial, objective advice from someone who will steer you clear of the legal pitfalls and safeguard your interests.”

The reality is that the absence of an experienced specialist family lawyer in a family case puts the client at a significant disadvantage and slows down the legal process.

Andrew Holroyd, Law Society President, explains that a specialist family law solicitor will ensure the correct documentation is in place and that no important issues have been overlooked.

He says, “The legal formality of getting a divorce is a relatively straightforward process. What is generally much more complex is sorting out the practical issues such as where each person will live, who gets what, and arrangements for any children. So before agreeing matters with your partner it is advisable to consult a family law specialist solicitor who will advise you about your rights and the options available to you. They will also explain some of the financial complexities and will help you identify the issues that the court will consider, sort the wheat from the chaff, give tactical advice and may even save you time and money.”

Getting a solicitor on your side doesn’t automatically signal the beginning of a journey towards a court hearing. A solicitor will explain the other options available, such as mediation, or collaborative family law, designed to help people resolve issues following family breakdown in a calm and constructive manner away from court.

Andrew Holroyd says, “an increasing number of family law solicitors are opting for training in the area of collaborative family law, which provides a further alternative to court proceedings to divorcing couples. Collaborative family law is designed to help people resolve issues following family breakdown in a calm and constructive manner. Both spouses and their collaborative family lawyers make an agreement to try to reach a solution without going to court. However mediation or collaborative family law are not suitable in every case."

Regardless of what route you opt to go down solicitors could help save a lot of heartache and stress for you and your family in the long run.