New year, new beginnings?
In the present era, there seems to be a designated day for almost every occasion, even those that may not necessarily call for festivities. Enter “divorce day.” While I’m unsure if it’s a cause for celebration, media outlets consistently report it as the supposed “busiest day of the year” for divorce lawyers, conveniently falling on the first working Monday of January.
However, it’s not uncommon for individuals contemplating separation to see January as the opportune moment to initiate the process. Yet, such a decision should be approached with careful consideration. There are alternatives, such as relationship counselling services like Relate, that might be explored before taking such a significant step. If, however, the decision is made to proceed with a divorce, seeking advice early on is crucial, addressing both the legal aspects and, perhaps more importantly, the financial implications of the separation.
In 2022, divorce underwent a change, eliminating the need to assign blame or rely on a period of separation to secure a divorce. This long-awaited change is generally welcomed by the majority, if not all, divorce lawyers. While this alters the divorce process, the financial aspects remain governed by a statute dating back to the 1970s. Over the years, case law has evolved, establishing principles such as “need” and “sharing.” Given the complexity of this area, seeking specialised advice from an experienced family lawyer is highly recommended.
At Gotelee’s, our family team possesses the necessary expertise and, more importantly, understands the difficulty and challenges associated with separation. We are committed to guiding and supporting you through this process. If you are
considering separation or divorce,we can support you with initial fixed fee appointment. For more information call 01473 211121 or email info@gotelee.co.uk.