Divorcing couples should seek advice early
Many shaky relationships buckle under the financial and emotional strains of the Christmas and New Year holiday season, and couples move towards separation and divorce in January, which is frequently dubbed ‘Divorce Month’. For couples reaching this difficult point in their relationship, family law experts at local firm Sydney Mitchell say seeking specialist advice early on is invaluable.
“The pressure of trying to create the perfect Christmas for children and family can often be the final straw for couples in a fragile relationship, and so the new year and its sentiments of new beginnings, can feel like the right time to finally call time,” says the firm’s Emma Gray, an associate in the family law team.
“It’s vital couples first understand the options and the process, and speaking to a family law specialist is the best way to get some initial advice, to understand the best way to carefully plan their separation and divorce.”
Sydney Mitchell unveils ‘one lawyer, one couple’ divorce service
For couples seeking a fast, cost-effective divorce, and looking to work together, avoid conflict, and minimise the stress and disruption for everyone, Sydney Mitchell has unveiled a new service.
“The ‘one lawyer, one couple’ divorce service gives couples the choice of a more co-operative approach to separation and divorce, with both parties using the same family lawyer, and approaching the process with a shared goal of avoiding potential conflict and saving time and money,” says Emma, a trained Resolution Together solicitor.
“In a significant shift aimed at reducing the strain on family courts and encouraging amicable resolutions, in 2022, the Government introduced new legislation under the Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act 2020,” she explains. “For the first time, this allows couples to make joint applications to end their marriage. “
“Often called ‘no-fault divorce’, this law permits couples to separate without apportioning blame, and has already proved to have had a profound impact on divorcing couples, particularly those with children.
“Resolution is an organisation of lawyers and other family justice professionals who are committed to following a non-confrontational and constructive approach to resolving family issues,” she says. “Its Resolution Together model encompasses these principles, and is is a way for separating couples who want to work together to manage their separation to instruct a single solicitor to provide advice. Using its framework, our team follow a clear approach to provide our newest service, that offers clients who are open to the process a way to be able to conduct their divorce in a fair and calm way, especially for the sake of any children.
“By training in and adopting this approach, we have enhanced our family law and divorce services for clients navigating a highly emotional and difficult time, but who are committed to avoiding confrontation and disagreement.” The firm’s family law team is jointly led by partners Mauro Vinti and Karen Moores, who says: “The traditional legal framework for divorce has often been criticised for its adversarial nature, which can prolong the divorce process and add financial strain. We have been looking for a way to enhance and adapt our services to divorcing couples to address this, and Resolution Together provides the framework for our team to do so, thanks to its clear model and framework, robust code of practice, and refreshing new approach.
“Emma is spearheading the delivery of this new service. Acting for both parties involved in the divorce, she will guide them through the process, not representing either’s individual interests, to help them find the right route and achieve a fair outcome, including advising on financial and child arrangements.”
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