Wednesday, April 4, 2012

DIVORCE: EASTER BREAK IS THE FIRST 2012 TEST FOR TEETERING MARRIAGES.

GEORGE DAVIES SOLICITORS LLP
PRESS RELEASE
April 3, 2012.

DIVORCE: EASTER BREAK IS THE FIRST 2012 TEST FOR TEETERING MARRIAGES.

The Easter break will be the first big test of wedding vows for thousands of couples in 2012 – and a measure of how many marriages are at breaking point.

Family lawyer Kim Aucott of Manchester-based George Davies Solicitors LLP says so many couples have been distracted from dealing with a decaying relationship through fire-fighting such a huge array of financial and economic challenges since Christmas, that time off together at Easter could push some relationships over the edge.

“Easter will be a breathing space after a winter of huge financial challenge and discontent. There is tremendous tension amongst couples under financial pressure, and that means any sort of holiday or break could be anything but that for families battling the stress of downturn, job worries, paying council tax bills and facing fuel price issues – the vow of ‘for richer, for poorer’ will come under serious strain,” said Kim Aucott of the Manchester-based firm.

“Suddenly being crammed together at a potentially big-spending time when money is tight, and without work to distract, could result in frustrations being vented and some cards being laid on tables.

“These things can happen very suddenly – especially if there’s a cocktail of good Easter weather and a few drinks in the sun with emotions running high.

“But no matter how fast or bitter the split, it is rarely a good idea to start court proceedings immediately – a common knee-jerk when for many people this is uncharted territory.

“They may have made the decision to part, but the full potential for aggression should be allowed to subside before acting.

“Divorces are often started when couples are feeling angry, hurt, sometimes betrayed, and their first reaction is to think about going to court – but there are other options, not least collaborative law which means proceedings don’t go anywhere near a courtroom and can therefore stay both amicable and private,” said Kim.

“We’ve seen many people who, once they’ve reached the decision they want to divorce, go headlong into the legal process without actually weighing up what is going to be best long-term for their entire family.

“They need to get comprehensive advice of what the options are, and they need to get advice on the pros and cons of each of those routes – how much each is going to cost, how long they’re going to take to get to the end, is there any level of compulsion, and how much level of contention there’s going to be.

“Couples are often unaware that their disputes can be resolved through mediation, through collaborative law, and, as a fallback, there’s the court process.”

But Kim says a non-adversarial collaborative type approach could cost far less and avoid the bad feeling a courtroom encounter generates.

Ends

For further information:
Lindsey Farrelly
0161 234 8802
07717 177609

Iain Macauley
07788 978800
Notes to editor:
About George Davies Solicitors LLP: George Davies Solicitors LLP is a 19 partner law firm based in the heart of Manchester. Established more than 70 years ago, the firm provides an extensive range of legal services to a national client base. Recent awards and accreditations include ratings in independent legal directories - Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners UK; Winner of the Pro Bono/Community Initiative Award, Trainee of the Year Award and shortlisted for Medium Law Firm of the Year, Partner of the Year, Corporate/Commercial Team of the Year and Private Client Team of the Year at the 2012 Manchester Legal Awards; Winner of the Medium Law Firm of the Year 2011 in the Manchester Legal Awards; Winner of the Managing Partner of the Year award at the 2011 LawNet Awards; Winner of the Innovation in Dealmaking award and shortlisted for Corporate Law Firm of the Year at the 2011 Insider Dealmakers Awards; Winner of the North West Employment Team of the Year in the Corporate INTL Magazine Awards 2010; adviser on the Deal of the Year sub £5million at the 2010 Insider Dealmakers Awards and is one of only five legal firms in the country to hold the Investors in People Silver standard.

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