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
