Family lawyers across Nottingham and the wider UK are braced for their busiest day of the year, so-called Divorce Day, which falls 4 January 2015.
The first Monday after New Year is traditionally regarded as an annual day of reckoning as thousands of couples start counting the toll the festive season and a fortnight’s lethargy has taken on their lives and their wallets.
As reality bites, many will resolve to do something about it with a timely life-changing shake-up by tackling a failing marriage. And family lawyers across the UK are braced for the busiest day of the year with a deluge of calls from couples ready to untie the knot.
There are several potential triggers for marital strife – from the sheer cost of Christmas, being cooped up at home too long, or being in the company of indifferent relatives.
Christmas is not a direct cause of divorce but it is certainly a catalyst. As a result, early January is traditionally among the busiest times of the year for family lawyers. Couples who have generally managed to avoid each other and not spend as much time together, have to be in each other’s company for the best part of a fortnight, which aggravates any existing tensions. It is also an acutely expensive time and financial difficulties can boil up. Separating couples have a host of options and if there is a will and determination on both sides, an informal and equitable resolution can be found that avoids ongoing stress and costly court time.
Negotiations are particularly effective in dealing with resolving financial claims and children issues. Mediation and Collaborative law are very effective in resolving family disputes when both parties agree to try to reach a settlement without going to court. This route hinges on openness and honesty, but it is particularly effective in producing quick, personally tailored and – generally – cost-effective agreements. The key incentive is to achieve a solution without having one imposed by the court.
Prevention is far better than cure and the best way to avoid disputes is to nail down clear agreements before they arise. For individuals, this includes looking at everything from Wills, to Living Together (Cohabitation) agreements or pre-nuptial agreements.
Family-owned businesses can safeguard their position with custom-made and clear agreements, the proper incorporation of commercial contracts, agreements and the protection of intellectual property rights.
For more information or advice on this or any other Family Law issue, please get in touch with our team of specialist Family Lawyers on 0115 9 100 200 or send us a message.
Posted on January 4, 2016