Goodman's head of family law on New Year divorce
IT is beyond doubt that the busiest time of the year in any family lawyers calendar is January, generally when the children have returned to school following their Christmas break.
With the new year comes a host of new clients who have decided that now is the time to take the bull by the horns and consult their lawyers about their unhappy relationships. Why January? There are a number of reasons that a client could put forward as to why they have finally decided enough is enough.
Christmas and New Year can be a difficult time in even the most harmonious of households. The pressures that Christmas bring – children off school, presents to buy, meals to plan and cook – can often be enough to tip any relationship over the edge and put it at breaking point.
The dawn of the New Year so very often crystalises the mind of an unhappy participant in a relationship. It is seen as a new beginning and with the New Year comes the strength to take matters forward to end the relationship that is causing so much unhappiness.
The traditional perceived approach of confrontational lawyers is no longer the norm. Good quality family lawyers will have all alternative means of dispute resolution at the forefront of their minds when advising clients for the first time. Mediation and collaborative law can all help clients to achieve positive outcomes that are for the benefit of all, but especially for any children who may be affected by the break up.
The ending of a relationship is a sad time for all concerned but with a forward thinking holistic approach from the lawyer can at least bring some hope for a happy new year for the clients involved.
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