Getting a Divorce – The Dos and Don’ts from Hopkins

Christmas is renowned for being a stressful time, and for many married couples, it can be the final straw. Statistics released in 2012 show that January can see twice as many couples commence divorce proceedings as any other time of year. Families use the New Year as a chance to make a fresh start.

Whether it’s the stress of gift-giving, financial strain or just the thought of spending one more Christmas with the mother-in-law, there are many reasons for separating over Christmas. At Hopkins, we’ve come up with some ‘dos and don’ts’ to ensure that, even in the face of impending divorce, you can reduce the impact it has on you and your family.

DO
Talk about the situation. Many parents naturally want to protect their children and families, and will try to sugar-coat the situation – especially at Christmas, when everyone is supposed to feel happy and loved. Trying to shield children from the impacts of getting a divorce can have disastrous effects further down the line. Forget the season of goodwill, and be straight with everyone involved.

DON’T
Put off taking advice. If you’ve already made up your mind that getting a divorce is the right option for you, don’t delay until the New Year. You’ll need to put your financial house in order as soon as possible – it can have an impact on planned spending on borrowing, as well as joint accounts and mortgages, so it’s crucial to get this type of thing sorted early.

DO
Take time for yourself. Christmas is a time to spend with loved ones, it’s true – but if you’re going through a divorce, or even considering it, it’s likely you’ll need some ‘me-time’ to get to grips with the change that’s about to come. Even something as simple as going for a for a wintry walk can help you clear your head and prepare.

DON’T
Go it alone. Whether you seek advice from a solicitor early on, or whether it’s simply a chat with a relative or close friend, don’t go through a Christmas divorce feeling like you’re facing it solo. Therapists, mediators and a myriad of other professionals are on hand to make the process as painless as possible – you needn’t suffer in silence if an unhappy marriage is pointing towards separation.

If you would like to speak to one of out solicitors about  getting a divorce, call us to arranging a fixed fee appointment or attend one of our free advice clinics.