A number of recent articles have highlighted that data shows money fears are keeping unhappy couples together for the sake of their finances. Many couples are delaying divorce due to concerns as to the financial impact separation will have on them.
At Clarke Willmott, we recognise the impact the cost of living crisis and the current economy is having on many families. We don’t believe financial pressure should force couples to remain together if they’re unhappy – life is far too short not to be happy.
We train our lawyers under the ‘one-couple-one-lawyer’ model, which allows couples to instruct one lawyer to represent them both. The parties meet jointly with their lawyer and discuss in an open forum their financial concerns about separation and their lawyer will provide them with options and ways to alleviate these. While this model shouldn’t be seen as necessarily a cheaper option, it does mean that parties aren’t paying for their own individual lawyers and are able to keep costs under one roof with a clear breakdown at the outset. Offering a staged approach to pricing depending on your circumstances.
Please don’t remain in an unhappy relationship because of these concerns. At the very least, discuss your options with a lawyer. It may be that the reality of it all is much better than you think.
Please do contact myself, Clare Webb, or Philippa Yeo in the family team should you want to discuss this kinder way to divorce further.