Legal and practical advice and support for separating couples

As the out-of-office goes on for the Christmas break, we hope that all our friends, colleagues, clients, collaborators and blog readers are looking forward to some quality time with loved ones over the next couple of weeks.

Sadly, we know that this isn’t the case for everyone. Even before Covid came along and changed plans for so many, we know that Christmas can be one of the most difficult time of the year for some families. Every year, January is our busiest time for new divorce inquiries.

If you or anyone in your family is struggling right now, we hope that the information and advice below will be helpful over the Christmas and New Year holiday.

Emergency advice and support

The offices of family lawyers usually close between Christmas and new year. However, if you are in an emergency situation and need support right now, there are a number of organisations and agencies who can help.

If you or a family member is in immediate danger, call 999.

The National Domestic Abuse Helpline is open 24 hours a day on 0808 2000 247.

Further information is available on our ‘Injunctions and emergency relief’ page, including a video on what to do if your partner is violent and how to protect yourself and the family home from an abusive partner.

Advice for newly separated parents

Resolution, the national membership organisation for family justice professionals (lawyers, mediators, therapists and coaches) has produced a 21-page guide for families on parenting through separation. Resolution works with families and individuals to resolve issues in a constructive way. Their guide contains advice and information such as age-appropriate ways to talk to children about separation and divorce, suggestions on how best to deal with different reactions that children might have, and planning ahead for the short and long term. Download the ‘Guide to parenting through separation’.

Some other articles you may find helpful:

• Christmas cheer: 5 tips for newly separated parents
• How to achieve a successful divorce with minimal acrimony
• Negotiating divorce in uncertain times 1: practical advice to help right now
• Negotiating divorce in uncertain times 2: managing emotions and conflict

Looking after your family’s mental health

• https://www.silkfamilylaw.co.uk/blog/mental-health-separation-family-coronavirus-lockdown/
• 5 tips for helping teenagers deal with divorcing parents
• Negotiating divorce in uncertain times: managing emotions and conflict

Coparenting advice

• Co-parenting at Christmas: 5 tips for separated and divorced parents
• Managing parenting relationships & reducing conflict: a co-parent’s perspective

Choosing a divorce lawyer and planning for family law solicitor meetings

• 7 steps for choosing and making the most of your divorce lawyer
• Make the most of your lawyer when you are planning to divorce

The family home on divorce

• What rights do you have to the family home when you separate
• We’re unmarried and have separated: what happens to the house we jointly own?
• Is a “clean break” divorce possible with multiple property and business interests?

Funding a divorce

• How to fund a divorce: what are the options
• Cost of divorce and applications to the family court
• How to secure legal advice and representation when your spouse controls the family income

Advice for grandparents

• The rights of grandparents on relationship breakdown
• 5 tips for grandparents facing divorce in the family

We hope you find this information helpful.

Speak to a family law solicitor

If you would like family legal advice or wish to speak to a specialist divorce solicitor, our offices re-open at 9am on Tuesday 4^th January 2022.

These are the numbers to call from then:

• Newcastle Office: 0191 500 0777
• North Yorkshire Office: 01748 900 888
• Leeds Office: 0113 819 7370