Good Divorce Week 2022

We are proud to be supporting Resolution’s Good Divorce Week, designed to highlight why the Government needs to provide greater support for separating families.

Good Divorce Week is an annual awareness campaign run by Resolution, an organisation that represents over 6500 family professionals, which helps people find a better way to divorce.

Divorces are on the increase again with the most recent statistics showing 113,000 divorces in 2021 – up nearly 10% on the previous year – and the impact on wait times is stark. On average it now takes 52 weeks to conclude divorce proceedings.

In addition, official figures show that while private children’s cases were down by 7% during the last year, they are taking on average six weeks longer to reach a conclusion. Estimates also estimates suggest it takes nearly two years to resolve financial matters. That leaves many families in limbo for over a year, which has a knock-on effect on children’s schooling and family finances.

Exclusive research by Resolution has highlighted the human suffering and cost caused by family court delays. The organisation surveyed its members on the current court backlogs and found:

• 20% said court delays caused clients to rely on benefits
• 34% said they’d referred a client to a counsellor or therapist to help them cope with the stress of ongoing court delays
• 90% said court backlogs were causing additional and unnecessary stress and pressure for clients

Even couples who want to separate amicably are having their patience and their continued relationship tested to breaking point by long delays. When it comes to sorting out children’s arrangements and finances after divorce, the situation is even bleaker. Children are waiting nearly a year for the courts to determine which parent they live with, what school they go to, how much time they spend with the other parent – putting the whole family’s life on hold. This is simply unacceptable and another reason why getting early professional advice is so important for families.

If you are considering divorce or separation, we offer an initial no obligation one-hour appointment for just £50 (incl. VAT), so you can discover the options and issues pertaining to your specific circumstances. To book a consultation please call us on 01444 472700, email us on [email protected] or complete the form below.