The number of people applying to get divorced is now at its highest for ten years. It’s feared that the cost of living is putting marriages under financial strain. That contrasts starkly with 2021 having the lowest level of divorces for twenty years. This increase is also being put down Read more…
The proportion of adults in the UK who have never been married or entered into a civil partnership is increasing. In 1991, just over a quarter of adults were single. That is now nearly forty per cent. As of 2021, the number of people in a marriage or civil partnership Read more…
In a recent BBC Radio 4 interview Sir Andrew McFarlane’s frustration was palpable to hear, reflecting the view of many of his colleagues and family professionals about the number of parents ending up in the court system. In 2020, a report by the Family Solutions Group found the family justice Read more…
Family law cases are now taking longer to resolve than during the Covid restrictions. The government says mediation is the solution but the removal of legal aid for most private law family cases means many couples are not even aware it exists. Legal aid cuts have also increased the number Read more…
The Ministry of Justice has confirmed it will continue to fund the Family Mediation Voucher Scheme for a further period from 1 April 2022. The FMC hopes to be able to confirm the length of the extension soon, but in the meantime, they can confirm that funding is available for Read more…
People don’t make the decision to end a long-term relationship lightly, especially when children are involved. Divorce and separation are two of the most painful life events anyone ever goes through. They can lead people to question everything they thought they knew about themselves and their lives. They are overwhelming. Read more…
In the middle of what may be the most difficult time in your life, it can be very difficult to know where to go for help. Just at the time when you need more support than you have ever needed before, you don’t know who to ask or how you Read more…
The next stage involves exploring the options that are in practice open to you – these will depend very much on your personal circumstances and what is important to your family. You will probably both find it helps if you have a full and honest conversation about each option, including Read more…
•It really helps to go to your first mediation knowing what is important to you. Try to keep an open mind about what the practical solution might look like but identify the questions that you believe need answering. These will be unique to your family, but might include, for example: Read more…
Mediation is a sort of a structured conversation, in which a professional helps people to discuss difficult things in a safe space. A qualified mediator will keep the discussion focused on the important issues and will encourage you both to think about the future rather than the past. As a Read more…