New Year, New Life?

Judith O’Brien talks about how you can access our services during lockdown

It’s that time of year again, when the press love to declare that the first Monday in the New Year is “divorce day”. Sadly, the reality is that statistically, the first week of the new year sees a significant increase in online searches containing the word ‘divorce’, as well as searches for local family lawyers.

In my 25 years of practising as a family solicitor, I have noticed that my diary begins to fill up with appointments during the second and third week in January. This is often the time that the children are back at school and the parent can contact a solicitor safe in the knowledge that the children will not overhear or see their parent upset. Under current national restrictions, this may prove to be much more difficult.

Numbers of new divorce cases ordinarily spike at the start of a New Year for several reasons but as we begin 2021, there are more reasons than ever. Perhaps two people working from home on a full-time basis, home-schooling the children, financial worries together all put incredible stress and strain on a relationship.

There are a variety of options if you feel your marriage or relationship is in difficulty and not all of them must end in divorce. For anybody who finds themselves in a difficult situation, I recommend you initially to arrange an appointment with a member of our team to discuss your options, any alternatives and of course, the cost.

Our family team at Progression has a wealth of experience dealing with private family matters including divorce and separation, financial arrangements, separation agreements and child arrangements, all of which can require legal representation at court too.

We are working efficiently from home, offering appointments by video call or telephone, which is proving more convenient for many clients.

For further advice and to arrange an appointment, call the main switchboard on 01229 580956 and visit our website www.progressionsolicitors.com .