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Survey reveals devastating impact of divorce

Law firms are asking separating couples to consider a “friendly divorce” following a recent survey which revealed the impact of break ups on children.

The survey by Netmums revealed some startling statistics including in 1 in 20 children turning to drugs following parents separating.

Michael Pratt, family lawyer at Maxwell Hodge said: “The survey makes frightening reading. While many of the separating couples surveyed believed their children had coped well, more than a third described themselves as devastated by the divorce, with one in 20 turning to drink and drugs to cope and one in nine self harming.

“While it’s difficult to minimise the impact of divorce on children, it’s often the divorce process itself that can make things a lot worse, with couples battling things out in court and ending up in permanent conflict, even when the divorce process is over.”

Michael wants more couples to use what’s been dubbed “the friendly divorce”, basically mediation where couples keep their disputes out of court and through a third party mediator make an amicable, legally binding agreement.

He said: “We are encouraging more clients to consider mediation. Rather than taking their divorce through the courts, where it naturally leads to greater conflict, couples can meet in a neutral environment and work with a professional mediator to negotiate a legally binding agreement which suits all. Going through this process takes much of the anger and bitterness out of a break up and often leads to couples continuing to have an amicable relationship afterwards, which, when children are involved, is vital.”

New laws have announced that couples should consider mediation before separating but currently most couples settle their disputes through the court, which according to Maxwell Hodge, not only has emotional consequences but also huge financial implications.

Michael said: “The government has been attempting to divert some of the 120,000 couples who separate in England Wales every year to use mediation. The fact is court proceedings are also hugely expensive. The average dispute settled through court costs around £4000 compared to just £500 through mediation. It makes sense to settle matters outside of court both on an emotional level and financial level.”

For more information on the Mediation process visit www.maxweb.co.uk or call 0800 6946 660.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Dan Minchin .