Partner Article

Liverpool law firm Jackson & Canter warns 89% of couples going through divorce risk falling into

Liverpool law firm Jackson & Canter has warned around nine-out-of-10 couples going through divorce proceedings are at risk of falling into the ‘Divoid’ – a state of fear and uncertainty about life post-divorce.

Andrew Gillespie, family lawyer at Jackson & Canter, said figures national released by QualitySolicitors, a UK-wide legal partnership Jackson & Canter are part of, are reflected in the city, with many families going through break-ups often having no plans beyond the divorce itself.

As a result the firm plans to hold a free one-to-one advice clinic at its on Church Street offices on Tuesday, February 11 in order to offer advice to those concerned about the fall-out of their split.

“We see a lot of people who are going through a difficult time emotionally and they find it difficult to focus on anything beyond the breakdown of their relationship,” said Andrew.

“But as proceedings go on we find many begin to become very anxious, worrying about the effect on children, finances, living arrangements and future relationships.”

These four areas - collectively known as the Divoid - represent a seeming abyss of problems and complications that make the idea of moving on impossible.

Statistics show that two-thirds of parents (67%) have concerns about the impact of their divorce on their children’s future emotional well being, 75% must fundamentally re-assess their financial arrangements including mortgages, insurance and pensions and 47% are worried about their post-divorce living arrangements.

In addition one-in-three fear loneliness, twice as many men worry about losing contact with their children as women while at the same time women are concerned about running the finances, juggling childcare and learning new tasks like DIY.

“There are a lot of things which concern people because divorce is a major change to your life,” said Andrew. “But no-one needs to be trapped in the Divoid. If you seek help and advice, you can make certain that as you embark on a new chapter in your life, it gets off to a positive start.”

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