Although it’s hard to get statistics to back it up, anecdotal evidence suggests there is an increase in people seeking separation or divorce in their retirement years. There’s certainly been an in increase in both enquiries and cases in this firm. But what are the factors behind this trend? The fact that many children have now left the nest and may be independent of their parents certainly influences the decision …Read More
What walking the Camino revealed to me about Family Law
I am just back from completing my second walk of the Camino de Santiago de Compestela, and one thing which struck me strongly during this particular pilgrimage, was that family law situations across the world have so many similarities. During my walk I met and spoke with many wonderful people – from Ireland, the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Korea, France and Spain. Maybe the fact that I am a family …Read More
Single Parent Families – what they mean for children
More than 1 in every 4 children now lives in a single parent family although the factors behind this are diverse. The numbers of children living in families which are outside marriage has doubled over the past 25 years; divorce and separation have increased six fold since 1996; and we also need to remember those families where a parent is lost through bereavement. So where does this leave the children …Read More
Giving children a voice in family law
There is a cultural shift afoot: more and more lawyers are standing up and commenting on children’s rights, and the discussion is well under way as to how our new changing Family Court Structure, should be best tailored to cater for the Voice of the Child. This observation is by no means made cynically, (as one who has been attempting to rattle this particular cage for some years), but with …Read More
Three things you need to know about separation and divorce
When a marriage or relationship has broken down it can be a hugely daunting task to face the future and start the process of formalising the break up. Several things can help you along the way and make this difficult road a little easier: 1. Using mediation or collaborative family law can save an awful lot of time, money and stress for all the family. Mediation is a voluntary, non-binding …Read More
Divorce and the Working Woman – what you need to know
With up to 1 in 5 married women now earning more than their husbands, it’s safe to say that the traditional balance of men and women’s household and financial roles has undergone a huge shift. Yes, it is one that working women in particular largely welcome, but it’s also significant a factor in marriage breakdown – and one you need to pay attention to if you find yourself in this …Read More
Divorce and debt in Ireland today
The level of debts faced by many families as a result of the recession, has had a major impact on divorce and separation settlements. Most Irish couples going through a divorce or separation today no longer have equity or savings to distribute in the process. These couples generally want to just divide the debts and move on with their lives but in some cases they can’t. This is having a …Read More
Top 5 Tips to surviving your divorce in 2013
January is a great time for New Year’s Resolutions and taking a positive outlook on the year ahead…. but if you are in the throes of separation or divorce or about to embark on the process, then you may find it a little harder than most people to be upbeat this month. To help you out, here’s a quick summary of the ways in which you can make the process …Read More
Supporting Children Through Separation & Divorce – Resources for you and your family
Separation and divorce are hard on every family member, so it can be a particularly challenging time for a parent who wants their child to have all the support they need. But help is out there…. There are many useful resources and services for children and for parents, which can provide essential support, guidance and advice at this time: The Guardian Childrens Project Provides support services including counseling and peer …Read More
The Importance of Access to Parents after Separation
It’s fairly widely accepted now that children who have healthy contact with both parents after separation or divorce do better than those in sole custody of one parent. Research shows they are better adjusted physically, psychologically, and socially with peers and at school – and shared parenting is the key to this outcome. Therefore the way in which custody and access are handled in the process of a relationship breakdown …Read More