Wollens Family Law Team are supporting Resolution’s Good Divorce Week which is highlighting why the Government must support better and early advice for separating families
- Exclusive research from Resolution lays bare the human suffering and cost caused by family court delays
- Wollens seek to help promote the benefits of early intervention in family matters.
The Good Divorce Week (28 Nov – 2 Dec), an annual awareness campaign run by Resolution, an organisation that represents over 6500 family professionals, looks to help people find a better way to divorce.
Divorces are on the increase again with the most recent statistics showing 113,000 divorces in 2021 – up nearly 10% on the previous year – and the impact on waiting times is stark. On average it now takes 52 weeks to conclude divorce proceedings.
In addition, official figures show that while private children cases were down by 7% during the last year, they are taking on average six weeks longer to reach a conclusion and estimates suggest it takes nearly two years to resolve financial matters.
This leaves many families in limbo for over a year and can have a knock-on effect on children’s schooling and family finances.
Resolution surveyed its members on the current court backlogs and found:
- 20% said court delays caused clients to rely on benefits
- 34% said they’d referred a client to a counsellor or therapist to help them cope with the stress of ongoing court delays
- 90% said court backlogs were causing additional and unnecessary stress and pressure for clients
Rebecca Procter , Head of the family Team at Wollens, said: “Backlogs are wreaking havoc on many local families in Devon. Even couples who want to separate amicably are having their patience and their continued relationship tested to breaking point by long delays. When it comes to sorting out children arrangements and finances after divorce, the situation is even bleaker.
“Children are waiting nearly a year for the courts to determine which parent they live with, what school they go to, how much time they spend with the other parent – putting the whole family’s life on hold. This is simply unacceptable and another reason why getting early professional advice is so important for families.
At Wollens, we work hard to resolve issues without the need of court intervention at all, where possible and this can assist the couple or families to move on with their separate lives sooner.
“We are proud to be supporting the Good Divorce Week and are offering advice sessions so families get the benefit of early professional advice.”
Juliet Harvey, national chair of Resolution, said: “Under resourcing the family courts system is a false economy inflicting unnecessary pressure on the public purse and unconscionable stress on families at an already stressful time in their lives. “
“If the government were to focus more on encouraging early advice for separating couples and including information about all out of court options it could ease the pressure on family courts. Resolution members like Rebecca Procter, Deborah Baker and Sabina Smith at Wollens are doing their best to help families achieve better outcomes and find long-lasting resolutions.”
Why Wollens ?
At Wollens, our experienced and highly skilled family law specialists can support and guide you through the divorce and financial proceedings. We aim to help you achieve the right outcome for you and your family that allows you to move on as quickly as possible.
Rebecca Procter is Head of the Family Team.
Contact Rebecca today on 01803 225158
or email [email protected]
Email us : [email protected]
call one of our offices:
South Devon 01803 213251
Exeter 01392 274006
North Devon 01271 342268
You can also complete an online enquiry form. One of the Wollens team will contact you as soon as they are available.
