This year, the focus of Resolution’s awareness week is on how separating or divorcing parents can limit the impact of conflict on their children. The Office for National Statistics recently found that around half of couples that get divorced have at least one child aged under 16.

Studies have shown that it is not the divorce or separation that affects the children, but the conflict stemming from it. When children get caught in the middle of a sparring couple, this can cause them a great deal of stress and negatively impact their well-being.

At Miles & Partners, our team of family lawyers are committed members of Resolution and take a non-confrontational approach to family law matters, including divorce and separation.

After the prominent case of Owens v Owens which dominated headlines a few months ago, Resolution is campaigning for the laws surrounding divorce to be changed. Reform is needed so that couples can get a divorce without having to assign blame through adultery or unreasonable behaviour or waiting at least two years, which can cause bitterness and resentment during proceedings and have a negative impact on the children.

‘Divorce is difficult enough on families and the legal requirement to assign blame can have detrimental effects on those involved,’ says Michelle Uppal, mediator in the family team. ‘Waiving the two-year waiting period will drastically reduce conflict and minimise the negative repercussions of divorce on children.’

At Miles & Partners we fully support the no fault divorce campaign and our solicitors are trained to help try to resolve your divorce or separation in an amicable way. We can help you with:

• applying for a divorce;
• making arrangements for your children;
• making financial settlements; and
• providing information about the collaborative approach to divorce.

Our legal professionals can offer expert advice and assist you through all aspects of family law. For more advice, contact Michelle Uppal at mu@milesandpartners.com. You can also call us on 02074 260 400 for a confidential discussion about any family law matter.