Page 35 - WMPF December-January Magazine.url_Neat

Why do more people get divorced in January?

By Georgina Chase even more difficult with the ever-changing available to you.
principal lawyer in family Government guidance about mixing of Seeking early legal advice can often make
law at Slater and Gordon households. it easier to discuss your separation with your
Is my marriage really over? spouse before formally starting the divorce
he start of a New If you’re considering a divorce, this is the first process.
Year is a time of thing that you must ask yourself. It’s a personal We’re often asked about protecting
Treflection. It’s decision that can only be made by you. an officer’s police pension on divorce. The
common for resolutions to You may wish to consider whether there’s pension can often be the most significant,
be made and people often any chance of reconciliation. You should and sometimes the only, asset of a marriage.
look forward to the future, taking a closer look think about seeking additional support from Your spouse’s entitlement to your pension will
at their relationships and home life. marriage counselling services, such as Relate, depend on a number of factors, including the
There’s no denying that 2020 has been a or discussing matters with your own support length of your marriage, whether any of the
particularly difficult year for many couples as network. pension was acquired prior to your marriage
a result of the global pandemic. With couples What are the grounds for divorce? and mostly importantly, the needs of the
having to navigate two national lockdowns, There’s only one overall ground for divorce in parties.
as well as juggling home schooling, periods England and Wales and that’s the irretrievable Couples with children
of self-isolation and caring for vulnerable breakdown of your marriage. If you have children and are considering divorce,
family members, it’s sadly no surprise that ‘No-fault divorce’ has received you’ll also need to think about future child care
relationships will have come under additional Parliamentary approval but has not yet come arrangements. Children of separated parents
pressure. into effect. This means that if you and your have been able to move freely between their
If you or your spouse work on the frontline, spouse have not been separated for a period parents’ respective households, as an exception
then the impact of the pandemic is likely to of two years or more and wish to start divorce to the Government’s ‘stay at home’ rules.
have affected all aspects of your working and proceedings in January 2021, you’ll have to rely You should try to reach an agreement
personal life. on the fault based facts of either adultery or with your spouse about the most suitable
As family lawyers, we often see an unreasonable behaviour. and appropriate care arrangements following
increase in the number of divorce enquiries You can start divorce proceedings at any your separation. If you’re unable to reach an
following the festive season. In fact, the first time, as long as you’ve been married for a agreement, you should consider mediation and
Authorised and Regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
Monday of the New Year has often been period of at least 12 months. seek legal advice. An application to court should
referred to in the press as ‘National Divorce Seeking advice be the last resort. The welfare of the children
Day’. It’s always advisable to seek legal advice from will be the court’s paramount consideration.
If there were already problems in a an expert family lawyer as early as possible. If you need to speak to a specialist family
relationship, couples may find themselves This does not mean that you have to issue lawyer, please contact Slater and Gordon
putting on a brave face over the Christmas divorce proceedings straight away. Instead, Lawyers on 0808 175 7710 and we will be
“It’s nice to period for the benefit of their children or you’ll be provided with comprehensive advice happy to help.
relatives. Christmas 2020 is likely to be
which will allow you to consider the options
relax knowing Retirement seminars – 2021 dates are set

my divorce Dates have been set for next year’s West

settlement is Midlands Police Federation retirement
seminars.
The seminars, which are for officers in

sorted.” their last three years of service, will be held
at the Federation offices at Guardians
House, Coventry Road, Sheldon, on:
Getting a divorce is never easy, especially 4 February 2021
4 March 2021
on top of the pressures of police work. At 1 April 2021
Slater and Gordon we offer Police Federation 6 May 2021
members a free initial consultation, a divorce 3 June 2021
fixed fee package and discounted hourly rates. 22 July 2021
We’ll be with you every step of the way so 26 August 2021
9 September 2021
you can focus on your job and let us deal with 7 October 2021 l Transferable skills office at westmidlandspf@polfed.org
everything else. 18 November 2021. l Pensions Please ensure you put ‘Retirement
The retirement seminar programme was l How do I manage money and these seminar’ and the month you would prefer
suspended during the early months of the financial changes? to attend in the subject title and include
pandemic but has since been resumed with l Budgeting your name, work email address, personal
For all life’s legal needs and with social distancing and other safety measures l Starting your own business email address, personal phone number,
offices throughout the UK. in place. PPE is provided for everyone l New horizons (what’s next?) proposed retirement date and any dietary
requirements in the email.
l Savings
attending with cleaning stations and hand
Places are currently limited to officers
0808 175 7710 sanitisers also available. l Investments and finances only. Partners were previously able to
Among the topics covered at the
slatergordon.co.uk/police-law seminars are: l Protecting your wealth. attend but available spaces have been
Members are being urged to register

l Managing change and uncertainty their interest in attending retirement reduced due to the safety measures in
l CV writing and interview techniques seminars in 2021 by emailing the Federation place.
Crime & misconduct allegations Personal injury - on or off duty Family law Employment law Police pensions Wills, trusts and estates Conveyancing www.polfed.org/westmids federation December 2020/January 2021 35