Last updated on March 7th, 2017 at 11:17 am

Conflict avoidance high on our agenda

Sadly, he isn’t the only person who holds this view, but we firmly believe that it’s a very wrong misconception against the vast majority of us.  We became members of Resolution and adopt a non-confrontational approach.  We have empathy with our clients and a genuine desire to make life better for them.  Conflict avoidance is high on our agenda as we actively encourage clients to consider the benefits of agreement and compromise.  Hostile litigation is brutal and poisonous, leaving its emotional and financial scars on the family long after their court case has finished.  We want better outcomes for these families and for their children to grow up with the care, love and support of both parents wherever possible, and enjoy spending time with their grannies, uncles, etc. on both sides of the family.

Ethical divorce lawyers want a fair deal for clients

We measure a “win” as an outcome where both spouses secure a fair deal through a respectful process and where, at its conclusion, they’re both okay and able to communicate positively with each other – even if they didn’t at its outset!  There’s enough work out there for good, reputable lawyers not to feel any need to ‘milk’ a case.

Clients sometimes walk through my door, adamant they want a “Rottweiler lawyer” to screw their ex for every last penny “because they deserve it”.  Behind these angry emotions usually lie deep hurt, mistrust and fear of the unknown changes that divorce will bring.  Calmly exploring choices and options, wider implications and seeking/giving reassurances can usually soften these emotions and help clients to see more positive ways of handling their divorce.

Finances better sorted by expert divorce lawyers

Gary Linekar and his wife did a DIY divorce and that’s great, but the paper exercise of dissolving the marriage is not terribly complicated. Finances, however, can be very complicated and clients are too emotionally involved and lack the necessary expertise to know what might be ‘fair and reasonable’. Many clients have come to me after sorting out settlements between themselves where they got a really poor deal which didn’t adequately address their needs then or in the future. It’s so important to get the right expert advice at the time so you can feel confident in your negotiations and reassured that you’re not being taken for a ride. Trying to sort out the messes after the event is usually much more difficult and sometimes impossible if assets no longer exist.

Our message

So what’s our message?  Be fair, be respectful, but look after yourself.  Get early advice from a reputable lawyer. Choose an expert who adopts the right approach who will help you, not hinder.  Avoid the type of lawyer Gary Lineker referred to. Thankfully, they really are a dying breed, but it only takes a handful to undermine the great work carried out by the majority of us, who really do have the best interests of our clients and the welfare of your children at heart.