As a followup to my previous blog today take a look at this article from the BBC and UK about the rising costs of divorce. It quotes a report by the Legal Ombudsman for England and Wales showed complaints by clients in divorce and family law were higher than in any other category.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-21611496
Have you gone through divorce recently? What do you think of the costs involved? At the end of it all, did you get value for what you paid for?
For couples contemplating separation or divorce at later stage of life, the costs of prolonged negotiations that may erode assets that they’ ve set aside for their retirement is not what they want to see happen. There are viable alternatives to costly litigation that allows the couple, rather than the court, to decide what is best for them.
For “empty – nesters”, divorce is increasingly common. Though overall divorce rates have declined since spiking in the 1980s, there has been a rise in “grey divorce”.
At this stage of your life, you probably didn’t think divorce would be something you’d be contemplating when also having to consider things like investing in your business, funding your retirement, paying for your kid’s weddings or ending your working years. The issues are significantly different than for someone in their 50’s or older than someone in their 30’s or 40’s. You are concerned with your financial future.. can I afford to got it alone ? How will this affect my retirement? What will I have to give up?
If you or someone you know is contemplating divorce at this stage of their lives, join us on Thurs. April 12th for a discussion about unique issues of the older divorcing population.
Starting Monday July 18th, every Ontario couple hoping to end their marriage will have to attend an information session on alternatives to going to court before getting a divorce. This law comes much too late in the process. How will getting information about mediation help when couples have already started down the path to court and are probably not speaking to each other amicably?
Studies show that couples who actively participate in settling their divorce is the single most important factor in getting a good outcome.
You should understand that couples can take control over their separation rather than getting involved in the court process when they are first considering separation. They have do have the option of working on a settlement on their own. They can refer to various professionals as needed to deal with issues specific to their situation, whether that be financial, legal or emotional. You need to know all of this while they are still talking to each other .
I know all couples can’t do this but I know there are couples that really do want to work together in a cost efficient way to organize their lives in the future. I, along with family mediator, Marion Korn, have created Mutual Solutions to work with these couples , working with them in whatever process that suits them best as an alternative to costly litigation and court.