Divorce is on the rise: how to choose the right family lawyer

By Debra Jackson, family law solicitor and specialist in cohabitation cases 

With latest statistics revealing a 23 per cent increase in the number of divorces in the 12 months before lockdown, choosing the right family lawyer is more important than ever.

The surge, among the biggest since numbers were first recorded in the mid-19th century, reinforces how vital it is to obtain the best advice at such a difficult time.  

We always recommend working with a lawyer who is a member of Resolution – a body of family lawyers and fellow professionals committed to dealing with relationship breakdown issues in a constructive and non-confrontational manner.   

Our firm is a long-standing supporter of the Association and our founder Peter Jones was a National Chairman. A champion of raising standards, he chairs Resolution’s specialist accreditation committee where he encourages fellow family law firms to achieve accreditations in specific areas such as complex financial issues, cohabitation, pensions and child abduction.

Assessors award and renew accreditations to lawyers who can demonstrate outstanding level of skills and expertise and high levels of competence.

I achieved Specialist Accreditation in Complex Financial Provision 1, and Cohabitation and ToLATA in 2019 to demonstrate my skills and ensure that clients can identify me as an expert in this field.

Of Resolution’s 250 plus members working within 20 miles of Leeds, only 5 of us hold Specialist Accreditation in Cohabitation and ToLATA cases.

My work often involves cases where unmarried partners have separated and are disputing how their property should be divided.

With more people choosing to live together without getting married or entering into a civil partnership, the often complex nature of cases following separation requires highly competent legal advice.

When instructing an accredited lawyer, you can be confident of their proven track record. That is not to say that you are guaranteed the outcome you seek, but that they will provide you with the best advice and assistance.

Accredited Specialists are well placed to assist you through the process of divorce and separation together with resolving the financial issues; fewer things for you to worry about at such a difficult time.

All family law cases are different but as a general rule, they are stressful and often emotional – which is why it is important you find a lawyer that you have confidence in and feel comfortable working with.

For queries on divorce or cohabitation or any aspect of family law, call us at Leeds on 0113 246 0055, Harrogate on 01423 276104, or York on 01904 202550. Visit jm2023.jonesmyers.co.uk, email info@jonesmyers.co.uk or tweet us @helpwithdivorce