As China begins to get a glimpse of life on the other side of coronavirus, it seems that not everyone has been feeling the love during quarantine. It emerged that divorce rates in the country have soared, as couples were forced into spending time together in mandatory lockdown.
With the UK being in lockdown since 23rd March, it is predicted that the same will happen here and divorce rates will surge both north and south of the border. Unfortunately, this prediction comes as no surprise; however, if you are contemplating getting a divorce or are in the middle of divorce proceedings, you will probably be wondering what happens next and how might this current situation affect you?
The team at Avadis & Co appreciate this is a challenging time for relationships, but we are here to help. Contact us today on
020 3962 0898 or complete our online enquiry form.
Can you still get divorced during the coronavirus pandemic?
During the coronavirus pandemic, you can be assured that our family lawyers are still working hard, just not quite business as usual. While we are unable to have a face to face interview with you physically, our team are working remotely from home, which means we are just an email, phone call or video call away.
We also appreciate that virtual meetings can be difficult due to living arrangements under lockdown. Therefore we will work around your requirements and any restrictions.
All divorce petitions can be submitted online. Our team can help you take the necessary steps in either initiating a divorce petition or responding to divorce proceedings. We will keep you update to date with the latest developments while we are in lockdown, to ensure your case progresses as quickly as possible.
What about divorce proceedings initiated before the lockdown?
If you began divorce proceedings before the coronavirus pandemic, or you are in the middle of the process, you should keep in contact with your lawyer for any important updates on the divorce process during coronavirus. Given the current situation, the legal landscape is changing all the time as courts and other bodies adjust to working remotely.
Alternative Dispute Resolution
As an alternative to court proceedings, you might wish to consider Alternative Dispute Resolution to provide certainty and potentially bring the matter to a close. This can also be a more cost-effective method, and it enables you and your partner to set your own timescales for how quickly you wish things to progress. Our lawyers can talk you through this process, should you want to explore this.
I’m divorced and struggling to keep up with maintenance payments because of coronavirus, what can I do?
Your income might have unexpectedly reduced significantly, yet you still have an obligation to pay spousal maintenance to your ex-partner, either because of a court order or an informal or formal agreement. In such circumstances, you might need to obtain specialist advice.
Dealing with matters cooperatively has never been more important for couples during this time. Where possible, speak to the other party and explain the situation to see if you can come to an agreement that suits both of you. If you do manage to come to an agreement, you should make sure that this is in writing.
Whether or not the change in your income will alter any existing arrangements you have in place will depend on the individual circumstances. It is also important to bear in mind whether the financial implications or pursuing a change to maintenance payments will be worthwhile. Our family law team are available and ready to help you. Get in touch with us today.
Contact our Divorce Lawyers in London today
If you wish to discuss any issues surrounding divorce during this time, contact our family law team today. We understand that going through a divorce is never easy, and the current pandemic is only likely to leave you with more questions. The team at Avadis & Co are ready to help. We can guide you and your family through tough times sensitively to suit the needs of everyone involved. Call us on 020 3962 0898 or complete our online contact form.
This guide does not constitute legal advice and is provided for general information purposes only. If you require specific legal advice you should contact one of our lawyers who can advise you based on your own circumstances.
Please note this information is accurate as of 29/04/20 and is subject to change as official guidance is adapted to reflect the implications of the virus.