Family law lawyers and the impact of divorce on children

When a marriage has irretrievably broken down the spouses usually realise quickly that they will need legal advice and seek the counsel of family law lawyers. The welfare of any children of the union can be a more difficult subject to broach. However, with thought and consideration divorce can be made less traumatic for the children.

Figures for 2007 reveal that over 50 per cent of divorcing couples were the parents of at least one child under the age of 16. That year, in England and Wales, 117,193 children under 16 experienced divorce. Of those children, 63 per cent were under 11 and 20 per cent were under 5 years old.

Experts widely believe that past stigmas associated with divorce are abating and that children can survive marriage dissolution emotionally intact, so long as the right types of familial and emotional relationships are nurtured after the parents have separated.

As reported in the Western Mail, Eileen Hayes, a parenting advisor for the NSPCC (National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children) suggests that young people are able to flourish in various home situations whether it is with a single parent, grand parents or same-sex parents.

"What is most important is that children have unconditional love and parents who think that they are the most important people in the world," she says.

Research on children and divorce

Doctor Sally Holland, from Cardiff University's Childhood Research Group, highlights research suggesting that although there are fewer typical models for standardised family living in modern society, the one prevailing social norm is that parents – especially mothers – are expected to put their children's needs before their own.

Doctor Holland's statements suggest that as divorce becomes less of a social stigma parents who feel they must separate do not suffer so much as a result of old-fashioned prejudices against them and this can lead to better relationships with the children – especially for fathers.

"Research studies have become more sophisticated and look at how children respond over a period of time and also differences between siblings and different types of post-divorce parenting arrangements," she says

Dr Holland proposes that evidence has revealed many children of divorced parents can emerge with greater sophistication in the realms of intimate relationships as they have been forced to be emotionally and physically more independent than children of married parents.

The Royal College of Psychiatrists suggests that parents involved in a divorce can help family relations by:

• assuring the children that both parents still love them and will continue to love and care for them;
• not transferring their adult worries onto the children; and,
• by reassuring the children that the responsibility for the divorce lies with the parents and not with them.

The Royal College of Psychiatrists has produced a fact sheet for parents and teachers that can provide practical and relevant information regarding the emotional and behavioural welfare of children who are experiencing the divorce of their parents. It can be accessed by clicking here.

Family law lawyers and family advice

Seeking advice from a family law lawyer is essential at the outset of divorce proceedings to ensure fair financial settlement and the provision of satisfactory arrangements for any children of the marriage. As Resolution members, accredited in private children disputes, JMW's divorce solicitors are committed to adopting a sensitive, conciliatory approach whenever appropriate to ensure the most favourable outcome for all child specific issues including residency, contact and removal from jurisdiction.

If you have made the decision that your marriage has reached a point where divorce proceedings are necessary, the family law lawyers at JMW Solicitors in Manchester can help.

For a no-obligation discussion please call us on: 0845 872 6666. Alternatively complete our online enquiry form and one of our family law lawyers will be happy to answer any questions you may have regarding divorce proceedings and arrangements for children.