Those of us that remember the introduction of smart-phones, will recall the early days when people still needed to be convinced of the virtue of apps. “There’s an app for that” became a common way of suggesting how people could simplify their lives. From obscure apps that would apply to filters to photographs, to mildly useful ones that acted as spirit levels or calorie counters, to apps that we now use in every day life, such as banking and booking apps. With such a wide variety of apps, it only stands to reason that there would be one to aid separated couples in co-parenting their children. By far one of the most popular of this kind is OurFamilyWizard, an app that helps parents sharing parental responsibility have an overview of schedules, files, contacts and communication.

We had the absolute pleasure of speaking to James Evans, Head of UK Professional Education at OurFamilyWizard, to ask him a little more.

How do you/your service help individuals with family law issues?

The focus of OurFamilyWizard is helping families to better co-parent and to put the emphasis back on what’s important. For many families, that is the arrangements for the children. OurFamilyWizard helps in reducing tense and distressing communication. Using the app helps ensure that the path forward for those families doesn’t include unnecessary upset and conflict.

What question are you most asked about you/your service?

The question I’m most asked is how does our OurFamilyWizard actually improve families lives. I answer that by saying it reduces conflict, improves family dynamics and makes life easier for everyone in their family, as well as making life easier for their legal representatives!

What would be your top piece of advice for someone going through a family law issue?

To consider all their options and ensure that the choices they make are ones that are best for their specific needs. Every case is different, every family has its own needs and people should be able to have time to think things through. Right at the outset, parents should think about what outcome they want and who they want to benefit most from that outcome. Inevitably, for most parents, they want the very best outcome for their children. In an ideal world, people would sit down and agree that the best interests of their children will be at the heart of all their decisions. Unfortunately, that is a lot easier said than done.

In family law, what do you think needs to change soon?

Language. The language in the legal community, but also the language used in the media.

Court cases are often referred to as someone versus someone else. This immediately implies that there is a battle, a winner and a loser. The language used should be more collaborative and more accessible for families going through the court process.

The language used in the media to describe family law cases is so adversarial and doesn’t give people an accurate representation of the options available to them to resolve their family law issues. Understandably, many people believe that when divorcing or deciding on arrangements for children, the only option is to get a lawyer and go to court. The media need to be more responsible for making language more inclusive and for highlighting alternative dispute resolutions such as arbitration and mediation.

I also believe that education on family law issues needs to begin way before a couple separates. Whilst no new parent or no newly engaged couple wants to consider the issues that they may be faced with down the line, it’s important that people are informed about these topics so that they realise the media portrayal of divorce and other family law issues is not always accurate.

What is the biggest thing you’ve learnt working in family law?

That it’s so tough for everyone, there is no one who has it easy. The reputation that lawyers have is unfair; family lawyers are worked to the bone. Every single person involved in family law is in it because they are a good person with good intentions. I’ve found that people don’t go into family law for any other reason than they want to help families.

There are so many problems with the court system, lack of resources and lack of funding which makes life really difficult for people working in family law. On the flipside, there is also so much good happening with people collaborating and working together. People will always find a way to help despite very difficult situations.