Hughes Paddison is delighted to warmly welcome Heidi Aitken to the Equity Partnership. Here we celebrate her career so far and hear about her plans, as an Equity Partner.
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This week is Good Divorce Week 2021 (29 Nov - 3 Dec). Every year this campaign starts important conversations around divorce and separation. It is organised by Resolution, a community of family justice professionals aiming to resolve separation issues in a constructive way and delivering better outcomes for their clients.
Resolution found that, two thirds of separated parents surveyed ahead of this week’s Good Divorce Week, said they lacked help or advice about how to put children first when they split from their partner.
This year Hughes Paddison and other Resolution members are helping to raise awareness about how parents can embrace a child-focused approach to separation.
We appreciate that when a relationship breaks down, particularly when children are involved, this can be a stressful and very upsetting time. So, we thought it might be helpful to share a few tips on how parents can put their children first during a divorce or separation.
Don’t force a child to talk if they are not ready. Try and practise active listening. Really focus on what your child is saying, being fully present and not distracted can really help them feel heard. Be sure to follow up on conversations and provide a constant channel of communication.
Let them know that they are loved by both parents and leaving each other does not mean either of you will be leaving them. Let them know that the love that you have for them will last forever and that they do not need to take sides. This may need to be said more than once.
Acknowledge the child’s feelings are normal, whether that’s sad, angry or distant. Ensure they have a safe space to express how they are feeling. Try not to judge or criticise their feelings even if they may be different to your own.
There will be a period of acceptance and adaptation and then resolution. This can take many months and much longer than it takes parents to come to these stages.
Provide comforting, stable, calm, and consistent parenting; focus on the needs of your child and respond to those needs.
Minimise exposure your child may have to any conflict there may be between you and your former partner. Make sure you maintain boundaries around adult issues, keeping your issues separate.
Provide space to the other parent to enable quality time with the child with both parents, where appropriate. Do not try to influence a child, however strongly you may feel.
Above all, make it clear that it is not their fault. Let them know they are not responsible for the break-up.
Collated by the experts at Resolution, this comprehensive guide offers lots of helpful tips on how to minimise the impact that going through a divorce can have on your children.
Download the Parenting through Separation Guide.
Our team of approachable divorce and family law specialists really understand the emotional issues surrounding separation.
Offering clear and unbiased help and advice, we work quickly and effectively to achieve a resolution and minimise any trauma or distress caused by your situation. Our experienced family team can be relied upon by you to be by your side throughout the process, ensuring the best possible outcome when it comes to disputes relating to children, property, assets or any other issues relevant on the breakdown of a relationship.
Within the team we have members of Resolution. Resolution promotes a code of conduct to be followed in family matters. The team at Hughes Paddison adopts a conciliatory approach whilst protecting our client's position and striving to reach a result which is fair.
Our Resolution Members include:
If you would like help and advice on any of the issues covered in this article, please do get in touch with our Family Law Team, we’d love to help you. Call 01242 574244 or contact us via our website.
The information contained on this page has been prepared for the purpose of this blog/article only. The content should not be regarded at any time as a substitute for taking legal advice.
Hughes Paddison is delighted to warmly welcome Heidi Aitken to the Equity Partnership. Here we celebrate her career so far and hear about her plans, as an Equity Partner.
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“Having the support of Marcus throughout what has been a very painful divorce has really helped me get through the last 18 months. Although this has personally been a very difficult process, I know that Marcus has done everything possible to make it as smooth as it can be. I really appreciate the honest, open feedback to all of my questions and also how quickly he responded to them. Above all else, Marcus really does seem to care about his clients and their families. I never had the feeling that this was just a job for Marcus, and I’m so grateful that I was fortunate enough to have had Marcus recommended to me when I did.”– R
“When you use a solicitor its usually in times of need, when you require expert advice and reassurance. This is exactly what our company has received from Hughes Paddison Solicitors and in particular Kimberly Whalen-Blake. Not only is Kimberly extremely well informed and professional; she is also personable and easy to communicate with. She responds to messages and emails promptly and goes over and above to assist. I would have no hesitation in recommending her services; and in the future, if necessary, I will definitely be calling on her expertise. ”– S - UK Parking Design
“ Hughes Paddison came highly recommended and they were not wrong. I am so glad I appointed Kim to represent me. It was a really difficult time and Kim swiftly and compassionately cut through to the crux of the issue and gave me such clear and great advice immediately. The outcome achieved was truly the best for myself and the organisation and avoided more stress for all parties involved, as it was solved very quickly. Most importantly for me, Kim handled the negotiations. The relief of handing this over to someone I completely trusted made a horrible situation much better. Many thanks to Kim and HP.”– Anon
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