A holistic approach to Divorce
A divorce can be one of the most difficult life events for a person to experience. You are bound to feel a rollercoaster of emotions from being overwhelmed, to stressed.
Whilst you let the Coles family team deal with your divorce and financial matters, we recommend the following courses of action for you to consider during the divorce process:
- You are responsible for your basic care – eat (three times a day), sleep (8 hours per night) and drink plenty of water (8 glasses per day).
- You need to gain or maintain a social life. Meet with your friends and family regularly.
- Invest time in or take up a new hobbyg. yoga, Pilates, golf.
- Keep active and fit – join a club or gym.
- Self-help activities e.g. meditation – try a phone app such as Silver Cloud, Calm or Headspace.
- Seek the assistance of a counsellor.
- Seek the assistance of a mediator
- It may be that you must consult with your employer about a change to your contracted working hours. You will need to think about child-care arrangements (nursery, breakfast and afterschool clubs), grants, benefits and bursary entitlement.
- You may inform the children’s school, so that they can spot any changes in their behaviour and are prepared and have the resources to support your child. Some schools can offer Play Therapy. Perhaps speak to the Head Teacher at the school.
- It may be that you have not worked previously or for a long period of time and require assistance in sourcing a new job or qualifications, the Job Centre or Citizens Advice Bureau could help with the provision of information in relation to your benefit entitlement and housing options.
- It is likely that you will need to consult with an Independent Financial Adviser in relation to e.g. pension sharing, re-mortgaging, mortgage capacity, releasing equity etc.
- In relation to child maintenance you can be supported by the Child Support Agency.
- To be able to co-parent peacefully you could make use of the Parenting plan available online here
- Furthermore, you could attend a parent education program, a 4-hour day-time programme with approximately 11 other people. The Teesside Separated Parenting Information Programme is held at Riverbank Children’s Centre, Gilmour Street, Thornaby, Stockton. The SPIP is not a parenting course. The purpose of the programme is to help parents understand how to put the needs of their children first even though they are separated and are likely to be in conflict with one another. In Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Darlington and Newton Aycliffe the course provider is Families Talking. In Durham the provider is Relate.
- You may need to make or renew your Wills and Trusts.
Coles’ friendly family team can demonstrate a great deal of empathy and understanding of the position you may find yourself in, your circumstances. The family team have excellent client care skills and provide unparalleled client service. We can sign-post you to a network of locally sourced contacts during the divorce process. We are more than just lawyers!
SPIP Local Providers:
Darlington and Durham – Lisa.arnell@impactfs.co.uk
Teesside – Teeside.spips@actionforchildren.org.uk
Knaresborough – Northyorkshire.spips@actionforchildren.org.uk
