Family Law Firm to Dispel Myths Fuelled By Celebrity Splits

Aug. 5, 2009 - PRLog -- High-profile celebrity break-ups are fuelling common myths about divorce and sending the wrong messages to struggling couples, leading family law specialist Woolley & Co has warned.

Celebrities such as Katie Price and Peter Andre, Madonna and Guy Ritchie, and Kym Marsh and Jack Ryder have all been embroiled in divorces this year, bringing legal separation issues into the headlines, but all the talk of “quickie divorces” and generous settlements is prompting more couples to have unrealistic expectations of divorce.

Andrew Woolley, senior partner at the virtual law firm, said, “Taking Jordan and Peter as an example, the reports are suggesting that rather than waiting the usual six months, the couple has asked the court to speed up proceedings in order to get a divorce finalised in as soon as a month. That will not and cannot legally happen under English Law. It is giving people false expectations and the headlines about celebrity divorces are a world away from the detail of the situation.

“Whilst they might get the decree nisi agreed quickly, everyone has to wait the same length of time – six weeks and one day – before the decree absolute can be applied for. That is the law, so a quickie divorce is a fallacy.”

High profile couples often agree on the finances outside of court in order to keep things moving as quickly as possible and to avoid getting bogged down in discussions in court. Dealing with them away from the glare of media attention is also preferable to many celebrity couples.

The same rules apply to the average couple, but they might not be so reticent to go to court if an agreement cannot be reached, which can make a divorce take longer. Expectations can be set unrealistically, and many in the process of divorce believe that they can get a mythical quickie divorce and want to know why their case is dragging on.

Mr Woolley added, “The divorces of these celebrities may sell papers and people do have a fascination with them, but they are of little real relevance to the normal person. We need to do all we can to diffuse these myths to enable couples to manage their own divorce in the most appropriate way – and that always starts with finding a divorce lawyer or at least taking professional advice from an experienced family lawyer who will explain the process to them.”

In a bid to dispel some of the myths surrounding divorce, Woolley & Co is to publish a book on the subject, tackling such issues as “common law” man and wife as well as myths such as “the children always go with the mum” and “she always gets the house”. 101 Myths about Divorce and Separation will be available in September.

About Woolley & Co. Solicitors: Woolley & Co. Solicitors are family law specialists, operating throughout the UK. Their web site, http://www.family-lawfirm.co.uk, includes an extensive selection of articles covering every aspect of divorce as well as a free, downloadable in-depth guide to undergoing a divorce and overcoming any unseen complications that may arise. Find out more about getting a divorce with a fixed fee divorce lawyer at http://www.family-lawfirm.co.uk.

Editor's Note: Woolley & Co. Solicitors is represented by search engine optimisation agency, Top Position. Please direct all press queries to Tina Clough. Email: tina@topposition.co.uk or call: 01623 726233.