The truth is that few of us can resist a bargain when conveniently and strategically placed, which is why the idea of buying a divorce at the supermarket – pioneered by the Co-op’s Legal Services – grabbed the public imagination when it was first launched.
The troubled organisation set up a family law practice when it was decreed that businesses, including banks and supermarkets, could be licensed to offer legal services.
The legal shake-up that heralded the Co-op’s family law service – and ironically dubbed the Tesco Law – adopted an IT conveyor belt approach with the size and sheer volume of cases keeping prices down.
As reduced profits and difficult trading conditions can put a strain on personal relationships, a cheap divorce may seem tempting. However, business owners need to think very carefully before cutting corners on such a life changing decision.
Can this really be the answer for couples who find that their marriage has fallen apart? Complex financial issues, disagreements about where children will live and pension arrangements will all require a more tailored and measured solution.
Successful firms wouldn’t dream of scrimping when it comes to obtaining sound financial advice because such expertise is necessary to ensure the business has a sustainable future.
Couples looking to separate need a bespoke service and one that means they can talk to an expert who will listen and offer solutions that work for their personal situation, particularly if they have a business. A solicitor who is a member of Resolution, the organisation for family lawyers committed to non-confrontational approaches to divorce, is very much alive to the needs of an individual client – not taking a ‘one size fits all approach’.
With the demise of legal aid for most family law matters, we know how important it is for people to keep down the cost of divorce – and an ‘off the shelf’ option may seem tempting. However, any good family lawyer will work with the client to manage costs and direct him or her to the most appropriate divorce option – whether mediation, collaboration, arbitration or simply good old-fashioned negotiation.
