BREAKTHROUGH AFTER A BREAK-UP

BY SAMANTHA IWERS, SENIOR SOLICITOR AT BEST WILSON BUCKLEY FAMILY LAW

Change is scary, right?

Deciding to separate from your partner can be an overwhelming process, whether it is a joint decision or something initiated by only one person in the relationship.

There are many factors to be considered as you step into this new phase of your life, including arrangements for your children, dividing your finances and property, and sometimes even planning for your safety.

A wise woman once told me that you can’t eat an elephant in one go, but if you take it bite by bite, it’s achievable.

The key is to arm yourself with knowledge obtained from quality advice so you are better informed about the best approach to take, and to surround yourself with people who provide you with positive support.

My tips to help break the proverbial elephant down are:

■ It is important to obtain legal advice from a lawyer specialising in family law sooner rather than later.

Knowing the process early on will help to protect you, your children and your financial position, and hopefully move you towards reaching an amicable resolution without the need to go down the Court pathway.

■ As you commence negotiations around the division of your property, ensure that you continue to engage with your accountant and financial advisor to remain well informed about the avenues available to you and any financial impact with respect to the division of your property.

■ Most importantly, look after yourself.

If you are having difficulty coping, then don’t hesitate to reach out for support, whether that be from friends or family or from a professional support network.

Your family lawyer will also be in a position to point you in the right direction for services and organisations that are relevant to your circumstances.

While change is rarely comfortable, in life it is necessary.

Separation is likely to be a challenging stage of your life, but with quality professional advice and positive support networks, you will be better equipped to move forward into this new phase of your life and your new beginning.