Christmas may seem like a distant memory now, but sometimes the upset encountered during this period isn’t as easy to forget. This could be due to relationship difficulties or disagreements as to how the children should spend their time with their parents and extended family.

As family lawyers we often see an increase in the number of new enquiries we receive at this time of year. Generally it is not actually Christmas which is the cause of these disagreements, but it is the point at which long standing issues come to a head. The two to three weeks around this period can be intense with families spending prolonged periods of time together, the financial stresses associated with the season, high expectations which may not be met and increased consumption of alcohol leading people to be more vocal than they might otherwise be. It isn’t difficult to see why January is the month people decide it’s time to make a change.

When it comes to children sometimes parents forget what is actually in their best interests and view Christmas as the time of year they want to spend as much time with the children as possible, often forgetting about the other parent’s wishes and feelings and above all the children’s right to spend time with both parents at this special time of year.

Some initial legal advice could help put matters into perspective and may result in the issues in dispute being resolved, however sadly this is not always the case. But before you make any knee jerk decisions we do suggest that you obtain some legal advice.

Here at Ridley & Hall all of our lawyers are members of Resolution, a nationwide specialist organisation of Family Lawyers who are dedicated to help you resolve your family disputes in a constructive manner. We have accredited mediators who can help you resolve your disputes without the need to go to court. However if court proceedings are necessary we are here to guide you and secure the best outcome possible.

At Ridley & Hall, we know how daunting the process can be.  We offer a range of funding options and offer practical sound legal advice.  We want this to be about making the best of your future, rather than looking back at your past.

So whether you are looking at ending a relationship or you just want to make sure that contact arrangements are in place for this Christmas to save a repeat of the issues from last year we are here to help.

If you would like more information about our services, please call us on 0800 8 60 62 65 to speak to one of our experienced lawyers.

Loreena Walker – Legal Executive