A recent major divorce study by Co-operative Legal Services shows that marriages are more likely to break down as a result of bad behaviour – not adultery.

The study analysed more than 5 million divorce cases between 1970 and the present day and as times are changing bad behaviour seems to be more common for the grounds of divorce.

Results showed that couples are half as likely to divorce on grounds of adultery than forty years ago – Whereas complaints of unreasonable behaviour have shot up from 28% in 1970 to almost half (47%) in today’s figures.

In the 1970s 29% of marriages ended because of infidelity, but in comparison, cheating spouses cause just 15% of divorces.

If you are considering separating from your partner and want to know your options or any advice on what you can do, call us on 01246 555610 or visit our website at vineslegal.co.uk

Is your relationship causing more stress than happiness? Maybe the person that used to put a smile on your face now ties your stomach in knots, brings a tear in your eye, or just makes you sigh?  If it seems like your relationship is just going backwards, maybe it’s time to ask that obvious question:

"Is it time to move on?"

The biggest mistake most couples make is staying too long in a relationship that is heading nowhere.

If you love and respect yourself and your partner, you owe it to both of you, to be honest with each other and make a courageous decision that frees you both for what you really long for: A love that actually works.

Are you feeling like your relationship hurts more than makes you happier?

Do you keep having the same old arguments about the same things?

By paying attention to the most obvious signs that it’s time to move on, you can honour both yourself and your partner and give both of you the biggest gift of all: The freedom to find a love that’s meant to last.

For advice on separation please contact us on 01246 555 610 or visit vineslegal.co.uk for all our free help and advice pages.  

Overweight people are less likely to divorce as size could determine whether you marriage fails or not.

Research done by online separation service Mydivorcepapers.com shows that People weighing 101 to 200lbs are three times more likely to end their marriage.

The site found that out of 2,708 cases, 2,054 involved individuals in that weight bracket: almost 76%.  People weighing between 201 and 250lbs accounted for 493 of the cases (18.2%), and only 143 divorce cases involved people weighing over 250lb (just over five per cent).

The results seem to show that happy people eat more and 62% of people admitted gaining up to a stone since being in a relationship, while 72% also think that their loved one has put weight on too.

Part of this seems down to mirroring your beloved's eating habits as 52% of women say they often eat the same amount as their male partner, and 56% admit this means they eat much larger portions than they would normally.  Upon entering into a happy relationship, 30% of couples say their main activity together becomes staying in and watching television, while 20% say eating out together is a key bonding pastime.

If you find yourself in the situation of separating you can either visit our website for information on divorce or give us a call on 01246 555 610.

Divorce or relationship breakdown can lead to emotional meltdown. Most of us try to hold it together in the workplace but that isn't always possible. There are various situations that can change when going through this difficult time.

Your attendance at work could be affected, arriving late, leaving early, as well as new arrangements about childcare.  Just remember that employers are there to talk to when times are hard, they will appreciate your honesty and will work with you. Be careful with the amount of alcohol you consume, drinking heavily can affect your job and how you perform in your role, even the day afterwards.

Remember work can be a really stabilising influence on your life during divorce; it may be one of the major life structures that does not change.  So don't let divorce derail your work!

We can help you through your divorce and provide you with all the advice you will need on how to deal with this.  Please give us a call today to find out how we can help on 01246 555 610.

Recent research by the RAND Corporation has found that each lengthy deployment in the military is a step towards a failing marriage.

The study, used information from 462,444 enlisted service members who were married while serving in the military between March 1999 and June 2008.

The results show that 97% of divorces occurred after a return from deployment. Women were found to be more likely to divorce after spending time away, than men.

The research also suggests that military families without children were also more likely to divorce. Couples who married before 2001 were 28% more likely to divorce within three years of marriage if one or both spouses experienced a deployment to Afghanistan or Iraq.

In contrast, couples who married after the 9/11 attacks experienced a lower divorce rate. Researchers speculate that this is because those who married post 9/11 were better equipped to deal with the difficulties of war and subsequent stress in the relationship.

Divorce can be a hard time especially when you are in the military. For more information about how we can support you in separation, contact us on 01246 555 610 or visit vineslegal.co.uk.

With child care bills rising and household incomes staying the same it’s no wonder parents are feeling the strain over the holidays.

A study has shown that out of a poll taken as many as a fifth of parents reported considering a separation or divorce by the end of the holidays.

The report suggests that trying to get the correct balance of work and child care as well as financial costs is adding pressure to couples.

This comes with added back up from top divorce lawyers, declaring that when families spend more time together than usual, as they would in holidays, this puts a strain on relationships and helps push them to the brink of divorce.

In the early January, after the holidays have finished, Lawyers have reported seeing an annual spike in inquiries about divorce, a trend which they suggest could be linked to a series of factors stemming from holidays.

Polling for the legal firm Stowe Family Law found that almost 2 out of 10 of parents had re-evaluated their relationship – in some cases including considering divorce or separation – at the end of a holiday period.

If you find yourself in a similar situation you can get some advice from or solicitors who specialise in divorce by calling us on 01246 555610  

A serial conman, Roy Moyse, who wiped out a wealthy divorcee of £125,000 to repay his own gambling debts has been ordered to pay back Karen Culverwell just £1.

This is after the Court heard he had no assets, of any financial value, to his name that he could give to her.

Mr Moyse had just been released from prison for a string of similar offences, where he targeted vulnerable women, like Mrs. Culverwell.

He moved in with her in Christchurch, Dorset, after discovering she was divorcing her husband, a company director and was due for to get a hefty settlement.

During their two year relationship he convinced her to loan him money and give him access to her bank account.

Moyse, 45, recently jailed again for two years in May after pleading guilty to six counts of fraud, reappeared at Bournemouth Crown Court for a confiscation hearing to determine how much money he should repay Mrs Culverwell.

A Judge ordered him to pay her the token sum of £1 as that is all he could afford right now!  

Pensions and divorce law have changed other the years and as divorce and separation are more common than ever and the rates keep on increasing, couples need information and advice on sharing their assets fairly and amicably.

As pensions can be a complicated area, they are sometimes the single asset that is the most overlooked and even when they are taken into consideration more often than not they aren’t split to the satisfaction of both parties.

When it comes to finding a solution that favours both parties the three main ways of sharing pension assets are:

• Sharing
• Offsetting
• Earmarking

Sharing

Pension sharing allows the parties to split the pension into two individual pensions upon the date of divorce.  Unlike Earmarking, this allows each party to retire when they want within the rules prescribed in the pension scheme.

Offsetting

Offsetting means that one partner’s pension is traded off against the other’s assets accumulated from the marriage, such as the home or investments etc, to try to give each party a fair share

Earmarking

This allows the parties to split the rights to the benefits of the pension when it becomes payable.  When the pension is due to pay out, it will pay both parties, with each party getting the percentage agreed upon in the divorce.

Pension sharing, however, is fast becoming the favourite option, as it is seen as a complete and clean break away from one another.

Please note each divorce situation is different, and as they can be a very complicated and emotive subject it is important that you seek guidance from both a solicitor and a qualified independent financial adviser to find out which of the above options may best suit your circumstances.

At Vines Legal, we can offer advice and help you through all aspects of divorce.  You can contact us today.

Recent marriage statistics out confirm that almost half of all marriages in the UK end in divorce.

This is sad news not only for those adults involved but also for the children affected as a result of relationships breaking down. Children seeing the separation process can often be scary, leading to feelings of anxiety, upset and anger.

Government research shows that children whose parents divorce at a older age, talking as young as seven or eight, often find it more challenging to trust people and make friends, as well as it having a direct impact on development and social skills as they age.

It’s been investigated in detail by various leading authorities about the impact divorce and relationship separation, it has on children and adolescents, one thing is clear, that emotional and behavioural problems in children are more common when their parents are fighting or separating.

Parents who are separating can help their children by doing simple things like:

• Making sure that the children know they still have two parents who love them
• Protect their children from adult worries and responsibilities
• Make it clear that the responsibility for what is happening is the parents' - and not theirs
• Carry on with the usual activities and routines, like seeing friends and family
• Make as few changes as possible

Leading children’s support charity, Childline is private and confidential, offering a free service where children can call and speak to an operator about any issue they are facing, big or small.

Divorce isn’t something that couples always see coming, but if you feel unhappy in your relationship it may be worth you speaking to an independent source, our website has a vast amount for free information and articles available to you, simply click https://www.vineslegal.co.uk  

Recent polls have found that unpredictably, DIY which is often known to aid happy relationships, is also a now a leading cause for divorce across the globe, as home renovations increase stress and arguments.

Over 50% of those surveyed by home improvement website Houzz.com, responded that their renovation process caused a significant amount of stress in their marriages. In fact, approximately 12% of those polled indicated that the stress of renovation caused them to consider or pursue divorce or separation.

One thing relationship experts recommend is that couples who are considering home makeovers consider rooms for each couple to decorate individually, as this is known to take some of the stress out of the process as couples are not forced to attempt to mix their personal styles.

Other reasons for divorces now include:

1. Lack of Communication
2. Infidelity
3. Alcohol or Substance Abuse
4. Abuse (Mental or Physical)
5. Financial Problems
6. Cultural or Religious Difference
7. Sexual Incompatibility
8. Differences in Priorities or Goals
9. Family Issues – Child Rearing or Extended Family Issues
10. Boredom

If you are thinking about divorce in your relationship, feel free to contact our team to discuss how we can help facilitate this on 01246 555 610.