If you have reached the end of the road in your marriage, you are not alone.
According to the Australia Bureau of Statics, there were 49,510 divorces in Australia in 2020. Sadly, this trend is set to rise as the pandemic continues to put pressure on many marriages.
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You may have already tried counselling and mediation, and that hasn't worked, so the next steps are to work out how can you divorce well and exit your marriage amicably and without bitterness.
There are some great resources available.
For example, if you are going through a family separation, Interrelate can help. They offer services to help you communicate with the other parent and avoid conflict. Find more at interrelate.org.au.
You can also find helpful information on The Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia website at fcfcoa.gov.au/fl/divorce/divorce-overview. There is information about how and when to apply for a divorce, advice if you have children or property and financial issues.
The Family Relationship Advice Line is another excellent resource. It is a national telephone service that helps families affected by relationship or separation issues, including information on parenting arrangements after separation. You can call them on 1800 050 321.
Angela Harbinson, CEO and co-founder of The Separation Guide, said a clear and worrying trend emerged during the lockdown periods in 2021.
Figures released by The Separation Guide revealed the impact of the pandemic in Australia, with a 90 per cent increase in requests for legal advice and a 42 per cent increase in people seeking marriage counselling.
"People are reporting the burden of home schooling, on-going pressures of working from home, communication breakdowns and the immense financial pressures that are associated with the pandemic," Harbinson said.
"And our message is the same: make sure you get the support you need to make the best decisions you can in your own unique circumstances."
There is plenty of useful information on theseparationguide.com.au.
Even if you are on good terms with your soon-to-be-ex, the process can be challenging, so you may need to enlist some expert advice.
A good divorce lawyer will ease you through the process as painlessly as possible.
Double-check they have the experience you need, not only in divorce law but areas of family law such as parenting matters, property settlements, child support matters, and spousal maintenance.
On the whole, a good divorce lawyer will resolve any disputes without the need to go to court. However, if this is not possible, they will also be experienced in the process and determined to represent you successfully.
