Christmas is closer than we all think and closer than some would care to imagine but it will be here before we know it. For most, Christmas is the happiest time of the year and is filled with fun times with family. For others, particularly separated families, it can be the most difficult time of the year.

The Justice Secretary, David Gauke has announced plans to introduce no fault divorce. It has been reported that he is preparing a consultation on reforming the current divorce law which is over 40 years old!

In the first instance no they are not! The law in England and Wales concerning dividing assets and liabilities on divorce is exactly the same whether the respective spouses are living in suburbia or the countryside. The starting point or “yardstick” is equality with consideration given to a number of factors in order to help in determining what is “fair”.

As the case of Owens v Owens reaches the Supreme Court today there are continued calls for a change in the law to allow for no fault divorce. The law now requires one person to blame the other for the divorce unless they are prepared to wait 2 years. Even if both parties agree that the marriage is over, blame must be apportioned.

A Judge has recently described an ongoing Divorce case as a “scandalous waste of court time”. The assets of the case amount to around £6.6million and £2million has already been spent on legal fees, regrettably the case is yet to conclude so the legal costs will continue to escalate.

Understandably, when people think of divorce they often associate this with going to Court. In reality, however, there are alternatives able for divorcing couples. Court proceedings can stressful for all involved and may not be the most appropriate pro-cess for your case.

There's been a visible increase in the divorce rates among men and women over the age of 65 over the past ten years.

When schools break up for the holidays, it can be a difficult time for parents - particularly those who are bringing up children alone.