Law Firm’s Advice Line to Help New Year Divorce Woe

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Edinburgh family law firm Gibson Kerr is supported by Holyrood PR PR in ScotlandLaw team gives expert divorce advice

A Scottish family law firm is to reintroduce a special divorce advice hotline over the New Year period, in order to deal with calls about marital disputes during the holiday season.

Edinburgh-based Gibson Kerr will be on hand to take urgent enquiries over the Hogmanay break from couples who are desperate for professional advice about divorce and separation.

The New Year holidays is traditionally the most common time of year for couples to consider a divorce, with research last year from the family dispute resolution Helpline showing that more than one and a half million people across the UK contemplated splitting up over the festive period.

Gibson Kerr believes that many of these couples need access to professional advice to ensure that the festive season does not become even more of a turbulent and difficult time – but are unable to obtain it, as the majority of legal firms shut down for the Hogmanay holidays and do not respond to enquiries.

Partner Fiona Rasmusen said: “More divorces are triggered over the festive period than at any other time; it is a trend that, unfortunately, occurs every year. Many people find the stress of the Christmas and New Year holidays puts their relationships under enormous strain and often this leads them to breaking point.

“Issues such as money or family conflicts are often the main causes of marital disputes at this time of year. Emotions run high and this can often escalate to people considering beginning divorce proceedings against their partners.

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“However, as many legal firms go into shut down over the holidays, these people often don’t have access to the kind of professional advice they need. By the time their solicitor opens for business again in January, their relationship may have deteriorated further. 

“Not being able to speak to a lawyer for several days can be very difficult for all parties concerned so we decided to set up a hotline that allows people to make contact with us – even if this is New Years Eve or January 1st. We introduced the service last year and it was warmly received by our clients, so we have brought it in again for 2010.

“In some cases, being able to speak with a solicitor without delay can actually help to prevent a couple starting divorce proceedings. We try to offer the kind of constructive help that can perhaps diffuse a difficult situation, rather than letting partners emotions run high or allowing resentment to fester over the holidays.

“Of course, if it transpires that divorce is the only option, then we can provide appropriate legal advice and support about how to start this process. By being on standby to respond to calls over Hogmanay, we can make sure that ensure that the process is as quick and painless as possible.”

The Gibson Kerr hotline – 0131 225 7558 – will be set up over the New Year holiday to respond to divorce calls. Callers will be advised to leave a message, and will receive a response on the same day from one of the firm’s expert divorce law advisors. 

Gibson Kerr is a family-run law firm that has been established in Edinburgh for more than 100 years. It has an excellent reputation for providing a comprehensive service encompassing both property and personal law, including powers of attorney, executries and wills.