Viva Lewes Issue #153 June 2019

JO O’SULLIVAN
STORMY WEATHER
How to navigate the end
of a relationship
What’s going on with the weather in Lewes?
One day it is glorious sunshine, and another
it’s cold and rainy. As soon as I get my
sandals out it seems to always pour down
with rain.
As a Collaborative Family Lawyer and
Mediator, I work with couples ending
their relationship. Many will describe
their relationship as having been like our
changing weather... unpredictable and
exhausting.
Clients sometimes come to see me after a
particularly big row or a bad period – should
they stay or should they leave? How do they
know if the scales are tipped just too far in
wrong direction?
Remain or leave (no Brexit pun intended)?
Not an easy decision to make, with or without
children.
Many clients see me when they really are
not sure about what to do. Often I suggest
seeking couples or individual counselling
before going down any legal route.
Even if clients are not sure they may just
need to explore what ending a relationship
would involve, what are their rights and
responsibilities? I can certainly help with that.
More importantly, the process they choose
will dictate how they move forward as a
separated couple or as separated parents.
My view is that engaging a solicitor in a
campaign of letter writing will do little to
help and may well cause harm. Consider
‘round the table’ ways of working; including
mediation or collaborative practice.
Timing is important too – sometimes people
meet me and want to get on with things
straight away whilst others need more time
and only start things off months or even years
later. As I always say, ‘here if you need me’.
Please call to discuss what might be the best process for you
on 07780676212 or email jo@osullivanfamilylaw.com
For more details about how I work visit
www.osullivanfamilylaw.com