Case Study ::  Family Law ::  Financial Negotiations

Barry: case study in a financial negotiations family law case

Divorce Consultant Shelagh Goldie reports how she helped Barry (names have been changed) prepare for his appearance in court in divorce proceedings during autumn 2007. Barry was referred by his solicitor at Withy King in Bath on a divorce case. He was worried sick about going to court.

Shelagh writes that she has helped Barry:

• To prepare for the experience.  
• Understand the process and the actual preparation he should do - e.g. learning how to keep calm.  
• To instruct his solicitor more clearly and helped him understand the reality of his divorce case - the worst outcome and the best outcome.  
• Helped him to see things from different people's point of view - he had not fully contemplated his options prior to our work with him.  
• Have a much better understanding of the no blame and no punishment approach. He said it highlighted that 'the law is an ass!'   
• Recognise that his behaviour would not be taken into account in any settlement, but rather it would focus on needs.  

The negotiations:

• He said he felt he was taking a more pragmatic approach on the day of the financial negotiations and his solicitors had mentioned this.  
• It gave him closure and helped him handle things better.  
• He had a better understanding of his expectations.  
• Previously his solicitor had mentioned that he was idealistic and had been unreasonably optimistic.  
• He felt he listened better rather than trying to pursue a pointless avenue.  
• He had a better realisation of accepting the actual situation as it is, not what he wanted it to be. 

How Barry felt

• It forced him to evaluate what he was really expecting to get out of the settlement. 
• It helped him to realise how he had to be very focused on how to answer and not be drawn into something he did not want to say - how to handle the grey areas. 
• He felt generally this was good preparation for court and how to handle the financial negotiations and the divorce process. 

Do you know anyone who is worried sick about going to court whom we could help? Click here to contact us.

It’s important to note that we prepare clients for their experience in the family court and under no circumstances do we rehearse the evidence, coach or discuss the evidence or detail of the case. 

Why not contact us now and tell us how we can help.