Can you have a ‘conscious uncoupling’ without being a celebrity?

Naomi Hayward

Partner & Collaborative Lawyer

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July 13, 2020

Categories Family Law

Many celebrities over the years have announced a ‘conscious uncoupling’ or something similar when deciding to separate or divorce. Many will remember Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin coined the term in 2014 when they made a joint statement saying they “hope that as we consciously uncouple and co-parent, we will be able to continue in the same manner”.

Many of us will know that facing a separation can be one of the most difficult times of a person’s life and it can be full of challenging decisions and high emotions, particularly when children are involved.

However, if separating partners are able to agree at the outset to reach an amicable agreement about the finances and the arrangements for the children then this could avoid the stress, animosity and expense of a stereotypical divorce. This is something anyone can do, whether or not you have celebrity status.

One way that you could try to ‘consciously uncouple’ is to agree with your ex partner at the outset of your separation that you will try to reach an agreement through mediation. This is a process where the separating couple have several meetings with an independent and impartial mediator in an effort to reach an agreement in an amicable and constructive environment.

An alternative option is to agree to use the collaborative law process which is a process where you and your ex partner each instruct separate collaboratively trained lawyers and agree at the outset to meet altogether, face-to-face to work things out and reach an agreement. You would each sign an agreement at the outset indicating your commitment to resolving the issues outside of Court. This approach can be particularly constructive where children are involved to ensure an effective co-parenting relationship is maintained following the separation.

As family law in general encourages couples to explore these alternative methods of resolving issues following a separation, you too could aspire to and achieve a ‘conscious uncoupling’ just like an A-list celebrity by adopting one of these approaches.

For further information about the collaborative law process in relation to divorce, contact Naomi Hayward on 01227 763939 or email nfh@furleypage.co.uk