The BBC drama series The Split, featuring family law firms, got off to a roaring start with the main characters at each other’s throats and competing to sign up rich clients.

It will no doubt continue with more high-powered thrills and spills but while it may be gripping entertainment, it’s far removed from the real thing.

Good family solicitors will always do what’s best for their clients and steer them through divorce proceedings in the least stressful way possible.

There is obviously so much to consider when a marriage breaks down including life-affecting issues such as a financial settlement and arrangements over children.

As The Split drama series shows, feelings can get very high in the emotionally charged atmosphere of divorce, especially when one partner may have had an affair or is trying to be unreasonable over money or child arrangements.

In these circumstances your lawyer will do everything possible to ensure confrontation is avoided and try to reach a settlement that is fair to both sides. In some circumstances, we might recommend forms of mediation.

Mediation is an informal process in which a trained mediator helps the couple to resolve difficult issues amicably. The mediator’s role is to act as a facilitator to help the couple share information and reach an agreement. It is not to offer advice or favour one side or the other.

Once the couple reach agreement, the mediator will record it in two summaries. Both husband and wife should then give those summaries to their respective solicitors, so they can form the basis of a consent order.

Mediation may not be suitable for everyone but for thousands of couples it has already provided a way to reduce the stress and heartache to a minimum. This is particularly important when parents may need to maintain a good working relationship into the future for the sake of their children.

These real-life approaches may not be as dramatic and exciting as The Split, but they are a lot less damaging and stressful.

Please contact us if you would like more information about the issues raised in this article or any aspect of family law.