SEPARATION AND DIVORCE ARE AMONG THE TOP STRESSORS IN LIFE.
We established Divorce Resource to provide you with the information, guidance, and tools to empower you to regain control of your life.
WHERE DO I START?
INFORMATION IS POWER
Whether you are married or cohabitating, unexpected issues and expenses arise in every separation and divorce. Divorce Resource provides the expertise to help you think through the entire process, from financial to familial concerns, so you can be confident in your decisions. Our tailored support means we can help in difficult situations such as where multi-cultural differences exist.
About Divorce Resource
We offer a confidential service to help you navigate the emotional and informational overload you may experience as you separate or divorce. We work with individuals as well as couples; either way, Divorce Resource provides a clear framework for understanding the process of separation and divorce, empowering you to make better-informed decisions in mediation or litigation.
But shouldn’t I just go to a solicitor?
Each party in a separation or divorce will require independent legal advice, regardless of whether you choose mediation or litigation. At Divorce Resource we believe being well prepared and clear-headed lays the groundwork for the process of separation and divorce to proceed more calmly and quickly. You will be a more confident client for your solicitor or mediator, which can translate into saving you time and money, and crucially minimising stress.
At Divorce Resource, we’re good listeners.
We will:
Listen to you explain your situation
Guide your expectations about the process
Explore how to manage the effects of separation and divorce on children
Explain the pros and cons of mediation and litigation
Be available to answer questions throughout the process of your separation or divorce
What we do
It sounds complicated. Do I need to know the legal side?
Divorce Resource is committed to helping you understand what you need to know.
We will:
Explain the legislation relevant to your situation
Explain what an Affidavit of Means is and why you must have one
Refer you to a solicitor, accountant, or other professional who you may need to help you along the way
What if I have already hired a solicitor and started the process?
Some clients have already begun to work with a mediator or solicitor, but find that the process is not running smoothly or feel that their viewpoint is not being adequately reflected.
we will:
Identify bottlenecks and their causes
Explore solutions supported by clear reasoning and documented financials
Explain options and how each choice may affect the overall situation
Mediation sounds great, but what is it?
In family mediation, a professional mediator helps separating or divorcing couples discuss the issues that concern them and reach an informed, legally binding agreement on some or all of those issues. Issues can include child custody and access, maintenance payments, and the distribution of family property.
But isn’t litigation ‘more legal’ than mediation?
Mediation covers the identical issues to those separating or divorcing couples argue about in court. The key difference between mediation and litigation is that in mediation a couple may reach an agreement by themselves for their future and that of their children. In a courtroom that decision-making power is handed over to a judge who does not have any personal knowledge of the people whose lives he or she is shaping.
Mediation
Fast
You decide your future
Affordable
vs.
Litigation
Slow
Courts decide your future
Expensive
If we go to mediation, do we need to provide all our financial information?
Yes. Each person in a mediation must have a full and accurate picture of the overall financial situation before they can begin to discuss an agreement. The same need for financial transparency exists in mediation as it does in litigation.
If my ex and I go to mediation, will we still need solicitors?
When a couple opts for mediation, each person should consult with their individual solicitor for guidance throughout the mediation process. In some mediation cases, the parties may decide their agreement will not be legally binding until a solicitor prepares it for the court to rule on.
What if I’m nervous about mediation?
Everyone who begins mediation is nervous. The Mediation Act 2017 allows for each party to have a support person with them during the mediation.
You do not have to face your ex partner during a mediation. It is common that each person is in a separate space during a mediation and the mediator shuttles between them.
How do I know who the right support person is?
The right support person is someone who can keep you calm and focused on what you want and need throughout the mediation process. For some, that person may be a friend or family member. For others, it would be uncomfortable or embarrassing for someone close to know the intimate details of your mediation.
At Divorce Resource we believe its is better to have a trained support person who actively listens to the mediation without becoming emotionally engaged. Our mediation support specialists stay with you every step of the way and help you stay focused.
What additional services
does Divorce Resource offer?
Provide you with independent mediation services
We can help you complete an in-depth Affidavit of Means to assist your solicitor or mediator
Identify strategies for achieving your financial and personal goals
Refer you to a panel of solicitors, accountants and other professionals for your consideration
Become an active assistant in managing your separation or divorce
Provide you with a mediation support specialist
Identify and formulate solutions for conflict triggers such as access handover
Work directly with solicitors and other professionals to ensure a holistic approach is taken to your situation
Why choose Divorce Resource?
We believe Family Law in Ireland is not designed to help separating and divorcing couples get through what can be a difficult and stressful experience in the best way possible. The nature of the legal system is to be adversarial and combative which is precisely what is not beneficial to either party.
At Divorce Resource our aim is to work with individuals or couples in the early stages of their separation. We listen to your questions and address your concerns, providing clear information. The more in control you feel about your situation and informed you are regarding your options, the better the decisions you will make for yourself and your family. Our goal is to empower you to manage your own process so that the outcome reflects your needs and ultimately protects all parties.
How does Divorce Resource save you money?
Each time you contact your solicitor, whether in person or by telephone, it costs money and can quickly add up. At Divorce Resource we address your questions and provide information during your initial consultation at a fraction of the cost. This means that when you engage with your solicitor you waste less time, getting better value for money as a better-prepared client.
Also, many templates for an Affidavit of Means are general and broad. Should you utilize a general template, both you and your ex-partner’s solicitor will regularly seek more specific information, racking up costs. The time-consuming flow of emails and letters between solicitors can become expensive. Extremely thorough and comprehensive, Divorce Resource’s template supplies complete, vouch-safe information to your solicitor, saving you significant time and money from the get-go.
Who are we
Laura Barnes
Laura Barnes holds a Master of Common Law from UCD's Sutherland School of Law and a Master of Business Administration from Harvard University. She is a qualified mediator specialising in family mediation and a member of the Mediation Institute of Ireland.
Sharon Kinsella
Sharon Kinsella has spent 25 years as an International Business Consultant specialising in HR solutions with a focus on corporate social responsibility. She is the former Board Director of the Australian-Irish Chamber of Commerce as well as Chairwoman and Board Director of a number of international NGO’s. Ms Kinsella brings 25 years of practical family law experience in both Australia and Ireland.
Schedule of Fees
Initial Consultation, individual
(1.5 hours)
€ 195
Initial Consultation, couple
(2 hours)
€ 250
Additional services
prices upon request
*All consultations will be conducted by zoom call so long as required by Government restrictions
Contact Us
Please provide contact details if you would like to be contacted by Divorce Resource. We can provide any additional information you require or can schedule a consultation or mediation.