How to Tell Your Family You’re Divorcing

North Ford Solicitors • 16 February 2022

Going through a divorce can be hard enough on its own, but when it comes to telling your family, it’s even more painful. Finding the right way to tell each member of your family is an important step in making the divorce official. Here are some tips on how to tell your family about your upcoming separation.

Telling Your Kids

If you have children, telling them that you are getting divorced can be difficult but is one of the most important things you do. Make sure that you tell them as soon as possible so that they hear it from you and not from someone else.

Plan to sit them down in a safe space and let them know that you both still love them and share what changes they can expect moving forward. Leave space for them to ask a lot of questions and be ready for emotions. If you are a family who uses therapy, book them an appointment so that they can talk it through with their therapist. When telling children about a divorce, you should try and be a united front for them. Even if you are angry with your partner, it is important that you don’t show that to your children. Be honest with them but also keep the information that you are giving them age-appropriate.

Telling Your Parents and Siblings

If you have been together for a long time, telling your parents and siblings can be difficult because your partner has likely become close with them as well. It is important to tell them soon after you have made the decision. If you tell them before your children or other close members of your family, warn them not to talk about it yet. That way they don’t accidentally say something to someone who is not meant to know until later.

Telling Your Extended Family

Telling your extended family can happen a little bit more naturally. If there are any members who you feel especially close to, you should speak with them directly and in a timely manner. Anyone outside of your closest circle you can choose if you want to let them know yourselves or if you would like the news to trickle out to them through the closer family members who already know the news.

Although this is an incredibly difficult thing to talk to loved ones about, it is an important step and needs to be done carefully. Family members may feel very invested in the decision and you must be firm that this is the best decision for you as a couple.

Are you ready to file for divorce? Northford Solicitors is here to help.

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Kings Bench Division Grants Injunctive Relief to Applicant in Libel Claim

by North Ford Solicitors • 15 April 2025

North Ford Solicitors successfully represented a Claimant in a High Court libel claim for damages of over £100,000. The case, heard in the Kings Bench Division, resulted in a significant victory for the Claimant, who was awarded a default judgment, injunctive relief, and costs. The Claimant was represented by Salmaan Islam and Alexander Braidwood of North Ford Solicitors, with Dr. Liam Wells from Fraser Chambers acting as Counsel. The background of the case involves defamatory statements made by the Defendant on a Facebook group, alleging that the Claimant had bugged her phone and tracked her location without consent. These allegations were vehemently denied by the Claimant, who maintained that the posts were untrue and had caused serious harm to the Claimant’s reputation. Despite being served with the Claim Form, the Defendant failed to acknowledge service or file a defence, prompting the Claimant to seek summary judgment. In the submissions, the Claimant argued that the Defendant had no real prospect of success in defending the claim and that the defamatory posts had caused significant reputational damage. The court was urged to grant summary judgment to further the overriding objective of the Civil Procedure Rules, which aims to deal with cases justly and efficiently. The court agreed, noting that the Defendant's non-engagement justified proceeding in the Defendant’s absence. The court's decision included granting an injunction requiring Meta to remove the defamatory posts from Facebook and restraining the Defendant from making further defamatory publications. Additionally, the court awarded the costs of the application hearing to the Claimant. The quantum of damages is to be assessed at a future hearing, ensuring that the Claimant receives appropriate compensation for the harm caused by the defamatory statements. This case underscores the importance of addressing defamatory statements swiftly and effectively, particularly in the digital age where such statements can spread rapidly and cause significant harm. North Ford Solicitors remains committed to protecting the reputations of our clients and ensuring that justice is served in cases of defamation. If you feel that you have been the victim of defamation of character, contact North Ford Solicitors for more information on how to proceed with your case.