Keystone Law

HOW NO-FAULT DIVORCE COULD HELP YOU SEPARATE AMICABLY

Leigh on Sea resident and family lawyer, Richard Abrahams, explains the biggest change to divorce laws in the past 50 years that comes into force on 6 April. The new “no-fault divorce” law means that separating couples will no longer have to apportion blame in order to be granted a divorce.

CURRENT LAW Separating couples have to prove one or more facts to show that their relationship has irretrievably broken down. The facts are: • unreasonable behaviour • adultery (in respect of a divorce) • desertion (for at least 2 years) • 2 years’ separation (with consent of both parties) • 5 years’ separation If one half of the couple disagrees with the divorce, they can contest it and potentially even prevent it. NEW LAW 1. Divorce can be granted without blame and separating couples will no longer have to rely on one of the “five facts” to prove the ground for divorce. 2. Couples can apply for a divorce jointly and agree together that their relationship has irretrievably broken down. 3. There will be a minimum of 20 weeks between the application and conditional order to incorporate a ‘period of reflection’ to give couples an opportunity to work through their differences before committing to a divorce. 4. It will no longer be possible to contest a divorce to stop people from being forced to remain married to incompatible partners. WHAT DOES THIS ALL MEAN FOR SEPARATING COUPLES? Couples can now make separation as amicable as possible. By removing the blame, you can avoid going to court, saving considerable time, costs and stress.

HOW KEYSTONE LAW CAN HELP Whenever a couple chooses to separate, it can be a difficult and emotionally challenging time.

. ORACLE EXCLUSIVE If you are considering a divorce and would like to discuss your options, please contact Richard quoting “Oracle” to arrange a free 30-minute

confidential call.

RICHARD ABRAHAMS | PARTNER e: richard.abrahams@keystonelaw.co.uk t: 020 3319 3700

THE ULTIMATE TRIBUTE TO ABBA

FROM 9.30pm, FRIDAY 15th APRIL 2022

Book a 3-course meal in our Waterfront Restaurant for £65 per person to guarantee the best seats in the house, or booth packages are also available from £20 per person. BOOK NOW ON 01702 352 919 TO SECURE YOUR TABLE OR BOOTH

A non-refundable deposit of £20 per person is required on booking in the Restaurant & £10 per person when booking a booth. This event can only be viewed or accessed when booking either a table in the Waterfront Restaurant or a booth. Booth drinks packages are available (Please ask for details when making your booking enquiry). Walk ins are welcome from 9pm, £15 per person.

Havens

far more than just Whilst ‘hospice’ is a word that can conjure up thoughts and feelings around death, Havens Hospices a Hospiceis trying to dispel those myths so it can provide more care for more people. Fair Havens originally opened its doors in 1983, in a converted house of Chalkwell Avenue, Since then, the hospice has cared for tens of thousands of local people from across Garry Lowen's story Southend, Castle Point and Rochford, either within the In Patient Unit, through its Hospice at Home Service or other out-patient style services.

Family – and those people important to the patient – are integral to this care too. Countless loved ones have been supported both pre and post bereavement through counselling and group therapy sessions. When Fair Havens moved to its new, £17.5 million purpose-built hospice in March 2020, the charity had big plans ONE OF THOSE PATIENTS IS GARRY LOWEN. Garry and his wife Penny to expand its care for the community. run the Gleneagles Guesthouse in Southend, an 18-bedroom Victorian The first patient was admitted on 9th guesthouse and tearoom. The 63 year old chaired the Southend Carnival Association, Thorpe Bay Rotary Club and many mayoral charity committees, March, and two weeks later the Covid all of which have raised money for Havens Hospices at some point during lockdown restrictions took hold. his tenure. However, despite the pandemic, Fair IN APRIL 2021, GARRY WAS DIAGNOSED WITH MOTOR NEURON DISEASE, Havens continued providing care, both within the hospice and in the homes and turned to Fair Havens for support shortly afterwards. He has stayed at the hospices In Patient Unit in Prittlewell, and regularly visits the Hub – an outpatient-style service for various treatments, therapies and group of patients who wanted to avoid going activities. into hospital at the end of their life. In GARRY SAYS, “IT WAS A HUGE SHOCK WHEN I WAS DIAGNOSED with fact, demand for its Hospice at Home motor neuron disease. We’d just spent 18 months trying to keep our service increased by 40% during the business afloat, I'd also had COVID and I had nothing left in the tank to take first few months of the pandemic. In the the diagnosis. I was completely burnt out. I quickly decided that I needed to engage in services because it’s not only about me - it’s about my wife. Fair first year of the hospice being opened, Havens came to see me and I wouldn’t be here today if they hadn’t. it actually cared for 80% more patients “THE SUPPORT I'VE HAD FROM FAIR HAVENS has been outstanding and than the previous 12 months. has given me renewed confidence that I can still do things. April 2022 www.oraclepublications.co.uk 9

Fair Havens is definitely part of my care plan as my illness progresses. I’ve already discussed end of life and I'm confident that Fair Havens would meet my needs and I would feel very comfortable here.

To find out more about Havens Hospices –either to access its care and supportive services, or to get involved with fundraising, please visit www.havenshospices.org.uk or call 01702 220350

My legs and my hands might not be working but coming here has given me a huge amount of confidence in myself. I felt like I was a person with two heads when I was diagnosed and nobody would want to talk to me.

“THE FIRST TIME I HAD A CHAT WITH THE DOCTOR AT FAIR HAVENS,

they spent an hour listening to me tell my story which I'd never had before. An hour with a Doctor who’s not looking at their watch! Since then I've had counselling and physiotherapy which have helped me enormously. Without Fair Havens I’d probably still be sitting in the chair at home, because I got to a point where I didn’t think there was anything I could do, but they’ve made me see that I can.

“I BECAME INVOLVED IN THE HOSPICE’S NATURE THROUGH THERAPY GROUP

which has been a lifesaver for me. It’s given me something to look forward to, something where I can use my skills and my network of people to support us. We have a laugh together and support each other. “I'VE BROUGHT IN THE ROTARY CLUB TO BUILD PLANTERS, I've had compost and tools delivered, and we’ve now got a plan of what we’re going to plant. It’s exciting to be involved at the beginning, something that will be a legacy for other people so when I can’t do it anymore, it’ll be in good shape so other patients at Fair Havens can take it forward.

“I WASN’T FRIGHTENED AT ALL ABOUT COMING TO THE HOSPICE.

I understood that Fair Havens was as much about wellbeing as end of life. I want to make the most of what time I've got and Fair Havens is enabling me to do that. I'm very grateful for what Fair Havens has done for me, and all my family and friends can see the difference. “YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN YOU’RE GOING TO NEED THE HELP of a hospice like Fair Havens. Hopefully you won’t, but the important thing is to support its work because otherwise there’ll be lots of people in the community who will not have a positive end of life experience.” FAIR HAVENS IS PART OF HAVENS HOSPICES which also incorporates Little Havens, children’s hospice services at its building in Thundersley and within the community. The care that Havens Hospices provides to local families is entirely free of charge, but this only happens because local people support the charity – through making donations and gifts in their Wills, taking part in events or the Lottery or making purchases at our 23 charity shops. continues on page 37