Although they clearly have your best interests at heart, there are a number of reasons why you shouldn't take the advice of those closest to you when it comes to the matter of your marriage and its break-up. It's important to remember that no two divorces are the same and what may have happened in your best friend's case may not apply to your own circumstances, even if your circumstances seem identical.

Here are the three most important reasons your friends and family might not know what's best for you:

They may not know everything

If you're particularly close to your family and friends, and even if you feel like you tell them everything that's going on, they really don't know everything. The only person who can possibly understand how your divorce feels for you is you. Your soon-to-be ex-partner comes a close second, but your family or friends have a very different view.

Not only do they not know exactly how it feels for you, they don't know about practical considerations such as your shared assets and finances. Even if that's something you've spoken about with them, unless they also happen to be qualified and experienced solicitors, they won't have the skills to be able to give you correct advice.

Your friends and family are not objective

Your solicitor will be objective and the advice they give you will not be tainted by their emotional involvement in your situation. The same cannot be said of your family and friends.

A family law solicitor will give you advice that is correct, whether or not it's what you want to hear. It is not their job to make you feel better but to advise you of the options available to you and the steps that you should take.

Your friends and family may not be lawyers

It is likely, that your friends and family are not practising divorce solicitors and they simply don't understand the law surrounding divorce. They may think they know, especially if they've gone through something similar themselves. Divorce proceedings can be complicated and the steps taken depend on the specific facts of your individual case.

We're not suggesting you don't seek out emotional support from your friends and family but don't just rely on their advice.  For further information please call or email us.