Divorce and Separation

We are always here to support you through difficult times so if you feel in need of a bit of extra support while going through divorce or separation or other family problems don’t hesitate to contact us.  We offer a live chat, helpline and email service and all our details can be found on our home page.  You can talk things through with a trained support worker who is there to listen, advise and support you.  

Sometimes you might need to seek some counselling to help you work through your feelings after a divorce or separation, and there is no shame in this.  No two people will cope with the same situation in the same way.  Whilst one person might be able to move on really quickly and throw themselves into a new relationship, for anther it can...

The very early stages of going through a family breakdown can be a very painful and difficult time.  Not only are you grieving for the loss of your relationship and coming to terms with this but you are expected to continue with your day to day life, such as work, children, etc.  Many parents say the inital stages feels like an emotional haze and that feel of being on auto-pilot.  There will be a mixture of emotions experienced including shock, anger, hurt or even relief.  It is important to accept that this is a very natural part of the process of moving forwards and it will take time.  As hard as it is, it is a case of taking each day as it comes without setting yourself unrealistic goals or expectations.  It is common to feel up and down...

We are only human and we have all had times in our lives when we struggle to cope with what life throws our way.  The end of a relationship is undoubtedly going to be stressful and it is really important that we do recognise our feelings and are able to act on them if we sense that we are struggling to manage our stress levels.  

So how can we find ways to help us manage our stress levels?  Have a look at our Tips below and see if you can incorporate any of these into your day to day life: 

• Something as simple as going for a walk on your own, or with your children can be wonderfully therapeutic as getting yourself out in the fresh air can be a real tonic.
• Do something with your children such as baking a cake.
• Laughter...

The information that Child Maintenance Options has given on these pages is not a substitute for independent professional advice and readers should get professional advice relevant to their particular circumstances.

What is child maintenance?
Child maintenance is regular, reliable financial support that helps towards a child’s everyday living costs. The parent who doesn’t have main day-to-day care of the child pays child maintenance to the parent who does. In some cases, this person can be a grandparent or guardian. 

Why is child maintenance important?
Child maintenance can make a real difference to children as it can help pay for things like clothing, food and other essentials. It can also help to keep both...