Will the economic squeeze keep Brits tied?
· January is typically the busiest month for divorces
· Last year saw a 10% increase between December 09 and January 2010 in searches for a solicitor specialising in divorce
Karen Barrett, Chief Executive of unbiased.co.uk, says, “January is traditionally the busiest period for divorce proceedings with couples using the New Year as a good reason to make a clean break. But whilst this is the time for ‘starting again’ it will be interesting to see whether the current economic climate will make people more cautious about such decisions. Research from our Advice Drivers figures this time last year showed that the number of people carrying out a search for a solicitor who specialises in divorce peaked in January with the percentage of searches rising from 11% in December 2009 to 20% in January 2010.
“While the continued financial squeeze may mean people are putting off making major monetary decisions, seeking professional advice as soon as possible is always the best first step to get your financial affairs in order. Filing for a divorce can be a stressful enough process without also waiting to reach a financial settlement for a prolonged period of time. A family solicitor will help you through the divorce process and ensure you get everything you are entitled to from the final settlement.
“Our ‘find a solicitor’ search provides consumers with a free and confidential UK-wide search, matching them with a local professional adviser who specialises in divorce proceedings. The search will also allow consumers to choose whether the adviser is male or female and their level of qualifications, depending on their preferred criteria. Consumers wanting to ensure their personal finances are prepared for the coming year can also find a whole of market independent financial adviser via our ‘find an IFA’ search. Both independent financial advisers and solicitors can be found at unbiased.co.uk.”
ENDS
Karen Barrett, Chief Executive, unbiased.co.uk: 020 7833 3131
Anna Schirmer/Anna Moulds/Emily Falla, Lansons Communications: 020 7294 3682
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About unbiased.co.uk, the professional advice website
The unbiased.co.uk portal is a free and confidential UK-wide search matching consumers with local professional advisers: ‘find an IFA’, ‘find a mortgage adviser’, and ‘find a solicitor’, and is currently inviting registrations for its ‘find an accountant’ service. These searches enable consumers to find professional advisers by postcode, area of specialism, qualification and payment method. In 2009, unbiased.co.uk fulfilled half a million searches for local, professional advice.
IFA Promotion, the organisation behind unbiased.co.uk, is now in its 21st year, and was set up to promote the benefits of independent financial advice to consumers. IFAP is sponsored by the following companies:
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AEGON |
J.P. Morgan Asset Management |
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Alliance Trust |
Legal & General |
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Aviva |
Lockton |
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AXA Life |
Lutine Assurance Services |
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Bright Grey |
MetLife |
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Canada Life Ltd |
Opinium Research |
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Cardif Pinnacle |
Prudential |
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The Children’s Mutual |
Royal London 360° |
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Clerical Medical Investment |
Scottish Life |
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Ecclesiastical Investment Management Ltd |
Scottish Widows Plc |
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Franklin Templeton Investments |
Standard Life Assurance Company |
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Friends Provident |
Sun Life Financial of Canada |
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ICM Research |
Zurich Intermediary Group |
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Invesco Perpetual |
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Registered Office: unbiased.co.uk is the consumer brand of IFA Promotion Ltd, 90 St. Vincent Street, Glasgow G2 5UB. Registered in Scotland: No. 114606