Divorce has had a makeover
The Office for National Statistics reports that the number of divorces of opposite-sex couples decreased by 9.1% in 2015. However, despite these figures, the desire to celebrate the ending of the marriage seems to become increasingly popular as is the manner in which you manage your divorce.
Hotels are no longer just for couples in love – you can now get divorced at one, too.
What is a ‘Divorce hotel’?
The UK’s first Divorce Hotel has launched in York in the UK. It allows couples to check in and stay in separate rooms while they settle their affairs and seal the divorce. The thinking is that a hotel is a neutral environment, compared to a shared family home. Apparently, this will make it easier for a civil agreement to be reached. One may say it’s an extended version of the mediation process but concentrated over a weekend period.
What are the rules?
There is a catch, though: the Divorce Hotel will only allow those on the road to “conscious uncoupling” to stay. This essentially requires the couple to be on civil speaking terms. There’s no throwing plates and screaming across rooms allowed here. This makes sense given the close proximity of the couples and agenda being brought to the table. Like any mediation, there needs to be an assessment process. This will ensure that the couple looking to stay are appropriate and safe. After all, who would be looking to incur the costs of accommodation and the professionals involved if they weren’t committed to working together? A weekend at the Divorce Hotel will set a couple back between £6000 and £10,000.
It’s more of a concept
The Divorce Hotel is more a concept than an actual location, running across various different venues. The first of these hotels are in York, but the plan is to extend across the UK. However, it will be interesting to see if it really takes off. The concept has been brought across the Atlantic by an American Mediator who has seen the launch over there as being very successful. Most of my clients, however, struggle to find the initial Divorce petition fee of £550 at this stage of the separation process. Let alone anything else!
Not for you?
It may be that those couples who wish to remain civil throughout the separation process look for an alternative, less extravagant option. Mediation is a great way of achieving this and keeps those costs down, leaving more resources for that Divorce party!
For more information about our Mediation service check out our website here.