90% of divorces amicable and pragmatic

THE picture painted of divorce in Ireland by the first-ever study of family law cases suggests it is far from the Kramer V Kramer style, tug-of-love variety much loved in popular fiction and TV soaps.

Although the end of a once-loving relationship is rarely a cause for celebration, the landmark research by its author, Dr Carol Coulter on behalf of the Courts Service, shows that the vast majority of former partners are quite pragmatic in their approach on to how to go their separate ways.

It showed that a remarkable 90% of couples who seek divorce or judicial separation agreed terms on the usual thorny subjects of custody of children and the splitting of assets such as the family home without the need for a judge to make a ruling on the merits of their respective cases.