As unemployment rises in this poor economic climate so does couples who need state assistance to divorce or separate. In a report out yesterday by the legal aid board, who provide legal aid in civil cases for people on low income said they predict more separating couples will be able to qualify for legal aid due to the rise in unemployment.

The demand is so huge that the LAB are having to train staff in mediation and alternative dispute resolutions, so they will be able to deal with the load, the LAB have an annual budget of €32m.

It’s also reported that the Free Legal Advice Centre, have had an increase in people seeking information about their employment contracts, which is a sign that many are concerned about losing their jobs.
You would need to be earning less than €18,000 a year to qualify for civil legal aid, sometimes allowances are made for people on larger salaries.

The report also showed that 85 percent of the cases last year related to family law issues. 2,200 of which were emergency family law cases, dealing with issues such as child abduction and domestic violence, these cases were fast tracked. The Legal aid board dealt with 18,000 cases in 2007.

Government funding for legal aid had increased by 11 per cent two years running.

To read more about the legal side of divorce click here.
Source: Independent Ireland