We understand that dealing with separation and divorce can be highly sensitive and emotionally charged at the best of times. The COVID-19 pandemic may have heightened your concerns, with additional complications for your personal circumstances, or you may have further questions about the best way to start the divorce and separation process. The team at Caminha Advogados is on hand to guide you through the best options available in the current circumstances and can do so in a way that is comfortable for you.
Rest assured that a wide range of forward-thinking approaches to resolving your divorce or separation remain available. There are also a range of options for meeting with our professionals, videoconferencing or face-to-face meeting with compliance with all sanitary safety measures due to the pandemic, which allows us to provide the face-to-face support you may need. Technology gives us the flexibility to connect with you in the way that best suits you, with a hybrid of virtual and physical communications.
How Caminha Advogados can help
We have been able to provide a unique service to existing and new clients, while working remotely and in the office, offering clients a 'business as usual' approach. This means there's no need to delay and wait for things to "get back to normal"; if the time is right for you, we can act now to help resolve issues.
Finding us
We can offer initial consultations (and comply with formalities) remotely or attend in our office safely (and comply with social distancing requirements).
We are offering clients the option of meetings by Zoom, Skype, Google Meeting, by phone or in person; this gives clients flexibility and control over their case and how we approach it.
Alternatives to court
For those considering alternatives to court, we have mediators in our team who have conducted three-way mediations with clients during the pandemic. This has been useful for dealing with immediate issues, such as arrangements for children, or looking at short-term changes in financial arrangements where, for example, the maintenance payer has suffered a sudden and significant drop in income.
We can also hold round tables via video or in a hybrid way, with clients in the office and other parties via video.
Virtual Audiences
The COVID-19 pandemic, which has caused major disruption in the family courts, has also forced judges, court staff and lawyers to innovate and adapt. Remote hearings have become commonplace, paper documents have been replaced by electronic ones and proceedings have been moved online.
The Family Courts remain open for court proceedings and members of our team have been conducting hearings by video or telephone throughout the pandemic period. We can also arrange for clients to be present in our offices for remote hearings, to help them prepare and debrief after a hearing; we find this extremely reassuring and beneficial for clients.
Some hearings now take place in person (with social distancing measures), which may work better for more complex cases and for clients who prefer a face-to-face experience.
Conclusion
The restrictions and current social distancing measures due to the pandemic have forced family lawyers to reconsider their traditional ways of working and find alternatives to the overburdened family courts. A positive aspect for clients is the likely growth of fast and cost-effective alternative means of resolving family disputes.
