UK Solicitors Specialising in Airline Pilot Divorce
If you are divorcing a pilot or you are an airline pilot facing a divorce in England or Wales, our expert family law solicitor can give you specialist representation.
The pilot lifestyle can be challenging for couples and the divorce rate for those in the aviation industry is higher than average. Dealing with the divorce process also has unique problems for pilot couples, with inconsistent work schedules and non-traditional pay structures.
Divorcing a Pilot – our unique expertise
At Bonallack & Bishop, we have a genuine expert in pilot divorce who represents pilots and the spouses of pilots. As well as being an exceptionally experienced family lawyer with more than 25 years in the sector, she is married to a commercial airline pilot. As a pilot’s wife, she has a deep understanding of the industry and aviation life.
This means there is no need to explain the complexities of issues such as monthly bidding and minimum guaranteed salaries. We know exactly how to handle a pilot divorce and the type of financial orders and arrangements for children that will work for you.
We have seen some pilots’ wives effectively worn down by having to try and explain scheduling and payments to solicitors, eventually settling for less than they should because of their lawyer’s problems in grasping the situation.
Our expert pilot divorce lawyer will be quick to understand your needs and focus on securing the outcome you need to give you security and stability for the future.
We know that if you are a stay-at-home parent married to a pilot, you may have given up your career or progressed far less than you might otherwise have done because you have been a sole parent for much of the time. You should have compensation for this in your financial settlement and we will make sure that it is taken into account when calculating your share of the matrimonial assets.
Having a solicitor with genuine experience of the airline industry can make a substantial difference to both your experience of the divorce process and the financial award you receive.
Are you a pilot or married to a pilot? Are you worried about divorce? Our Family Law team offer no strings attached FREE initial phone advice and a FREE first 1/2 hour appointment – face-to-face, by phone or Zoom video – including out of hours. Call us now on Freephone 0800 1404544
Do a lot of pilots get divorced?
Sadly, the answer is yes. The divorce rate for pilots is generally higher than average. A US study found a divorce rate of 30.5% among pilots, with a similar rate for flight attendants.
Why is the divorce rate so high for pilots?
Several factors contribute to making marriage challenging for pilots, including:
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Time spent apart
The main problem for many couples is that pilots are routinely away overnight. They may have the chance to take on many hours and if they choose to do so, they could be at home very little.
This is particularly hard for a couple with young children, where the spouse will have to take on all the parenting alone for a large portion of the time.
It also means that important dates will be missed, such as birthdays, milestones and school events for children and holidays.
If a relationship becomes strained, being apart can make reconciling harder.
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Unpredictable shifts
Unpredictable shifts can add to the stress. Not being able to plan further ahead than a month or so can mean disappointments and difficulty in arranging time together.
It is also the case that even when a pilot is at home, they may need to sleep to be properly rested and ready for their next shift. This can be particularly frustrating for a spouse who might hope that they will take over with the children for a while or that you can go out together.
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Opportunities for affairs
With many nights spent away from home with other individuals in a similar situation, there is wide scope for infidelity and affairs. The fact that opportunities exist can also make it hard for the spouse at home to trust the pilot.
Aviation induced divorce syndrome – is it real?
“Aviation Induced Divorce Syndrome”(AIDS) may just be a slang term for those in the Aviation Industry, but the high level of divorce among pilots and other aviation professionals is sadly very real.
Whilst the divorce process remains the same, dealing with the financial aspects and issues surrounding children (if applicable) has unique problems for pilot couples, not least with inconsistent work schedules and non-traditional pay structures. Even for those separating unmarried couples, issues can arise with property disputes and child arrangement plans.
These are just a few reasons, why you need a family lawyer who really understands the Aviation Industry and in particular, UK Airline Pilots.
This is where we can help! Here at UK solicitors Bonallack & Bishop, we have an expert in pilot divorces. Michelle Newton, is one of our family solicitors who as well as having over 25 years’ experience in family law, is well versed in the Aviation Industry.
Married to a commercial airline pilot herself, she understands the nuances of aviation life and the unique challenges this brings. This knowledge and understanding makes her well placed to be your chosen solicitor when divorcing or separating from a pilot – or indeed you are a pilot yourself.
Michelle offers a free 30 minutes consultation on any aspect of divorce or family law, so don’t suffer in silence. Put your mind at rest – get in touch with us today.
Why is divorcing a pilot so difficult?
Going through a divorce involves splitting assets and making arrangements for children. This can be difficult when one spouse is a pilot with inconsistent income and unpredictable schedules.
If you use a solicitor who does not have a strong understanding of the issues facing pilots and their spouses, you could spend a lot of expensive time trying to explain the complexities. They are unlikely to have any experience of resolving these difficult types of problems.
Michelle, our expert pilot divorce solicitor regularly represents pilots or pilots’ spouses in divorce cases. She can advise and represent you in dealing with all relevant issues, including:
· How to put arrangements for children in place that will work for a pilot family
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· How to negotiate the splitting of assets and maintenance payments when the pilot does not have the same income each month
· How much child maintenance a pilot should pay
· Taking into account sacrifices made by a stay-at-home spouse who may have put their career on hold, reducing their earning potential
· How pay structure and per diem payments work
· How the bidding process works and what a pilot family can expect from the system
· The calculation of pilot salaries, looking at components such as minimum guarantee salaries, hourly rate payments and deadhead allowance
Divorcing a Pilot – the importance of getting expert legal representation
Having a genuine aviation divorce solicitor in your corner can make a huge difference to the divorce process. If you ask Michelle, our expert, to represent you, you can expect the best possible settlement. You will not have to explain the basics of the pilot life and benefits and consequently, the charges for time spent on your case will be less.
Our pilot divorce lawyer is exceptionally experienced and always works proactively, focusing on resolving key issues promptly so that you can secure the outcome you need and move on with your life.
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