How real family law compares to TV drama

‘The Split’, a popular legal drama, showcases the glamorous, high-stakes world of family law. While entertaining, it paints a picture far removed from the realities experienced by most family lawyers.

Let’s take a look at the differences between the show and the real-life work of family law solicitors at Thomas Mansfield Family Law.

A typical morning: The Split vs reality

In The Split, we see Hannah Stern enjoying a calm morning with her family before heading off to work.

In reality, most family lawyers, especially those with children, juggle getting ready for work, school drop-offs, and responding to the first flood of emails from clients who may have had difficult weekends with their ex-partners. A far cry from the serene morning routines depicted on screen!

Negotiating prenuptial agreements

On TV, prenup negotiations are portrayed as tense meetings with large entourages, often including dramatic personal entanglements.

In reality, prenuptial agreements are generally discussed calmly, with the aim of creating fair agreements for both parties.

These discussions are practical and vital, particularly when there are significant assets or previous relationships involved.

Handling paperwork

The legal drama frequently downplays the sheer volume of paperwork involved in divorce cases.

In real life, documents like the Form E are critical in providing financial disclosure, and careful scrutiny is needed to ensure accuracy. Checking for discrepancies and ensuring all finances are accounted for is a painstaking yet essential part of a family lawyer’s work.

Client care and support

Hannah Stern, like real-life divorce lawyers, provides not only legal advice but also emotional support. Divorce is a highly personal and often distressing process, and lawyers often help clients navigate their emotions and point them toward additional resources, such as counselling, if needed.

Finances in divorce

Dividing finances during divorce is always a major issue. As shown in The Split, identifying gaps in financial disclosures is crucial to ensuring a fair settlement. In reality, a Form E is where everything must be disclosed, and discrepancies can lead to complex legal discussions and investigations to ensure a just financial outcome.

While The Split portrays family law as glamorous and fast-paced, real life for most family lawyers is about diligent work, attention to detail and supporting clients through one of the most challenging times of their lives.

If you’re dealing with a family law issue, our experienced team at Thomas Mansfield Family Law is here to help guide you through the process.