Family Law

Britain Holds First Divorce Fair

By Erin Kelley

England has joined a trend that is spreading across Europe: The first British divorce fair was recently held in East Sussex.

At the divorce fairs, which are also called the “Starting Over Show,? divorce lawyers, money and life coaches, psychics, feng shui experts and sometimes even DNA testing labs and private detectives set up booths for the events. The divorce fair organizers regularly hold the events in different locations in Europe, where they draw both people considering divorce and those who are coping with the aftermath of divorce.

There were divorce lawyers at Britain?s first divorce fair, but the DNA paternity booth was not set up for this particular event. Free financial surgery was offered and pastors led letting go ceremonies to help bring closure to the newly single attendees.

Suzy Miller, a divorced mother of three, started the divorce fairs. After the first divorce fair in Vienna, Austria in October 2007 drew about 500 people, Miller realized she was on to something and has since held the events across Europe. She says that after her divorce, she wished there had been more support available and her own pain sparked the idea of the divorce fairs.

With more than 140,000 couples divorcing in the UK each year, the divorce fairs fill a need for many and now draw larger crowds. Of the divorce fairs, Miller tells The Telegraph, “It is about bringing together experts who will help people get through a breakup in the best way possible. In some cases a breakup can be the catalyst for good.”

Full post as published by The Divorce Blog on March 17, 2009 (boomark / email).