Revolutionising divorce: A new approach for South Africans

IOL News

3 days ago

A multidisciplinary team can now navigate divorcing couples through a gentler way of separating.
Image: Supplied
A Cape Town-based team of legal, financial, and emotional specialists has launched an integrated practice to change how South Africans approach divorce and to introduce a gentler approach to the separation.
Divorce Solutions offers South Africans a guided, affordable, and emotionally intelligent way to part ways without exhaustive courtroom battles, spiralling costs, or endless stress.
The last decade saw a consistent rise in South Africa's divorce rate, with approximately 22,230 separations documented in the latest Marriages and Divorces report released by Statistics South Africa for 2023. This constitutes a 10.1% increase from the year before. More than half of marriages now end in divorce, and we are rapidly approaching the 60% mark.
South African law provides a clear legal framework for divorce, yet the process itself often becomes adversarial, costly, and emotionally exhausting, even when couples want to part amicably.
Divorce Solutions puts a guided process in motion to minimise cost, time, and trauma. Founded by attorney Cynthia Blow and co-directed by tax and finance experts Wendy Volkel and Adam Blow, the practice brings together almost 100 years of collective experience across law, psychology, finance, tax, mediation, and property.
This multidisciplinary model addresses the real needs of divorcing couples, who are often looking for more than just legal advice. They're looking for structure, support, and a clear path forward. 'We're not anti-lawyers,' says Cynthia Blow, who holds Honours degrees in both law and psychology. 'But we are against unnecessary legal battles that drain people emotionally and financially when there is often a better way to resolve things.'
Blow has guided many people through divorce and saw first-hand how often clients needed emotional and financial support, which traditional legal services are not able to provide. 'Most divorces end with a judge applying established legal principles to the couple's marital regime. In many cases, couples could have arrived at the same outcome without years of fighting, had they received the right support early on in the process.'
The team further provides a neutral space for couples to work through settlement terms, guided by professionals who understand the law and the emotional complexity of divorce. Director Wendy Volkel, a chartered accountant and tax specialist, helps couples build sustainable, equitable financial agreements. 'We look at the full picture, including assets, tax implications, and children's needs, helping clients make practical decisions with clarity.'
Director Adam Blow, an economist and former property executive, adds long-term strategic insight. 'We help clients think about life after divorce, how to divide assets and rebuild with purpose.' South Africa's divorce process allows for contested and uncontested proceedings.
While an uncontested divorce can take just a few months, contested cases often drag on for years, increasing financial strain and emotional harm on all parties. For Blow and her team, the goal is to help couples reach consensus before conflict escalates.