At Stowe, we understand how important it is to get the right support from the right professional during divorce.  That’s why we’re launching Divorce Coaching at Stowe, in partnership with the Divorce Coaching Academy and their partner coaches.  This first phase sees us deliver a new searchable directory of highly qualified divorce coaches to connect you with coaches who specialise in offering emotional and practical support to people during divorce and separation. What is a divorce coach?  A divorce coach is a trained professional who specialises in working with individuals faci ..read more

How to support teenagers through divorce It’s common to worry about how divorce or separation will affect your children, particularly teenagers. Adolescents are already experiencing a natural stage of transformation, so how does divorce affect teenage children? Reassuringly, when parents show unwavering love for their child and continue to work together to prioritise the wellbeing of their family, teenagers can adapt to their new family dynamic over time, and thrive. In this article, we share advice to help you support your teenage children through your divorce or separation. Navigating divorc ..read more

The Family Court fees are expected to rise soon, as a result of the Government’s proposal that court fees should increase by up to 10% in 2024. It is anticipated that these changes will happen in April 2024. The Ministry of Justice has stated that ‘implementing increases to court and tribunal fees is vital to our ongoing work to protect access to the courts for all those who seek justice.’ The aim is to ensure that the courts can be properly resourced, as the increases will generate between £34 million and £42 million a year. Court fees have not increased since 2021, and the incoming change is ..read more

Divorce is a big decision. Bringing an end to any relationship can have huge emotional repercussions, but when you are married, whether for a relatively short time or decades, the emotional fallout can be very painful. There are lots of considerations, such as how to tell your partner you want a divorce, what you’ll do with any kids, and, for a lot of people, what does the future look like financially? Will it be easier if I stay in my unhappy marriage? Money can be the reason people break up, but for many it can also be the reason for staying together. You might be weighing up your options an ..read more

Pensions are often ignored on divorce for a variety of reasons, including how complicated they can seem, and that people, particularly women, do not realise that pensions can and should be part of financial discussions in divorce.  This is particularly true when people do not have legal representation. However, ignoring pensions in the divorce process can mean you miss out on potential long term income and future financial security. When getting divorced, a couple should get a financial settlement. This settlement covers all the assets of both parties, including the important area of ..read more

Background and Purpose In March 2022, a pioneering pilot scheme, known as the Pathfinder pilot, was launched in some family courts in Dorset and North Wales to help improve information sharing between services such as the police and local authorities and the courts. It followed on from a review into the family justice system which concluded that the adversarial processes often worsened conflict between parents, retraumatising abuse victims and children. A crucial element of the Pathfinder pilot scheme is to enable local domestic abuse authorities to share important information with the courts ..read more

“My partner has cheated on me” Finding out about your partner’s affair is not always as dramatic as you see in Hollywood movies. It’s not always screaming, throwing things at your partner, slamming doors, and never seeing them again. If your partner has cheated on you, it’s likely you feel a range of emotions, from anger, frustration, and a deep sadness to disappointment and even self-blame. The first thing to remember if you have found out that your partner is cheating on you is to not blame yourself. Reasons for adultery can be varied, and whilst some partners may like to blame their affair ..read more

The breakup of a family can be a time of heightened emotions and in some cases, it may be necessary for the family court to enforce legal structures to prevent problems in relation to child arrangements. One example of this is a Prohibited Steps Order (PSO), which is sometimes used in acrimonious cases where the welfare of the separated couple’s child may be at risk. Stowe Family Law Paralegal, Becka Headley explores what they are, how they work, and how best to navigate them. What is a Prohibited Steps Order? A Prohibited Steps Order is a legally binding order that prohibits someone from exer ..read more

Sometimes, when people admit that their marriage is unsustainable, for whatever reason, the reaction of family, friends, even strangers on the internet can be judgmental or pitying. However, what someone in this situation needs are words and actions of support and comfort, as well as professional and legal guidance. We are joined on the blog by Divorce Coach Rebecca Spittles, who explores her own experience of the initial stages of separation, and what to say to a friend whose marriage is ending. ‘“It’s a shame you couldn’t have just tried a bit harder…” Nothing hits harder when you have ..read more

If you’re thinking about divorce or separation, there will likely be a whole range of questions flying around in your head. For many people, money worries are often at the forefront of their minds. We hear a lot about celebrities and A-list couples going through divorce and fighting over their wealth, large assets, and multiple houses. But what happens if you owe money and are in debt? For example, what if you haven’t paid off your credit card and you’re accruing interest? Or maybe a family member lent you a large sum that you haven’t managed to pay back yet? Being in debt is a bit of a social ..read more