From 29th April 2024 there will be changes to the Family Procedure Rules (FPR). The current rules have been in place since 2010 and are being updated to place greater expectation on courts, family practitioners and families going through breakdown to use non-court-based methods to resolve financial and children matters. What are the FPR? The Family Procedure rules govern the process and procedures used in the family court system in England and Wales. They are governed by a committee, the Family Procedure Rule Committee. The Rules provide practice directions – essentially how the family courts ..read more

Sharenting after divorce Harmless sharing or a breach of privacy? In this current era of social media, most of us have seen online content featuring other people’s children. Celebrities, influencers, family, friends, and even distant acquaintances, document details of their home lives and the children they’re raising via photos, videos and updates, often referred to as ‘sharenting’. We’ve been documenting life long before social media. However, the widespread cultural norm of sharing our lives online means that what would previously have been treasured photo albums, family footage and diaries ..read more

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

Financial abuse, a recognised form of domestic abuse, is a way of exerting power over individuals by controlling their spending, access to cash, assets, and overall finances.  Part of the economic abuse umbrella, this subtle yet impactful manipulation can leave victims feeling isolated, lacking in confidence, and entrapped in a cycle of financial dependency.  In this article we’ll cover:  What the signs of financial abuse are  Is financial abuse a crime?  How is financial abuse different to economic abuse?  What is financial abuse?  Financial abuse is a rec ..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