About us

Our firm of family law solicitors provides a comprehensive range of services and we enjoy an outstanding reputation, both nationally and internationally. Our expert divorce and family solicitors are praised by clients, legal guides and the media for their outstanding knowledge of family law.

Our Team

The team of talented family lawyers is led by senior partner Marilyn Stowe, who has been described in The Times as “one of the most formidable and sought after divorce lawyers in the UK". In addition to divorce, solicitors at Stowe Family Law are known for their work in other areas of family law, including international family law, prenuptial agreements and cohabitation rights.

Finances and Divorce

It is imperative to assess not only the immediate impact of a split, but also to consider the financial needs of the spouses and children. No case is the same. This is an area in which Stowe Family Law has a particularly strong track record.

A financial settlement can be tailored to a couple's needs. It does not have to follow a set pattern. Payments of capital (known as lump sum payments), can be paid in instalments. An agreement can be reached about the division of a pension, redundancy pay, or property to be sold in the future. Financial settlements can be flexible.

Negotiating a financial settlement in divorce is a skilled and complex task. It requires full and frank disclosure on the part of both parties, to each other and to the court as part of the initial process. It is imperative to assess not only the immediate and short-term impact a split will have, but also to consider the longer term future needs of both spouses and children. All the income and assets of the parties will need to be taken into account, including less obvious assets such as companies, trusts, pensions, properties, income distribution from all sources, on and offshore assets, contents and valuables.

Sometimes there is a reluctance to give disclosure or the assets may be undervalued. Sometimes assets are not disclosed at all! This is where our forensic accountancy team comes in. It is unusual for a family law firm to have in-house forensic accountants: our specialist team, headed by Nick White, has been featured in the Financial Times and its services are prized by Stowe Family Law's clients. This is because when clients come to see us for the first time, we can provide immediate advice about the likely scale and nature of a case. Our forensic accountants can also provide advice about the likely value of a client's business for the purpose of a divorce.

The law in this area is fast-moving and every case is different. Stowe Family Law's talented team of solicitors is led by Senior Partner Marilyn Stowe, who is highly skilled at uncovering attempts to disguise wealth and hide assets, ensuring everything is taken into consideration in reaching a financial settlement in divorce. Her particular speciality is conducting investigations in cases where substantial assets are in dispute.

“Marilyn Stowe's reputation precedes her", the Legal 500 has said of her. “She is known for attracting high-value ancillary relief work".

At Stowe Family Law, your case will be dealt with on its individual merits. We try hard to resolve cases by negotiation and avoid a full blown courtroom hearing. Our goal is a swift, tailor-made and cost-effective solution for you (often to cover you for the rest of your life).

If there are sufficient assets to sever all ties, a “clean break" solution may be the outcome. If not, then continuing maintenance may be a possibility, whether for life or until re-marriage or such term as may be agreed or ordered by the court.

Our solicitors have extensive experience in cases that involve money or assets held in trust. If you have assets in a trust, remember that a trust is a separate entity governed by trustees (even if you are one of them) and the trust will probably need separate legal representation. If your divorce case involves a trust, we will adopt a suitable approach to prevent the case from becoming irreparably compromised.

Child maintenance is dealt with separately, but we prefer to include a proper level of maintenance in our negotiations rather than leave this area to the Child Support Agency.

Children & Residence Orders

Divorce and children can be a difficult mix. It is always preferable for parents to reach an agreement in relation to the children between themselves.

Such important decisions can be difficult to make, however, especially in the midst of an acrimonious divorce. Stowe Family Law's dedicated Children's Department advises our clients on the options available to them as parents, and helps clients to resolve any contested issues raised in relation to children.

Our Children's Department has extensive experience representing clients in all aspects of child law, has particularly advanced the concept and practice of joint residence and has been involved with cases with a number of complex foreign elements. It specialises in difficult cases.

Stowe Family Law also assists clients with contact issues that may arise months or years after a divorce has been finalised. These include cases where one parent wishes to move with the child to another part of the UK, or to another country.

In cases involving children, court action should be used as a last resort and the welfare of the children will remain the paramount consideration.

International Family Law

With the growth of cross-border divorce and the UK's reputation as the “divorce capital of the world", our International Family Law Department has become increasingly well-known for its unmatchable experience, expertise and network of overseas lawyers and contacts.

Stowe Family Law's dedicated International Family Law Department, which operates from the firm's three offices in London, Hale and Harrogate, draws clients from all over the world.

With the growth of cross-border divorce and the UK's reputation as the “divorce capital of the world", our International Family Law Department has become increasingly well-known for its unmatchable experience, expertise and network of overseas lawyers and contacts. Solicitors from our International Family Law Department have been featured by the Financial Times, Le Figaro, BBC Russia and CNBC, amongst others.

Cohabiting Couples

Stowe Family Law assists many clients with cohabitation matters. Some wish to draw up a cohabitation agreement to clarify the ownership of shared assets. Others seek practical advice and legal assistance after a relationship has broken down or a partner has died.

Every year, Stowe Family Law assists hundreds of clients with matters relating to cohabitation and the law. Some are about to move in with a new partner, and wish to draw up a cohabitation agreement to clarify the ownership of shared property and other assets. Many others seek the firm's practical advice and legal assistance after a relationship has broken down or a partner has died.

As the marriage rate in England and Wales continues to decline, the number of unmarried, but cohabiting couples continues to rise. At present, however, there is no law in place tailored to the needs of a cohabiting couple – and any children they may have together – if their relationship breaks down. In the event of a property dispute, trust and land law is applied.

Stowe Family Law solicitors, with their extensive experience of such cases, are often called upon to provide expert advice and commentary. The firm's senior partner, Marilyn Stowe, was a member of the Legal Advisory Group to the Law Commission, which called upon the Government to give new legal rights to cohabiting couples in 2007. Mrs Stowe has also appeared on BBC Radio 4 Woman's Hour and has written for The Times, setting out the arguments in favour of improved rights.

Prenuptial Agreements

Following the landmark decision in the case of Radmacher v Granatino in October 2010, which gave “decisive" weight to prenuptial agreements, Stowe Family Law has seen a marked rise in the number of clients contacting us about a prenuptial agreement in the UK.

Prenuptial agreements are perceived by some to be pessimistic and unromantic. Others argue that a prenup can circumvent time, expense and acrimony.
It is important to note that prenuptial agreements are still not legally enforceable in England and Wales – at least for now. The Law Commission is due to make its recommendations to the Government in 2012. In the meantime, however, judges are attaching more weight to prenuptial agreements and are more likely to uphold them.
When we advise a client about a relationship that has broken down, when a prenuptial agreement is in place, we ask certain questions. These include:

How soon before the wedding was the prenuptial agreement signed?
Was any pressure placed on the parties to sign it?
How was it negotiated?
Was there any negotiation at all, or was the agreement imposed on one party?
Was there full and frank disclosure of the finances of both parties?
Did both parties receive legal advice?

Family law arbitration

Family law arbitration was launched in February 2012 and offers an alternative way to resolve financial family law disputes outside of court. Divorcing couples, or other parties involved in a family law dispute, can now approach a qualified arbitrator to agree a legally binding financial agreement instead of enduring the lengthy and costly court process.

Stowe Family Law's senior partner Marilyn Stowe was one of the first to qualify under the new family law arbitration scheme. Launched in England and Wales by the Institute of Family Law Arbitrators, the scheme covers financial and property disputes arising from family relationships including divorce settlements, financial provision for children, property and inheritance issues.

Family law arbitration is a straightforward process for parties wishing to reach a financial settlement outside of court. The first step is for both to agree to undertake arbitration and nominate an arbitrator. Each party will then present a case to the arbitrator, who will adjudicate and, ultimately, make a legally binding decision – known as an award.

Rights For Grandparents

If you are a grandparent with a pressing family law matter, Stowe Family Law can advise on the legal rights available to you and the likely outcome in your particular case, and outline the possibility of obtaining a contact or residence order.

Forensic Accountancy

Unusually for a family law firm, Stowe Family Law has an in-house forensic accountancy team. Its specialist expertise is prized by our clients, and has been featured in the Financial Times. The demand for our forensic accountancy service continues to increase.

Civil Partnership

If you are in a civil partnership and the relationship breaks down, you can apply to the court for the partnership to be dissolved. You will receive the same entitlements as a spouse who gets divorced, and can apply for financial provision.

Domestic Violence

The law protects the most vulnerable people in society. If you are experiencing violence or have been threatened with violence by your partner, Stowe Family Law can advise you of the options available to you and, if applicable, your children.

Pro Bono

In the past Stowe Family Law has successfully helped a number of clients on a pro bono basis. If you believe you have a case with prospects of success and no means of funding, we may be able to assist.

Family Legal Advice Clinic

Our Family Legal Advice Clinics are open to everyone, and provide free, face-to-face advice and support. If you would be interested in booking a session, please get in touch.