You may have made the decision, or had it made for you, but however you arrived at the moment, facing a divorce can be daunting

So what should you do first? In this episode, family lawyers and hosts Matt & Liza share their tips on the most important things to do and consider before getting a divorce.

00:00 Introductions
01:00 The different scenarios
01:10 The first thing to do is take your time
03:00 Getting in the right headspace
03:29 Building your support team
05:10 Use of divorce coaches and counsellors
05:45 The role of online resources, including Stowe support
08:10 Understand you are at different stages
09:50 The next three things you need to do
11:40 Managing finances
15:10 How to support your children
17:10 Preparing for your first lawyer meeting
22:05 How to tell your partner your marriage is over
28:20 The most important thing to do from Matt & Liza

Additional resources

Where do I start? A beginner’s guide to divorce: https://youtu.be/EhFpi8K9VZQ
Taking control of your finances on separation: https://youtu.be/CIp6n4pgd9k
How to prepare for a financial settlement: https://youtu.be/ixzT30CyMo0
The dangers of a DIY divorce: https://bit.ly/3Tsvql7
How to get a financial consent order: https://youtu.be/-FlSjw4tTXM
How to get divorced online: https://youtu.be/-LWs1MrGnT4

If you need support with the issues raised in this podcast, or would like to speak to a family lawyer, contact Stowe at: https://bit.ly/35WPSj2

Join our list to get the latest from our lawyers, divorce coaches and relationship experts sent monthly to your inbox. Everything you need, in one

🔎 Access further free resources to help you through a relationship breakdown and beyond at Stowe support.

🎬 Watch on YouTube - https://bit.ly/3Mwa4wG

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/stowefamilylawuk

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/stowefamilylaw

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/stowe-family-law/

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/StoweFamilyLaw1

This podcast is brought to you by the Stowe talks team at Stowe Family Law - https://www.stowefamilylaw.co.uk/

It is normal to face challenges in a relationship, but what happens when one, or both people, completely disconnects and thoughts turn to leaving? How do you know the right time to end a relationship?

In this episode, divorce coach Dr. Sue Palmer-Conn joined us to discuss the challenging question of whether to stay or go, including common stress points and challenges couples face, how discernment counselling can help them make a decision, and why divorce or separation can change your life for the better.

Chapters

00:00 Introductions
03:07 What is discernment counselling? And how can it help a relationship?
03:43 The impact of losing connection
05:00 The limitations of marriage guidance
05:19 How does discernment counselling work?
09:09 What are common trigger points in relationships?
09:21 The different ways to disconnect
10:25 Making the decision to stay or go
11:34 What are the three main outcomes of discernment counselling?
12:30 Does it help make divorce more dignified?
14:08 How long does the process take?
19:30 How do you keep communication in a relationship going?
22:15 How do you break a rut in a relationship?
25:00 The pressure of time on a relationship
27:00 The impact of children
29:10 Retirement and empty nesters
30:00 Is the concept of marriage now outdated?
32:55 Sometimes leaving the relationship is the best decision
34:10 Separation can be positive
34:28 Sue’s top tips for people thinking about ending the relationship

Catch-up on Sue’s first podcast, dealing with a relationship breakdown during menopause https://bit.ly/3RQ5e2G

• The dangers of a DIY divorce - https://bit.ly/3Tsvql7
• Finding the unexpected joy of heartbreak with Rosie Wilby https://youtu.be/nmXO_2Rgv70
• Where do I start? A beginner’s guide to divorce: https://youtu.be/EhFpi8K9VZQ
• Handling fear and uncertainty: https://youtu.be/hQqziVrHnRg

If you need support with the issues raised in this podcast, or would like to speak to a family lawyer, contact Stowe at: https://bit.ly/35WPSj2

Join our list to get the latest from our lawyers, divorce coaches and relationship experts sent monthly to your inbox. Everything you need, in one

🔎 Access further free resources to help you through a relationship breakdown and beyond at Stowe support.

🎬 Watch on YouTube - https://bit.ly/3Mwa4wG

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/stowefamilylawuk

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/stowefamilylaw

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/stowe-family-law/

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/StoweFamilyLaw1

This podcast is brought to you by the Stowe talks team at Stowe Family Law - https://www.stowefamilylaw.co.uk/

Introducing a new partner to your kids can be complicated, and requires careful thought and planning to get it right.

So we asked parenting and relationship coach Nichole Farrow to join us to share her advice on how to introduce a new partner, including:

• Fostering good communication with the other parent
• The importance of a gradual introduction - baby steps all the way
• Ensuring thoughtful planning
• Setting and sticking to boundaries
• The challenges and joy of a blended family
• And the need for patience, allowing time for adjustment in the new family dynamics.

00:00 Introductions
02:00The generation of divorce
03:35 What to think about before introducing a new partner
04:50 Letting your co-parent know first
08:10 How to tell your co-parent, you have a new partner
12:50 How to introduce a new partner to your children
14:20 If you take anything away, it’s take baby steps
14:38 Tips on how to help children if it is not managed correctly
18:45 Do different aged children need a different approach?
21:10 How to best introduce the children to each other
23:00 Adapting to new roles and family dynamics
23:42 How to introduce yourself to your partner’s children
26:20 The role of stepparents
28:06 The importance of setting clear boundaries for all
29:05 The use of parenting plans
29:26 How to handle and nurture blended families
31:07 What can you do if your blended family is not working well?
34:14 Nichole’s top tips for introducing a new partner

Additional resources

Supporting children through divorce: https://youtu.be/tMbi1vqkg4E
How to co-parent calmly and the challenges of blended families - https://youtu.be/7OGpehg2cws
Parenting alongside a narcissist https://youtu.be/b10mkX4Y3og
How to get a child arrangements order? https://youtu.be/YRnaUVqn95c
How to vary a child arrangements order? https://youtu.be/ackFKq5ITJU
Do I need my ex’s permission to take the kids on holiday https://youtu.be/Qi-Wg4mqjno

If you need support with the issues raised in this podcast, or would like to speak to a family lawyer, contact Stowe at: https://bit.ly/35WPSj2

Join our list to get the latest from our lawyers, divorce coaches and relationship experts sent monthly to your inbox. Everything you need, in one

🔎 Access further free resources to help you through a relationship breakdown and beyond at Stowe support.

🎬 Watch on YouTube - https://bit.ly/3Mwa4wG

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/stowefamilylawuk

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/stowefamilylaw

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/stowe-family-law/

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/StoweFamilyLaw1

This podcast is brought to you by the Stowe talks team at Stowe Family Law - https://www.stowefamilylaw.co.uk/

School holidays can be difficult to juggle for any parents, but for those separated and co-parenting, it can bring a whole host of additional issues.

In this episode, hosts Matt & Liza were joined by The Divorce & Separation Coach, Chloe O. to look at the best way to plan the holidays as a separated parent.

Take a listen as they explore the challenges of planning holidays, the importance of communication, flexibility, and child-focused decision-making. How to address objections, your legal options and the use of mediation to resolve any issues, along with practical advice for navigating the complexities of summer holidays when at home.

02:16 Why are holidays sometimes a contentious issue?
03:05 When should you discuss holidays, and what is the best way to do this?
04:14 What are the common objections about holidays?
06:20 The importance of flexibility and planning
07:30 How to minimise the impact on your children
08:25 How to manage the emotional impact of being apart from your children
14:29 What you definitely shouldn’t do when holiday planning with your ex
16:45 What should you do when holiday planning?
17:20 What are the potential legal issues?
17:54 What are your legal options if you cannot agree on holidays?
19:50 Resolving differences through mediation.
21:45 The role of a parenting plan or Child Arrangements Order (CAO)
22:08 How to handle a new partner going on holiday with your kids
23:11 Planning holidays when you are not going away
28:20 Chloe's top tips for summer holiday planning for separated parents

Additional resources

Supporting children through divorce: https://youtu.be/tMbi1vqkg4E
How to co-parent calmly and the challenges of blended families - https://youtu.be/7OGpehg2cws
How to get a child arrangements order? https://youtu.be/YRnaUVqn95c
Do I need my ex’s permission to take the kids on holiday https://youtu.be/Qi-Wg4mqjno

We need your help.

We love making the Stowe talks podcast. And we want to enter it for the Listener’s Choice awards at the British Podcast Awards. So please vote for us: https://www.britishpodcastawards.com/voting Simply search for Stowe talks and cast your vote by 29 August 2024. Thank you.

If you need support with the issues raised in this podcast, or would like to speak to a family lawyer, contact Stowe at: https://bit.ly/35WPSj2

Join our list to get the latest from our lawyers, divorce coaches and relationship experts sent monthly to your inbox. Everything you need, in one

🔎 Access further free resources to help you through a relationship breakdown and beyond at Stowe support.

🎬 Watch on YouTube - https://bit.ly/3Mwa4wG

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/stowefamilylawuk

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/stowefamilylaw

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/stowe-family-law/

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/StoweFamilyLaw1

This podcast is brought to you by the Stowe talks team at Stowe Family Law - https://www.stowefamilylaw.co.uk/

The family home can often be the most emotive element of a divorce. Steeped in memories, many ex-couples face the difficult decision about what to do with the house, in the short and long term.

In this episode, hosts Matt & Liza deep dive into all things property and divorce including:

00:35 Why is the family home so important?
01:56 The legal ownership of a property - joint tenants v tenants in common
04:00 What happens if the house is in one person’s name?
06:00 The importance of Wills
07:25 Living together or moving out during the separation? Options and considerations of both.
08:08 If one person moves out, can you change the locks?
11:47 Who is responsible for the mortgage?
13:20 What happens to the household bills?
14:00 Options on what to do with the mortgage
14:47 The importance of budgeting and maximising income
16:08 How to decide what to do with the family home
16:49 Family home v the pension
16:55 The dangers of ignoring pensions
17:58 The potential impact on children, and how to handle it
19:33 What are the legal options for the family home in divorce proceedings?
23:56 The difficulty in determining the value of the property
27:22 When is the best time to sell the house?
33:30 What if the other person refuses to sell the house?
38:30 Tops tips on dealing with the family home during divorce

If you need support with the issues raised in this podcast, or would like to speak to a family lawyer, you can contact Stowe at: https://bit.ly/35WPSj2

Additional information

Budgeting during a cost of living crisis https://youtu.be/LE-NCCOiiB4
The dangers of a DIY divorce - https://bit.ly/3Tsvql7
Taking control of your finances on separation: https://youtu.be/CIp6n4pgd9k
How to prepare for a financial settlement: https://youtu.be/ixzT30CyMo0
How to get a financial consent order: https://youtu.be/-FlSjw4tTXM
Creating financial well-being https://youtu.be/SHADBMdHf4Y?si=xodKZkigxaAZvsgd

If you need support with the issues raised in this podcast, or would like to speak to a family lawyer, contact Stowe at: https://bit.ly/35WPSj2

Join our list to get the latest from our lawyers, divorce coaches and relationship experts sent monthly to your inbox. Everything you need, in one

🔎 Access further free resources to help you through a relationship breakdown and beyond at Stowe support.

🎬 Watch on YouTube - https://bit.ly/3Mwa4wG

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/stowefamilylawuk

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/stowefamilylaw

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/stowe-family-law/

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/StoweFamilyLaw1

This podcast is brought to you by the Stowe talks team at Stowe Family Law - https://www.stowefamilylaw.co.uk/

No longer the preserve of the ultra- wealthy, prenups, postnups and petnups are on the rise. But what are they, what can they cover, and do they stand up in court?

Take a listen as Matt & Liza dive into nuptial agreements, the advantages, the challenges, and the laws surrounding them. Along with when and how they are useful, especially for people marrying later in life, wanting to protect family assets or preserve inheritance for their kids, and when they are not.

Conversation then moves to the rise of the petnup, how pets are viewed in divorce, the need to recognise the importance of people’s fur-babies, and whether this will change over time.

Before closing, with a discussion around the pitfalls of making these agreements legally binding, and surprise guest appearances from Matt’s dog Crumble and Liza’s dog, Duke.

00:00 What is a prenup? What is a postnup?
01:22 Why would you get a prenup or postnup?
01:38 What are the advantages of prenups and postnups?
04:16 What are the disadvantages of prenups and postnups?
05:52 What is the law surrounding prenups and postnups?
11:44 What are the benefits of prenups?
15:00 Who should consider a prenup or postnup?
16:05 The role of property, unequal assets, inheritance, marrying later in life, and second and third marriages
17:39 What are the challenges of a prenup and postnup?
20:00 The importance of review dates within a prenup and postnup
23:47 The importance of understanding the power of these agreements
23:51 Celebrity prenups and postnups are sometimes not helpful
24:31 Prenups can be for everyone - it's about setting expectations.
24:49 Protecting family wealth, trusts and inheritance
25:58 What is a petnup?
26:25 Pets in divorce proceedings
27:44 Are petnups legally binding?
29:08 A final hearing about a dog
29:54 Should prenups and postnups become legally binding?
30:34 The importance of safeguards and disclosure to protect vulnerable people

If you need support with the issues raised in this podcast, or would like to speak to a family lawyer, contact Stowe at: https://bit.ly/35WPSj2

Additional information
What is a prenup? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=twKKM-kL5Uc
A guide to prenups https://www.stowefamilylaw.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Client-Guide-What-is-a-Pr

If you need support with the issues raised in this podcast, or would like to speak to a family lawyer, contact Stowe at: https://bit.ly/35WPSj2

Join our list to get the latest from our lawyers, divorce coaches and relationship experts sent monthly to your inbox. Everything you need, in one

🔎 Access further free resources to help you through a relationship breakdown and beyond at Stowe support.

🎬 Watch on YouTube - https://bit.ly/3Mwa4wG

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/stowefamilylawuk

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/stowefamilylaw

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/stowe-family-law/

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/StoweFamilyLaw1

This podcast is brought to you by the Stowe talks team at Stowe Family Law - https://www.stowefamilylaw.co.uk/

A staggering 95% of survivors of domestic abuse experience economic abuse, leaving them isolated, trapped, dependent and confused.

So, we asked Tamsin Caine, a Chartered Financial Planner from Smart Divorce, to join us to look at how to recognise the signs of economic abuse and what you can do about it.

A financial specialist in advising people going through a divorce or separation. Tamsin covers:

• What is economic abuse?
• What are the red flags of economic abuse
• What is the effect of the abuse on survivors?
• Reducing the stigma around economic abuse
• The support available for survivors
• The role of financial education and empowerment
• The importance of building a support team
• How to access support with limited financial resources
• How to take back control of finances

And, a powerful message for survivors on how to rebuild your life following the abuse to create a financially stable and safe life.

Support with economic abuse

Economic abuse rarely happens in isolation. It often occurs alongside other forms of domestic abuse. If you are in immediate danger, call the police on 999.

You can access help and support from the 24-hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247 or the Mankind Initiative support helpline: 01823 334 244

For support with economic abuse, please contact the charity Surviving Economic Abuse, at https://survivingeconomicabuse.org/ and Respect: Mens Advice Line: https://mensadviceline.org.uk/legal-information/economic-abuse-steps-to-economic-safety/

If you need support with the issues raised in this podcast, or would like to speak to a family lawyer, contact Stowe at: https://bit.ly/35WPSj2

Additional information

• Surviving economic abuse - https://bit.ly/3v7uAA4
• Divorcing or separating from a narcissist - https://bit.ly/3ROxpyQ
• Domestic abuse - how can a family lawyer help? https://youtu.be/bto4CXasGz0
• Dealing with post-separation abuse - https://bit.ly/3veGwzR
• Taking control of your finances on separation - https://youtu.be/CIp6n4pgd9k

If you need support with the issues raised in this podcast, or would like to speak to a family lawyer, contact Stowe at: https://bit.ly/35WPSj2

Join our list to get the latest from our lawyers, divorce coaches and relationship experts sent monthly to your inbox. Everything you need, in one

🔎 Access further free resources to help you through a relationship breakdown and beyond at Stowe support.

🎬 Watch on YouTube - https://bit.ly/3Mwa4wG

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/stowefamilylawuk

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/stowefamilylaw

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/stowe-family-law/

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/StoweFamilyLaw1

This podcast is brought to you by the Stowe talks team at Stowe Family Law - https://www.stowefamilylaw.co.uk/

Surrogacy is a wonderful way for people to build their family outside traditional norms, but it comes with legal complexities that often surprise people.

In this episode, Matt & Liza were delighted to welcome Andrew Powell, one of the country’s leading children's law barristers from 4PB, who specialises in surrogacy law, to explore how surrogacy works in the UK and internationally.

An expert on surrogacy and the modern family, Andrew covers:

• What is surrogacy?
• What are the surrogacy laws in the UK?
• What is a parental order? And the role of parental responsibility?
• What causes the most issues with surrogacy?
• What to consider when looking at international surrogacy?
• What is the best way to prepare for surrogacy including the importance of research, planning and due diligence?

And closes with the joy of building your family through surrogacy and the wonderful gift it can bring, and key takeaways for anyone considering surrogacy.

You can access the full details of how to obtain parental responsibility in England & Wales following surrogacy here.

If you need support with the issues raised in this podcast, or would like to speak to a family lawyer, contact Stowe at: https://bit.ly/35WPSj2

Additional resources

• Creating your family through donor conception with The Donor Conception Network https://youtu.be/30A3rHm-Z4g
• Surrogacy in the UK with TwoDadsUK® https://youtu.be/8AJmaurSDzY
• What are the surrogacy laws in the UK - https://youtu.be/quENvsYUAU4
• Further resources and guides on alternative parenting https://bit.ly/3uPkX9v

🔎 Access further free resources to help you through a relationship breakdown and beyond at Stowe support.

🎬 Watch on YouTube - https://bit.ly/3Mwa4wG

If you need support with the issues raised in this podcast, or would like to speak to a family lawyer, contact Stowe at: https://bit.ly/35WPSj2

Join our list to get the latest from our lawyers, divorce coaches and relationship experts sent monthly to your inbox. Everything you need, in one

🔎 Access further free resources to help you through a relationship breakdown and beyond at Stowe support.

🎬 Watch on YouTube - https://bit.ly/3Mwa4wG

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/stowefamilylawuk

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/stowefamilylaw

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/stowe-family-law/

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/StoweFamilyLaw1

This podcast is brought to you by the Stowe talks team at Stowe Family Law - https://www.stowefamilylaw.co.uk/