Stowe talks

Matt and Liza discuss the problems around the lack of protection for unmarried couples living together. Cohabitation is the fastest growing family type and with this social change, there have been calls from family lawyers to review the law and help protect the financially vulnerable. But is this just inventing new laws for the sake of it? Can current marriage and divorce laws be adapted to better reflect society?

00:51 What are the problems with current cohabitation laws?

01:56 How property ownership works

04:47 Do unmarried couples have claims other than to property?<...

Moving on after a break-up is rarely easy, but many individuals do go on to have new relationships after divorce or separation. But what happens if you want to move in with a new partner? Buying somewhere together, or either of you moving into an existing property can have knock-on effects. Matt and Liza discuss how having a new partner can impact your divorce, including your finances, child arrangements and ongoing communication with your ex.

00:54 How does moving in with a new partner impact a financial settlement?

02:10 When the court will take...

In this episode of Stowe talks, Matt and Liza welcome back Tom Nash aka Mr Divorce Coach for a fascinating chat about how to manage a heterosexual divorce when one partner has come out. Tom explores having the conversation, letting people in, what to do about children and potential responses from the other spouse.

02:15 Common reasons people come out later in life

06:06 The impact of suppressing who you are 

09:52 Reactions and emotions experienced by the other spouse 

12:07 What preparation can you do before having the conversation

15:31 Coming out to yo...

Getting a financial settlement in divorce is a hugely important step, ensuring that you break all financial claims to your ex. The first part of this process is ‘full and frank’ financial disclosure, i.e., sharing the details of all your money, property, assets and debts. In this episode, Matt and Liza discuss the importance of legal advice in this process and potential risks of a DIY divorce.

00:34 What is financial disclosure and why is it important?

02:40 Practicalities of financial disclosure

03:28 What is the Form E?

06:00 The wider impa...

One of the main things parents going through divorce are concerned about is the impact on their children, what their family situation will be going forward, and how best to shield their children. In many cases, parents can agree on matters between themselves. However, sometimes it’s necessary for the court to get involved. In this episode, award-winning barrister from 4PB, Mani Singh Basi joins Matt and Liza for a discussion on the finer details of children proceedings in the family court.

02:09 What is the function of the Family Court when it comes to children?

05:08 Th...

Sorting out your finances on divorce can be a confusing business. There’s a lot of jargon and it can be overwhelming when you’re first setting out. In this episode, Matt and Liza answer the question ‘what is a clean break’ and ‘what is maintenance’ in divorce, how to decide what’s going to be right in your unique situation and risks to be aware of.

00:45 What is a clean break order?

02:28 What are the different types of maintenance in a divorce settlement?

02:59 Exploring how child maintenance is calculated

03:48 Understanding when spousal m...

There is a great deal of misunderstanding, and taboo around finances, but it is a topic that will impact everyone going through a divorce. Going from one  household to two, and splitting finances at the point of divorce can be tricky and stressful.

In this episode, Liz Grimshaw, financial planner and co-founder of Revival Financial Planning, talks about how to manage your money during the divorce process, what happens to your money when you divorce and understanding the importance of long-term planning, and educating yourself about money.

01:42 Why it’s important for people to manage the...

Walkaway wife syndrome has become an ever-more prominent phrase in the last few years, used to describe a woman who, after years of emotional neglect in her marriage, chooses to end the relationship. In this episode, Matt and Liza are joined by Liz Harrington, co-founder of Family Flow the Divorce Collective, alongside Susie Giles. Liz is an expert trauma therapist and coach.

This podcast explores what causes walkaway wife syndrome, 'symptoms of a walkaway wife' both in women and men, and why people choose to leave a relationship that's not necessarily problematic to outside eyes.

02:31...

Most people are new to divorce. It’s not something many of us have done before, and the whole thing can feel utterly overwhelming. The emotional and practical difficulties can lead to jumping in before we’re ready, making mistakes because we’re not thinking straight, and trying to get it all over with as quickly as possible. Whilst nobody wants to drag divorce out, one of the biggest mistakes Chloe Oudiz, a divorce and separation coach, sees, is rushing into decisions without getting the right advice or thinking things through.

Matt and Liza welcome back Chloe for th...

Divorcing when you have children comes with complications - where will they live, how much time does each parent get, how do you have the least amount of impact on their normal everyday lives. But if you have a special educational needs child, these complexities can seem almost insurmountable. 

In this special episode, Stowe talks teamed up with Smart divorce for a collaborative podcast. Matt Taylor and leading financial planner Tamsin Caine welcomed Rhiannon Gogh, an award winning chartered financial adviser and founder of PlanIt Future, a financial service for the parents and carers of SEND children. 

Stowe talks goes live! Our first ever live podcast opened up Matt and Liza to audience questions for the first time. Family law covers a huge range of issues surrounding the breakdown, and building up, of families. Everything from divorce and separation, to surrogacy and IVF laws.

In this episode, Matt and Liza answered a variety of questions, everything from how long does divorce take, to what to do with an uncommunicative ex-spouse, to financial arrangements and pensions to child matters to international divorce. 

02:00 How long does it take to get divorced?

03:35 What t...

Parenting is no picnic, and when you’re doing it solo the challenges can be even greater. Whether it’s because of a divorce or separation, co-parenting or parallel parenting, loss of a partner, or you’re doing it by yourself by choice, single parenting can be overwhelming as much as it is joyful.

In this episode, Matt & Liza are joined again by Sue Atkins, certified Parenting Coach, to discuss all things solo parenting, navigating difficult ages, tricky exes and ultimately how to put on your own oxygen mask first.

For any single/solo parents, this e...

Parenting is no picnic, and when you’re doing it solo the challenges can be even greater. Whether it’s because of a divorce or separation, co-parenting or parallel parenting, loss of a partner, or you’re doing it by yourself by choice, single parenting can be overwhelming as much as it is joyful.

In this episode, Matt & Liza are joined again by Sue Atkins, certified Parenting Coach, to discuss all things solo parenting, navigating difficult ages, tricky exes and ultimately how to put on your own oxygen mask first.

For any single/solo parents, this e...

More and more unmarried couples and friends are buying houses together, but the move comes with potentially serious financial risks. 

In this episode, Matt & Liza explain the importance of how a property is legally owned, the risks unmarried couples face and the legal options available to protect yourself financially if the love bubble bursts.  

From Joint Tenants to a Declaration of Trust, this podcast is a must-listen for anyone looking to buy a house with a partner, friend, or family member. 

00:38 Statistics on unmarried couples in the UK

01:15  The total myth of t...

Going to the family court can be overwhelming, and cause high levels of stress, fear and confusion. Learning how to prepare and understand what will happen can help reduce anxiety and build resilience to navigate the day and deal with unexpected issues along the way.

Leading divorce consultant Rhiannon Ford joined hosts Matt & Liza for this episode to share her tips and advice on how to prepare emotionally and practically for a family court hearing.

00:38 Introductions to Rhiannon 

01:24 What do people fear about the family court? 

02:58 The different types of family co...

Debts can add a layer of extra stress and complication to couples trying to navigate a divorce. What happens if one person builds up debt during the marriage? Who is responsible for the debt? What about loans from the bank of Mum & Dad? 

In this episode, Matt & Liza explore the role of debt in divorce, the different types of debt and how they are viewed, who has responsibility for debits, the approach of the family courts and the link between debts and economic abuse. 

00:00 Debt is often a part of divorce

01:09 Can you ge...

Inheritance can be one of the most emotive and complex elements of a financial settlement in divorce. 

So how is it usually dealt with? The bottom line is that inheritance isn't always safe in divorce, and there's no simple yes or no answer. 

In this episode, hosts Matt & Liza explore the tricky issue of inheritance and divorce, how the family court considers it and different ways to protect inheritance when you are married. 

00:30 The tricky issue of inheritance
00:50 How does the family court view inheritance?
01:00 Matrinomal v non-matrimonial assets
01:41 What is...

Parental responsibility is a legal term that covers the rights of a parent to be involved in making decisions in the best interests of their children. 

But it’s not just about Mum and Dad - it's possible for someone to have parental responsibility for a child without being their legal parent, and for a legal parent to not have parental responsibility.

In this episode, hosts Matt & Liza break down the myths surrounding parental responsibility, who can we have it, and who can’t, if you can lose parental responsibility, and what legal options are avail...

Domestic abuse is complex, multi-layered, and all consuming for survivors. For those in minority communities, it can present further unique challenges that need specialist support. 

Domestic Abuse Consultant, specialising in post-separation abuse and creator of You Don’t Own Me, Lucy Wade joined us to share her knowledge of the challenges faced by survivors of abuse in minority communities, and what support is available.  

If you are a victim/survivor of domestic abuse, or supporting someone else in this situation, this podcast will help. 

00:00 Welcome
00:37 Introduction to Lucy and her work 
01:44 The di...

Abusive relationships rarely start abusive. Instead, they build up over, slowly, over time, gradually changing the survivors perception of reality and sense of self.  

As our guest for this episode, domestic abuse expert and coach, Caron Kipping says: “If someone punched you in the face on your first date,  would you go back for a second date?” The answer is an obvious no, but domestic abuse slowly draws in survivors, leaving them trapped, isolated, confused and abused. 

Would you know the early signs of an abusive relationship? Take a listen as Caron explains what the red fla...

In most divorces, couples face challenges around the mortgage. From who will pay for it whilst you separate, to working out mortgage affordability for your next home. 

And with interest rates still high, a growing housing crisis and an expert predicted rocky 12-18 months ahead, we asked Charlotte Tollitt, a Mortgage Broker from Meet Margo, to join us to talk about all things mortgage and divorce. 

00:00 Introductions
01:30 Mortgages are a common issue in divorce
02:30 What happens if you don’t pay your mortgage?
04:20 Who does the bank chase for the mortgage payments?
...

The gasp factor, what should be the real headline of financial abuse, things must change and our collective responsibility…

We’re back for season 6 as we welcome leading 4PB Barrister Anita Mehta, who juggles a busy practice of complex financial remedy and children disputes with lecturing, writing and podcasting to look at how domestic abuse plays out in financial proceedings.

Co-author of the recent Resolution report on this matter, Anita takes us back to the history of how the family court has viewed domestic abuse, where we are today and makes a loud and clear call...

In April 2024, changes were made to the Family Procedure Rules to encourage more people to use non-court-based methods to resolve financial issues arising from divorce or over their children. 

Matt & Liza discuss these changes and share their (sometimes very different) opinions on what they think about the changes, and what does it actually mean for separating couples?

00:30 What are the Family Procedure Rules? 
01:01 What were the changes? 
01:31 What is non-court dispute resolution (NCDR)?
03:30 What are the positives of the changes? And how will it work in practice?07:00 How are the family courts app...

In the first of this two-parter episode, Matt and Liza were delighted to be joined again by Dr Supriya McKenna, one of the leading experts in the field of narcissism, to discuss how to prepare to leave a narcissist.

Dr Supriya shares her deep knowledge of narcissism, why it is harder to leave one, including hoovering and gaslighting, finding the right lawyer, and practical tips on the preparations needed to end your relationship. Meanwhile, Matt & Liza share legal insight, the options available to you and the pitfalls to avoid.

00:00 Introductions
02:34 Why is it harder...

In the second part of this episode, Dr Supriya McKenna, a highly experienced specialist narcissism expert, continues to share her advice and practical tools and techniques to help people prepare to leave a narcissist. (You can access the first part of this episode here.)

We pick the conversation back up as Dr Supriyas shares her advice on preparing financially, before exploring how to stay safe online, saving previous communications, and keeping personal items safe. Before closing with her top tops. Again, Matt & Liza share their insight into how the law can help and the pitfalls to avoid. 

In this bite size episode, hosts Matt & Liza turn their attention to another popular question that clients frequently ask: How much does it cost to get divorced? 

They talk through typical costs, the different ways to reduce costs, for example reaching agreement together or using mediation, and what you can do personally to save money during the process. 

All in just under 8 minutes.

00:33 The cost of the divorce application 
01:15 How much does a typical financial settlement cost? 
02:05 What are the ways to keep costs down and save money?  
04:59 What can you d...

In this bite size episode, hosts Matt & Liza turn their attention to a popular question they hear from many of their clients: How long does it take to get divorced? 

They talk through the process, how long it takes, the impact of the family court, the myth of the quickie divorce, before closing on their top tips to help speed up the process as much as possible. 

All in just under 8 minutes. 

00:30 What is the process for getting divorced?
02:20 How long does it take to get divorced? 
03:10 How does the family cour...

In this episode, hosts Matt & Liza explore what options are available for people if their ex-partner will not respond to the initial divorce application, refuses to disclose any information, or provides incorrect or misses details when trying to resolve finances. 

They dive into your legal options so you can progress your divorce, how to track down a missing ex, the role the family court can play, managing the emotional impact and anxiety, and top tips for dealing with your ex throughout the process. 

00:30 How common is it for someone not to respond to a divorce?

Narcissism has become a popular buzzword.  But despite the interest, there are many myths that undermine the complexity and destructive impact of this personality disorder.

We were delighted to be joined again by Dr Supriya McKenna, one of the leading experts in the field of narcissism, to discuss how you can tell if you are in a relationship with a ‘real’ narcissist, and why knowing this is so important, particularly if you want to leave them. 

00:00 Introductions
02:25 Why is it important to know that you are in a relationship with a ‘real’ narcissist?
03:05 Why are na...

High-net-worth divorce brings its own unique challenges, especially around understanding, valuing and dividing complex earning structures, assets and pensions, often with international elements. 

In this episode, Ceri Griffiths a chartered financial planner specialising in supporting women divorcing high earners shares her advice on how to navigate the unique issues that high-net-worth divorce can bring. 

01:43 What is a high net worth divorce? 
03:40 Common power imbalances in high-net-worth marriages 
05:00 The lack of knowledge and understanding around finances 
05:40 The prevalence of narcissism in CEOs and challenges
08:55 What is the sharing principle in divorce?
10:00 The l...

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...

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...

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: 

00:00 Introductions 
02:00The generation of div...

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...

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...

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 d...

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: 

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: 

One in 6-7 men is a domestic abuse survivor*, but only half of male victims (49%) fail to tell anyone they are a victim. Stigma, fear, shame, misinformation and societal pressures all contribute to men suffering in silence and not reporting their perpetrator. 

In this episode, hosts Matt & Liza were joined by Tom Nash, aka Mr Divorce Coach, a specialist Divorce, Separation and Family Coach, to talk through the challenges faced by men struggling and trapped in abusive relationships. 

Using his expertise and insight from supporting male clients, Tom talks about the different types of abuse, re...

Divorce and separation can be difficult for any child, but supporting teenagers through it can bring a host of different issues. 

In this episode, Matt & Liza were joined by one of the UK's leading relationship and family coaches, Nichole Farrow, as she shared her advice on how to support teenagers, including the best way to tell them, how to avoid overexposing them to what is happening, the importance of putting in boundaries, and creating a safe space to enable them to share their views. 

She also discusses role-modelling the right behaviours, showing your emotions, helping th...