Mon - Fri 8:30am - 7pm | Sat - Sun 9am - 5pm
Call local rate
Monday to Friday : 8:30am – 7pm
Saturday and Sunday : 9am – 5pm
All in-office appointments are by pre-arrangement only.
Please note that we cannot offer legal aid.
Office address
Stowe Family Law LLP
Northgate House
Upper Borough Walls
Bath
BA1 1RG
More local offices
We offer an award-winning service
Our team of Bath family lawyers
Successful divorce lawyers and family solicitors Bath
We can assist you at every step of the divorce process, from drafting a prenuptial agreement (prenup) through negotiating a child custody arrangement or financial settlement. Should you ever require this kind of support, we are also well regarded for our expertise in civil partnership dissolution and cohabitation agreements.
We are recognised for our caring and realistic approach, which gives our clients direction and a sense of conviction during a period that is frequently stressful and frustrating. With a particular focus on resolving complex financial matters and child welfare issues, our team of family law lawyers in Bath have a depth of experience in all aspects of family law.
Many of our clients are high-net-worth individuals or professionals, some with relations and holdings internationally. We also provide divorce advice to expats and foreign nationals who are presently residing in the UK or have recently done so.
Jemma Slavin, our Regional Director and a highly regarded lawyer with years of extensive experience practicing family law, leads our team of Bath Family Solicitors.
If you need assistance resolving a contentious family law matter, we are dedicated to helping you find a peaceful settlement through family mediation and collaborative law.
The specialist team of family lawyers in the South West and Wales provide compassionate, tailored advice to our clients, helping them achieve outcomes for them and their families which help them take their next steps in life. With expertise in divorce and finance, complex business and trust matters, and children disputes, the team take a holistic view of the whole case, being focused on what our clients want to achieve. The team have expertise in farming, businesses, child abduction and cohabitation cases, offering the full service of family advice.
Why Stowe Family Law, Bath
No matter what difficulties you and your family are currently experiencing or may face in the future, you can count on our family lawyers to be there to listen and provide any necessary assistance.
We are the only national law firm that is solely focused on representing clients in family law matters. We do not interact with anything else.
You’ll find a sympathetic and supportive companion in us, one who shares your experiences and helps to bear your burdens.
Putting you in a secure position from which you can continue on in your life.
Handled with care.
Featured services
“
”
Read reviews for Bath
Rachel Fisher was recognised as a Key Lawyer and received a special mention: ‘Rachel Fisher is an impressive solicitor. She works incredibly hard for her clients, ensuring that she has thought of all avenues and provides sensible advice.’
After a very complicated and multi jurisdiction divorce that had been running for 3 years I switched to Stowe Family Law. I had an initial meeting with Jemma Slavin and was filled with confidence in her ability and knowledge immediately. Jemma was extremely thorough in bringing matters to a conclusion using all tools at her disposal. I was kept fully informed as well as being asked for my opinion on each course of action taken along the way. From my own experience I can only say that I would recommend both Jemma and Stowe Family Law in dealing with anything other than straightforward family law. Finally a huge thank you Jemma for expeditiously bringing matters to a successful conclusion.
[the team] ‘work with each client individually to achieve the best outcome for the client. They work in a holistic way with other professionals and provide support opportunities beyond the purely legal through referrals and workshops and seminars with coaches and other partners.‘
Rachel Fisher is always extremely well prepared and she offers her clients sensible and considered advice. Rachel is always focused on getting the client the best possible outcome.
I would highly recommend Louise Chipchase based at the Cheltenham office, who I have known for many years. She is extremely skilled in Family and Finance Law, and always offers robust and realistic representation. You will not be disappointed with her representation. She is very diligent, understanding, hard working and always strives to achieve the best outcome where possible for all her clients. She keeps herself fully abreast of all the changes in her field of expertise and has no hesitation in “going the extra mile” for her clients. She is simply a pleasure to work with. June Williams, Cornwall Street Barristers.
Visit Stowe Family Law Solicitors, Bath
Our Bath office is easily accessible to clients in the city centre, as well as areas such as Bradford-on-Avon, Weston, Winsley and Englishcombe.
You will find Stowe Family Law’s Bath team located in Northgate House, right in the heart of the city near to the River Avon. If arriving by car, please note that there isn’t any on-street parking available immediately outside the office building. The nearest car parks are Podium Car Park and Cattle Market Car Park. If you’re travelling into Bath by rail, our office is situated just a 10-minute walk from Bath Spa train station.
We are open for you to call us from 8:30am – 7pm, Monday to Friday.
And 9am – 5pm on Saturday and Sunday.
-
Understanding what you're going through
-
Making family law easier to grasp
-
Helping to take the strain
-
Tailoring our services for you and your circumstances
More about our divorce lawyers and family law solicitors in Bath
More about our divorce lawyers and family law solicitors in Bath
-
Divorce law
Whether you’re looking to divorce your partner, or you’re responding to a divorce application made by your spouse, you’ll be looking for expert advice and support.
The divorce process is often confusing, and for many, anger and frustration can creep in during divorce proceedings; which is why Stowe Family Law take great care to outline the emotional, practical and legal challenges that lie ahead whilst providing next steps so that you can move forward to achieve the outcome you’re looking for.
Our divorce solicitors in Bath can provide guidance on completing the divorce petition, through to negotiating financial settlements and child custody (child arrangement orders). Our expert law team is based in offices located on Cathedral Road (CF11) so we’re well placed to help you if you’re looking for legal services from divorce solicitors in Bath.
-
Starting a divorce application
A divorce application marks the start of your divorce process. You can apply for a divorce by yourself (sole applicant) or make a joint application with your ex-spouse (joint applicants). Getting this early part right is important as it can help to save you time and money; it can also help to make the process more amicable. Our divorce lawyers can support you in completing and submitting the divorce application to prevent delays.
-
Responding to a divorce application
If you’ve been served with a divorce application and named as the respondent, it’s sometimes unclear as to how you should respond; you’ll be presented with a lot of legal wording and expressions that do more to create frustration than they do to provide clarity. Our Bath divorce lawyers can help you to respond to a divorce application while preparing you to get the best possible outcome for you, and for your family.
-
Arrangements for children and child custody
Working out your arrangements for child custody can be a difficult and emotional step, and while it can become a contentious issue, it is in the best interests of your children to reach an amicable agreement with your ex-partner. It is helpful to have the support of a child law specialist on-hand to provide guidance on what a fair and workable arrangement might look like for you and your family. Our Bath child solicitors have extensive experience in child arrangement cases and have seen a variety of solutions to suit every situation, no matter how niche. Our goal is to get the best outcome for your children and to help you to maintain a positive relationship with your ex-partner where possible.
-
Financial settlements in divorce
Each marriage is different, and this is always reflected in your finances. Trying to unpick years of financial ties can feel like an overwhelming task, and there are often complex financial issues that need to be resolved. Financial Settlements (commonly known as Divorce settlements) can cover everything from pensions, to investments, the family home, and even assets you owned before you got married; so getting expert financial and legal help with your financial order is important if you’re looking to protect your assets while providing for your family once the divorce is finalised.
We have experience in dealing with complex financial matters, property and estates; as well as catering to high net worth individuals and clients with assets abroad, so if you are looking to achieve a fair settlement while protecting your assets, our financial settlement lawyers and forensic accounting team can help you.
-
Civil partnership dissolution
Like divorce, ending a civil partnership will take a heavy emotional toll. While some are familiar with the concept of divorce, for many, the path to dissolving a civil partnership will be much less clear; this process is known as dissolution and can only be instigated after you’ve been in a civil partnership for a year. If you choose to dissolve your civil partnership, you will be entitled to all the same benefits and entitlements as those who get divorced, and in a similar vein, thought will need to be given to the sharing of assets, arrangements for children. The main difference between dissolution and divorce is that you cannot use ‘adultery’ as your grounds for dissolution, this must instead fall under ‘unreasonable behaviour’. To help you navigate a dissolution application, our expert team can provide practical guidance and peace of mind.
-
Why choose Stowe Family Law solicitors in Bath?
Our expert family law solicitors have decades of experience and have access to hundreds of years worth of expertise from our teams across the country. We’re the UK’s largest family law specialist, delivering tailored service and expertise, locally to you.
Our client-centric approach has seen us recognised by the Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners for our commitment to outstanding client service and client success.
We understand that the best outcomes are often achieved amicably, where positive relationships remain long after your need for us had ended, so all of our Bath lawyers are members of Resolution; a network of legal experts who are committed to promoting a constructive approach to dispute resolution that focuses on meeting the needs of the whole family and achieving a positive outcome.
Clients frequently cite our compassion, empathy and our ability to deliver the ‘hard facts’ and clear guidance they need to move forward with their case, and their lives. To hear more about what our clients think about us and our approach, watch our video here.
-
Updates from our Bath office
Frequently asked questions about family law
Frequently asked questions about family law
-
How old does a child have to be to decide which parent they live with in the UK?
Currently in the UK, the courts will listen to a child’s opinion on where they want to reside from the age of 16. While younger children can make their opinion known, it will have no legal bearing. A child’s wishes and feelings are just one of the considerations for the court, and may be given different weight subject to other factors, including the age of the child, how mature they are for their age, whether they are likely to have been influenced, if their decision is spontaneous or carefully considered, if they can explain their reasoning and how the child might be affected if their opinion is ignored.
If you have any concerns about this, please get in touch with us and ask to speak to a child lawyer.
-
What is a child arrangements order?
A child arrangements order is a formal court order that sets out the overall arrangements for the child or children including where they will live and what the arrangements are for the care of a child between the parents. This includes where a child will reside, where they will spend time and with whom. These legally binding orders can also provide for other provisions including holiday periods, birthdays and any other agreements concerning parenting or welfare.
-
What is a special guardianship order?
An SGO is similar to a child arrangements order in that it sets out parental responsibility, but also enables a guardian (or guardians) to make day-to-day and future decisions on behalf of the child, up until the age of 18. SGO’s are less permanent than adoption orders.
-
How do I start a divorce application?
A divorce application, otherwise known as form D8, marks the start of your divorce process.
You can apply for a divorce by yourself (sole applicant) or make a joint application with your ex-spouse (joint applicants).
Alternatively, if you receive a divorce application from your spouse, you are called the respondent in the legal process.
You can submit your application online via a court portal or make a paper application. Both require payment of a court fee of £612.
-
How do I respond to a divorce application?
If you’ve been served with a divorce application and named as the respondent, it’s sometimes unclear as to how you should respond; you’ll be presented with a lot of legal wording and expressions that do more to create frustration than they do to provide clarity. Our Bath divorce lawyers can support you in responding to a divorce application, providing guidance on what you can expect to happen next while preparing you so you can get the best possible outcome for you, and for your family.
-
What are my rights in a divorce?
You may be entitled to various financial provisions on getting divorced such as maintenance payments, pension orders, a lump sum or property orders including the right to continue living in the family home. Parents have to agree on arrangements regarding their children. These issues are dealt with during the divorce process and in separate procedures afterwards. It is usually in everyone’s interests for divorcing spouses to discuss and agree on as much of these things as possible then to seek legal advice from a family lawyer.
-
Can you help with civil partnership dissolution?
Like divorce, ending a civil partnership will take a heavy emotional toll. While some are familiar with the concept of divorce, for many, the path to dissolving a civil partnership will be much less clear; this process is known as dissolution and can only be instigated after you’ve been in a civil partnership for a year. If you choose to dissolve your civil partnership, you will be entitled to all the same benefits and entitlements as those who get divorced, and in a similar vein, thought will need to be given to the sharing of assets, arrangements for children. To help you navigate a dissolution, our expert team of specialist divorce lawyers can provide practical guidance and peace of mind.
Close
Newsletter Sign Up
Sign up for advice on divorce and relationships from our lawyers, divorce coaches and relationship experts.
Privacy Policy