Achieving results in family law for Exeter clients
The knowledgeable and dedicated family lawyers at Stowe Family Law assist many clients in Exeter and around Devon with issues involving divorce, cohabitation, and dissolution of civil partnerships.
The Exeter family law team, led by Managing Partner Louise Chipchase, is dedicated to providing clients the best legal assistance and representation, as seen in the case study samples below.
Our knowledgeable family lawyers will give you the comfort and peace of mind you require, whether you are going through a challenging divorce, trying to share a pension, deciding the future of the family home, or finding it challenging to co-parent.
Addressing the division of joint accounts on divorce
As part of the larger financial settlement process during divorce, the Exeter team often counsels clients on how to handle the division of joint accounts.
For example, they recently assisted a client whose marriage had ended after 12 years together. Throughout that time, they had managed their bills and outgoings through a joint account. They each made monthly deposits into the account from their earnings, with any remaining money staying in their personal accounts.
The account had a substantial sum of money in it at the time of separation. Both spouses agreed it should be classed as a marital asset and added to the pot, to be shared equally between them.
The division of the joint account was then included in the negotiations to reach a financial settlement.
During these negotiations, they agreed that the money in the joint account would be used to cover any final debts / payments the couple owned, and anything remaining would be split.
With the help of the team, the couple quickly reached an agreement on their financial settlement, avoiding any conflict or disputes. This was then turned into a legally binding consent order.
Various approaches to handling divorce settlements
Many families in Devon receive assistance from the Exeter team to settle their divorces amicably.
They achieve this through various methods, starting with direct negotiations between couples, solicitor-mediated negotiations, collaborative law, arbitration, mediation, and in a very small percentage of cases, family court.
In fact, only 80% of Stowe’s cases go to the family court, and of those who do, it is rare to progress all the way to a final hearing.
Mediation, a highly effective form of Alternative Dispute Resolution, is one of the most widely used strategies for divorce settlements in Exeter. Many of our clients who are unable to come to an agreement use this tool.
Avoiding court proceedings and focusing on resolving issues with a constructive and collaborative approach puts the clients and their family’s best interests at the forefront of any decision-making.
At Stowe, many of our lawyers have received training to serve as mediators, arbitrators, and collaborative lawyers. The Exeter team also has access to a network of other experts who can help you reach a divorce settlement outside of court.
How do you work out the division of assets in divorce?
One of the difficult aspects of reaching a financial settlement following divorce is the division of assets. This refers to the process of dividing property and other assets between the couple.
Depending on the circumstances, this can be a straightforward or a very complicated process.
The first step in the division of assets is to identify all the property and assets subject to division. This includes assets owned jointly by the couple and assets owned individually. Assets can include property, investments, pensions, vehicles, and personal property such as jewellery or art. Everything over the value of £500 must be included in the disclosure of assets.
Once all assets have been identified and valued, the next step is to determine how they will be divided. This is where things can become more complicated. In most cases, the couple agrees on how to divide their assets between them, or through solicitor lead negotiation or mediation.
However, if the couple cannot agree on their own, the court will intervene. In most cases, the court will aim to divide assets fairly and equitably between both parties. This does not necessarily mean that assets will be divided equally, but rather in a way that is deemed fair and just.
When making these decisions, the court will consider a number of factors, including the length of the marriage, the income and earning potential of each spouse, and the contributions each spouse made to the marriage.
It is important to work with an experienced lawyer who can help guide you through the process and ensure that your rights and interests are protected.
Whether you can negotiate a settlement on your own or the court needs to intervene, it is important to approach the division of assets with a clear understanding of your assets and their value, and a willingness to work towards a fair outcome.
Contact Stowe Family Law in Exeter
Stowe Family Law is the largest family law firm in the UK.
The Exeter office in Devon, one of the firm's many locations, offers legal support to people dealing with matters like divorce, cohabitation disputes, asset distribution, and nuptial agreements.
You can get help from the lawyers at Stowe Family Law's Exeter office, including Louise Chipchase, Amy Langford and Rachel Fisher, whether you're going through a difficult divorce, need help reaching a financial settlement, want to draft a cohabitation agreement or require advice on child support.
Our Exeter office is easily accessible to clients in the city centre, as well as areas such as Sowton, Matford, Nadderwater, Cowley and Shillingford Abbot. Our team of Exeter family lawyers can be contacted on 01392 322469.