You are here: Home » Offices » Harrogate
Call us: Mon - Fri 8:30am - 7pm, Sat - Sun 9am - 5pm
Call local rate 01423 532600
Mon - Fri 8:30am - 7pm | Sat - Sun 9am - 5pm
Contact us

Contact us

01423 532 600

You can call us from 8:30am – 7pm, Monday to Friday and 9am – 5pm on Saturday and Sunday.

Please note that all in-office appointments are by pre-arrangement only.

Office address

Old Court House
Raglan St
Harrogate
HG1 1LT

Postal address

Stowe Family Law LLP
Old Court House
Raglan St
Harrogate
HG1 1LT

DX 11969 Harrogate

Successful & compassionate divorce lawyers in Harrogate

Our team of award-winning family and divorce lawyers in Harrogate is led by Managing Partner Christopher Birch. Christopher is joined by Partners Neil Dring and Kate Sarsfield and a team of five Senior Solicitors and an in-house accountancy team. 

We are family law specialists.  Since the firm’s founding in 1982, we have provided family law services only.  Most of our family solicitors been giving family legal advice for their entire careers.

On your side, in and out of court – family solicitors Harrogate

We will listen, advise and guide you through the legal and practical process of divorce and other family matters. Ideally, we will work to settle out of court but are equally experienced in litigation and have a strong, robust approach and an excellent track record.

All of our Harrogate family lawyers are members of Resolution, which means that we are aligned in our commitment “to the constructive resolution of family disputes” and follow a Code of Practice that “promotes a non-confrontational approach to family problems.”

Alternatives to court are centred around dialogue between spouses and their solicitor or solicitors.  Methods include mediation and arbitration, which can be explained to you at the initial consultation.

Helping you before, during and after separation – divorce lawyers Harrogate

We are highly experienced in advising and acting in all areas of family law with a particular focus on resolving complex financial matters and protecting the welfare of children during a divorce or separation. Our clients range from high-net worth individuals with complex financials to local professionals with more straightforward matters. 

Asset protection – Harrogate family solicitors

Whether you wish to protect your wealth or want to ensure your financial future is secured, our Harrogate team of family solicitors work hand-in-hand with our in-house accountancy team to get the best representation and outcome.

You’re in good hands – award winning solicitors Harrogate

Stowe Family Law was recognised as the Family Law Firm of the Year at the 2018 Yorkshire Legal Awards and has been shortlisted again as a finalist for the ‘Family Law Award’ in 2020.

Make a confidential enquiry

Our team of Harrogate family lawyers
Christopher Birch
Sharp, knowledgeable and determined with a no-nonsense approach, I combine legal expertise...
Managing Partner, Harrogate, Beverley, York & Malton
Neil Dring
I cover all areas of family law with a focus on financial settlements and child arrangemen...
Partner, Wetherby & Harrogate
Katie Kilburn
I deal with a range of different cases from a family breakdown with minimal assets to weal...
Partner, Wetherby & the rest of Yorkshire
Kate Sarsfield
Since training at Stowe Family Law, I have specialised in family law for over 20 years. In...
Partner, Harrogate & Wetherby
Mark Christie
I have specialised in family law for over 35 years with a focus on divorce, separation and...
Senior Solicitor, Harrogate & Wetherby
Jo Childs
Jo is Regional Team Leader for Yorkshire looking after a team of Legal Assistants and Post...
Regional Team Leader (Yorkshire)
 
Gill Bridger
Gill is a Legal Assistant based at our Harrogate family solicitors office working with law...
Legal Assistant
 
Debbie Durkin
Debbie is a Legal Assistant based at our Beverley office. She also assists the lawyers at ...
Legal Assistant
 
Michelle Richardson
Michelle is a Legal Assistant based at our Harrogate family law office and works with our ...
Legal Assistant
 

Expertise in divorce and family farms

We have considerable experience in resolving cases involving family farms and agricultural businesses. These complicated cases require expert strategic preparation to secure a successful outcome for both parties without having to sell or weaken the commercial viability of the farming business.

Featured services

“
”

What our clients say

I would thoroughly recommend Stowe Family Law, in particular Kate Sarsfield. Having found myself in the unfortunate position of needing a divorce lawyer early in the New Year, she acted promptly to meet and represent me. She was quick to respond and have a clear grasp of the situation, even in one instance calling me at 10pm. She was understanding and supportive and I felt safe with Stowe Family Law.
Client: Mrs W
I would be delighted to recommend Theo’s services. He guided me through my divorce process to a swift and amicable position, acting in a professional and respectful manner throughout.
Client: Mr M
Mark Christie provided me with exceptional support throughout a very difficult divorce. His professionalism and robust attention to detail are second to none. He gave me hard facts alongside solid advice and guidance throughout the whole process. His robust and pragmatic approach was reassuring and I certainly felt Mark shouldered the burden of my divorce allowing me to sleep at night knowing I had an excellent solicitor acting for me. I will always be grateful to Mark and would highly recommend him, more so I'm certainly grateful he was in my corner!
Client: Mrs D
Stowe Family Law has an excellent reputation across Yorkshire and is highly regarded by clients and peers alike.
Client: Legal 500
When faced with the emotional process of a family break up and everything that that brings I was some what daunted by the thought of instructing a solicitor who would be both emotionally understanding and fiercely determined when it came to my situation. Stowe family law came highly recommended to me, in particular, Kate Sarsfield was the name that kept on being mentioned. From the moment I met her I knew she would guide me through it step by step explaining everything to me in language I could understand whilst being fearless, standing her ground and making sure I got the result I wanted. Both Kate and the team at Stowe made the whole process a lot easier to go through. Thank you.
Client: Mrs P
My experience with Stowe Family Law was with Kate Sarsfield. I have nothing but praise for her. I was highly impressed with her availability and prompt responses to my queries. I found her to be exceptionally efficient in keeping the momentum, and coming up with a solution to any situation that she faced. She was so supportive and approachable through what had been an extremely difficult time, and always provided me with sound professional advice. From start to finish, it has been such a pleasure. Kate helped me achieve the best possible outcome, and I really cannot recommended her highly enough. Thank you Kate! The whole firm from the accounts department to the front staff team, were lovely too.
Client: Mrs M
Divorces can be particularly unpleasant and after 30 years I really hadn't seen it coming. This was emotionally a very difficult time for me. It was my fortune to find Theo Hoppen of Stowe Family Law of Harrogate. Thanks to the advice and guidance that Theo provided me, it enabled me to keep going when at times I wanted to throw the towel in. Theo is a true expert in his field, his legal advice was always spot on and often a tremendous source of comfort particularly when I was most down. Theo handled my case with sensitivity and utmost professionalism and enabled me to look past the raw emotion as he navigated me through an unpleasant divorce. Theo provided a service that I cannot recommend highly enough.
Client: Mr L
Can I just add that leaving you today I have felt the best I have in months, I felt safer and reassured, a huge, terrifying load fell from my shoulders. My family has had too much to do to support me through this and I’ve felt some guilt, as they too suffer my ex's abuse, although hugely appreciative of their massive help, I’m relieved the burden can be lightened, thank you so very much.
Client: Mrs C
Trustpilot

Stowe Family Law Harrogate

Whatever you’re facing as a family, in whatever shape yours is, was, or will be, we’ll be here to listen to what you have to say and help with what you need to do.

As the only national law firm completely dedicated to family matters. we don’t touch anything else.

In us, you will have an ally who understands what you are going through and takes the strain.

Meaning you can move forward in life from a position of strength.

Handled with care.

  • 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 office in Harrogate

  • How to find our Harrogate office

    We can be found just around the corner from the Everyman Cinema, opposite the back of the library in the Old Court House. The train station and bus station are a five-minute walk away.

    Time limited on-street parking is available directly outside the office. Payable public car-parking can be found close by at the Odeon car park and the West Park multi-storey car park.

    Our phone lines are open from 8:30am – 7pm, Monday to Friday

    and 9am – 5pm on Saturday and Sunday

  • Achieving the best outcome for you

    Taking the first step in getting legal assistance is often hardest. Family matters such as separation, child custody and maintenance are serious and the approach you take and decisions you make now, are likely to affect your life for years to come.

    The first time you meet, your divorce lawyer will focus on understanding your situation including: family structure and finances, separation circumstances and desired outcomes. You will then be advised on the legal processes and routes and options available to help you achieve those outcomes.

    Apart from giving you direction, we aim for every client to walk away from the initial appointment with a clear plan and feeling calmer and confident, whether it be a separation, divorce, child or financial matter, or all of the above.  This approach will increase your chances of achieving your goals and avoiding delays in the divorce process.

    The first appointment is also an opportunity for you to decide if you want to entrust your case to us and the divorce solicitor giving you that initial advice.

  • Starting the divorce process

    The person initiating the divorce submits a divorce application to the court and is thereafter known as the Applicant.  If your ex-partner has already done that, then you will be referred to as the Respondent.  The divorce process requires different actions of Applicants and Respondents at different times, and there are strategic implications for both, especially if one of you lives overseas.

  • How long your divorce is likely to take

    In England & Wales, for straightforward and uncontested divorce cases, the process can take between 4 – 6 months.  On average, the whole process takes approximately one year.  Longer than 12 months is common for cases where there are drawn out disagreements on child and financial matters.  It is impossible to predict exactly how long a divorce will take, though a good a divorce lawyer will help give you an educated estimate.

  • How much your divorce is likely to cost

    In England & Wales, a divorce costs £593 for the application, plus any solicitor fees and court fees (if applicable). Going to court tends to make divorce more expensive due to court, barrister and additional solicitor fees.

    The cleanest and most cost-effective divorces are those where both parties reach an agreement on how to divorce including: the reason for divorce, arrangements for children and the division of assets.  Doing so will minimise the amount of solicitor time and the possibility of litigation in court.

  • Who gets the children in a divorce

    Child arrangements depend largely on what the family decides, the suitability of each parent, the child’s wishes and where applicable, the ruling of a family court Judge.  Resulting arrangements can include sole custody, where one parent is the sole caretaker of the child, joint custody and third-party custody where a third party such as a grandparent becomes responsible for the child’s welfare.

  • Your entitlement to the family home

    As a starting point in a divorce, assets are split 50:50.  As the family home is often the largest asset in the matrimonial pot, then it is common for it to be split between the parties.  If a family has other assets, then the house could be given to one party and the other assets to the other.  Children are another factor that affects financial arrangements during a divorce.  To answer this question accurately, a comprehensive understanding will be required of your family finances.

Close

Newsletter Sign Up

For all the latest news from Stowe Family law
please sign up for instant access today.



    Privacy Policy
    This site uses cookies: Find out more.