Over the festive period I gave you a fictional scenario to think over. I described a family struggling to deal with divorce, and asked what advice you would give them to secure the best outcome for their children. Could the family share a happy Christmas together? How should Ed and Jane help their sons Charlie and Sam come to terms with their separation and be happy again?
This summer I ran a competition focused on a fictional scenario about a family falling apart at the seams, and asked what advice you would give them. Could the marriage be saved? What would a good financial settlement be? How could the couple best prepare their children? Given the overwhelming quality and number of the entries, I have decided to run another! This is a Christmas Competition, which will close on 3rd January 2012 at 9am. Once again, I am asking you to give your opinion of the outcome.
It has been a busy year for family law and, as it draws to a close, I note that the number of visitors to this blog in 2011 is into six figures. It’s a record number and once again I would like to thank all those readers, new and old, who have contributed their time, interest and comments.
I am very grateful to you all for following my blog, and I would like to wish you all a very happy and peaceful Christmas. In the words of Jose Feliciano, “I want to wish you a Merry Christmas from the bottom of my heart”. I have always loved his song ‘Feliz Navidad’.
My son Ben has now finished his long, hard years of patient studying (achieving a First class degree in law as a result), but with a year to wait before his training contract begins with an illustrious firm of solicitors in the City, he needed to get himself a job. Being a personable, studious chap, finding interim employment didn't take him too long, but Ben has discovered what every erstwhile student finds out in their first job - life irrevocably changes.
This Christmas gift made me laugh at the end of a hectic week. It is an illustration inspired by a tongue-in-cheek comment I made on this blog, in response to a reader who thanked me for some advice.
It was so windy on the south coast this Saturday, I thought I might get blown off the narrow pathway along which I was walking – and into the sea far below! Instead I enjoyed the thrilling challenge of being buffeted by the strong winds and breathing in the fresh sea air.
My latest column in Solicitors Journal focused on the start of my career in practice nearly 30 years ago and the ups and downs of trying to establish a branch office of a law firm in the 1980s. I was the first female lawyer in Leeds to set up and work in an office on my own, which was daunting, especially as I was only in my twenties at the time. Since then, I have often wondered if being female was a help or a hindrance.
Today I was sent this link to a newspaper story about the British television presenter Melissa Porter, who is reported to be facing an “international custody battle” over her only child. Pierce is ten months old. His father is Peter Rinfret, an American millionaire. Mr Rinfret is no stranger to family law battles. His divorce from his second wife, Cindy, has been described as “contentious”. The former marital home in Greenwich, Connecticut, is on the market for $12 million.
My home city of Leeds lost its premier citizen at the weekend, with the passing of Sir Jimmy Savile: DJ, fundraiser and television personality. I wanted to pay him a tribute because I knew him a little, and liked and respected him very much.
From my latest “Family Business” column in Solicitors Journal. Bundled off It’s a new dawn and Marilyn Stowe is feeling good about a future where digital files will replace bundles in …
I never thought for one moment that peace would ever come between Israel and the Palestinians until one particular matter had been resolved. And until now it never has. But now it is happening, and so for the first time I think that peace might just be on its way. The obstacle to be removed before anything else could begin was the freedom of captured conscript Gilad Shalit.
Who hasn't been touched by the untimely death of Steve Jobs, the genius behind Apple? Even our clients have stories about him. One client who knew Steve Jobs told me about what an amazing man he was.
Here in the office, it’s trainee interview time. This year we are looking to take on three new trainees: chicken feed compared to the numbers taken on by large London commercial firms but, like them, we are looking for high-calibre candidates with the ability to think on their feet.
With the events of my great weekend at Wembley recorded on this blog, some people have asked me about the non-appearance of my husband. Was he at Wembley too? No, he was not! He is not a fan of rugby league. He is, however a great fan of good music – and Bruch’s Violin Concerto is one of his favourites. So it was particularly sad that last week’s performance of that piece by the Israeli …
Why I think grandparents’ legal rights are fit for purpose by guest blogger David Milburn
Q&A on finances and divorce with Marilyn Stowe – Wednesday February 8th
HuffPost Divorce: The Top 10 Stereotypical Marriage Wreckers
Holocaust Memorial Day: why we must all protect our culture of tolerance
Marathon woman (From Solicitors Journal)
Marilyn Stowe is the Senior Partner at Stowe Family Law LLP. Stowe Family Law LLP is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. SRA ref 469401. Stowe Family Law LLP is registered with Companies House, ref. 331570, and registered for VAT, number 918 5722 04. A list of members is available for inspection at our Harrogate office.
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