Family Law Solicitors in Bishop's Stortford: Divorce, Adoption, Fertility & Prenups

Clear, compassionate legal advice from experienced family law solicitors in Bishop's Stortford, helping you navigate separation, child arrangements and financial settlements with confidence.

Delivering fair solutions for you and your family, guided by trusted legal expertise.

Support when you need it most

Family law issues can be emotionally challenging and legally complex, whether you are facing divorce, planning for the future, or growing your family. Having an experienced family law solicitor in Bishop’s Stortford who takes the time to listen, explains your options clearly, and understands your priorities can make a real difference.

Our Bishop’s Stortford family law team provides clear, practical guidance across a wide range of matters, including divorce and separation, financial settlements, child arrangements, adoption law, surrogacy, fertility law, and prenuptial and postnuptial agreements. We focus on delivering solutions that protect your interests while helping you move forward with confidence.

A calm, practical approach to divorce

Our Bishop’s Stortford divorce solicitors encourage cooperation, open communication, and early agreement to minimise conflict, reduce stress, and keep legal costs proportionate.

Where appropriate, we support mediation and collaborative law as effective alternatives to court proceedings, helping you reach a fair and sustainable outcome with greater control and certainty.

Protecting children’s interests

We take a constructive approach to resolving family law matters wherever possible, always keeping children’s welfare and long-term stability at the heart of every decision. Our family law solicitors in Bishop’s Stortford encourage cooperation, open communication and early agreement to reduce conflict, stress and legal costs.

Clear guidance from start to finish

We offer a fixed-fee family law consultation with an experienced family law solicitor in Bishop’s Stortford, giving you clear, compassionate advice on your rights, responsibilities and next steps. From your initial enquiry through to resolution, we provide practical legal support you can rely on.

Whether you are married, in a civil partnership or facing separation, our Bishop’s Stortford family law team has the experience and expertise to guide you through the process and protect what matters most, your children, your finances and your future.

Excellent service from a team who clearly cares about its work, its people and its clients.
Legal 500 UK, 2026

Our key services

The areas our family solicitors can help you with include:

Divorce and separation advice

Children, parenting and protection

Family planning and legal agreements

Contact us today

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Tees Law does not provide Legal Aid. You can find more information here about Legal Aid and eligibility requirements.

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Meet Sally Powell

Sally is a Partner at Tees and Head of the Family Department, leading a team of specialist family lawyers across all our offices. She has practised family law exclusively since qualifying as a solicitor in 2004.

Sally advises clients on all aspects of relationship breakdown, including financial settlements, children matters, prenuptial agreements and cohabitation disputes. She has a particular specialism in complex financial cases involving businesses, farms and trust structures, both in the UK and internationally.

Sally is committed to achieving practical, fair outcomes and offers a range of dispute resolution options, including collaborative law and arbitration, helping clients avoid unnecessary conflict wherever possible.

Read more about Sally Powell here.

Securing an English pension share following an international divorce

When an overseas divorce settlement doesn’t translate smoothly into the English legal system, the consequences can be costly and frustrating. In this case study, Executive Partner Sally Powell shows how deep expertise in international family law and pensions unlocked a smart, paper-only solution—securing a client’s UK pension rights without reopening court proceedings on either side of the Atlantic. A clear example of pragmatic problem-solving where cross-border law gets complicated.

Meet Helen Midgley

Helen Midgley is a Partner in the Family Department at Tees, based primarily in Bishop’s Stortford and advising clients across the firm’s offices and remotely. She has practised family law exclusively since qualifying as a solicitor in 2015, having completed her training contract at Tees.

Helen advises on all aspects of family relationship breakdown, including divorce and ending a civil partnership (dissolution proceedings), financial settlements, nuptial agreements, arrangements for children, cohabitation disputes and domestic abuse matters. She is known for her calm, practical approach and her focus on achieving fair, long-term solutions during what can be emotionally challenging times.

An all-issues, Resolution-trained Accredited Mediator and Resolution Together practitioner, Helen offers a range of dispute resolution options designed to minimise conflict and costs. She is committed to providing excellent client care and works collaboratively with colleagues across Tees’ Legal and Wealth teams to deliver joined-up, specialist advice.

Read more about Helen Midgley here

How a bespoke pre-nuptial agreement preserved £5 million in assets

Blended families and significant wealth can make marriage feel anything but simple. This case study reveals how a carefully negotiated, bespoke pre-nuptial agreement protected £5 million in assets, preserved two families’ legacies, and kept relationships firmly intact. Discover how Tees combined technical expertise with a sensitive, pragmatic approach to deliver financial certainty—without overshadowing the excitement of a wedding day.

Why choose solicitor-led divorce in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire?

Even with the introduction of no-fault divorce in April 2022, professional legal guidance remains essential. While some couples attempt a DIY divorce, many issues require expert advice:

Financial settlements: Protect your interests in property, pensions, business assets, and investments, especially in complex or high-net-worth cases in Essex.
Consent orders: Make agreements legally binding, safeguarding against future disputes.
Child arrangements and maintenance: Ensure the welfare and stability of children while clarifying parental responsibilities.

Divorcing couples still engage a solicitor for at least part of the process, demonstrating that Bishop’s Stortford divorce lawyers provide expertise that DIY filing cannot replace.

Our family and divorce lawyers are based in:

Cambridgeshire: Cambridge,
Essex: Chelmsford, and Saffron Walden
Hertfordshire: Bishop’s Stortford and North Herts

But we can help you wherever you are in England and Wales.

Meet our Bishop's Stortford family law team

Harry Calder

Solicitor

Family Law

Caitlin Day

Trainee Solicitor

Family Law

Stephanie Hill

Paralegal

Family Law

Helen Midgley

Partner

Family Law

Sally Powell

Executive Partner

Family Law

Our experience in divorce law

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Key people

Featured insights

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Protecting the Bank of Mum and Dad through cohabitation and nuptial agreements

The “Bank of Mum and Dad” remains one of the UK’s largest sources of property finance. With high property prices

Blurred lines: Situationships and family law

A ‘situationship’ is essentially the grey zone of modern dating. In this article, we will explore what situationships are, how

The legal rights of unmarried couples living together

Living together without getting married is a common choice for many couples. However, it’s essential to understand the legal differences

Key legal steps for parents: Relocating with children after divorce

Amber Kennedy, an expert in parental legal rights, shares essential information for separated parents considering relocating with their child. Relocation

Divorce FAQs

How much does a divorce cost?

Costs depend on the complexity of your case, including whether the divorce is contested or if mediation is required. We discuss all likely fees clearly during your first consultation, so you know what to expect and can plan confidently.

If your combined assets as a family are over £750,000 or your combined family income is more than £100,000 a year, do give us a ring to book an initial consultation.

In addition, we offer alternatives to the traditional divorce process, which can be lower-cost options. Our experts are trained in divorce mediation, arbitration and collaborative law.

How to start the divorce process?

A solicitor can help you start the process of getting divorced, help you get the best result, and keep the process as straightforward as possible. A solicitor can help you issue or respond to divorce papers. We can also help you:

Fill out divorce papers or respond to divorce papers
Reach a financial settlement after divorce
Agree on maintenance payments and child maintenance
Divide your assets

How does the divorce process work in England and Wales?

Divorce in England and Wales follows a clear legal process. Our solicitors guide you through each step, from applying to the court to finalising the divorce, helping you understand your options and responsibilities. We make sure you feel supported, whether your divorce involves finances, property, or children.

How long does a divorce take?

A straightforward divorce usually takes around six months, but this can vary if there are financial or child-related matters to resolve. Our team works efficiently to avoid unnecessary delays, keeping you informed throughout.

Do I need a solicitor to get divorced?

You don’t legally need a solicitor, but divorce can have significant financial and personal implications. Our solicitors help protect your interests, ensure agreements are legally binding, and offer expert guidance on matters such as property, pensions, and children.

What happens to finances and property during divorce?

Financial arrangements are dealt with separately from the divorce itself. Our solicitors advise on fair divisions of property, savings, and pensions and help negotiate settlements or guide you through court processes if needed.

What happens if children are involved in a divorce?

Children’s welfare is always the priority. We work with parents to create practical, child-focused arrangements, supporting mediation or court applications when necessary, so children’s needs are met throughout the process.

How does divorce impact a will?

Many people wrongly believe that a divorce automatically cancels or invalidates a will. Similarly, individuals with an existing will may neglect to review it after a divorce, unaware of the potential implications. Divorce can significantly affect the provisions of a will, an often overlooked issue. It is essential to update a will whenever there is a major change in circumstances, such as a divorce. Our specialist team can help review your will.

Can divorce be handled through mediation instead of court?

Yes. Mediation can be faster, less stressful, and more cost-effective. Our solicitors advise whether mediation is suitable for your circumstances and provide expert support throughout the process.

What is the difference between a contested and uncontested divorce?

An uncontested divorce is straightforward, with both parties in agreement. A contested divorce involves disputes, which may require court involvement. Our team ensures you receive clear guidance, whether your case is simple or complex.

Do you offer divorce services in Essex, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire?

Absolutely. Tees Law provides expert divorce services across Essex, Cambridgeshire, and Hertfordshire, with solicitors who understand the local context and can offer personalised support.

Can I speak to a divorce solicitor locally or remotely?

Yes. We offer flexible appointments either at one of our local offices or remotely via phone or video call, making it easy to get advice wherever you are.

Which Tees Law offices handle divorce cases?

Our family law and divorce solicitors are based across multiple offices in Essex, Cambridgeshire, and Hertfordshire. Your case is handled by the right solicitor for your situation, supported by our wider family law team.