In this episode of Family Law in the UK, host Natasha Slabas is joined by two guest speakers: Rosemary Budden, a barrister at Queen Elizabeth Building who also sits as a pFDR judge, and Samantha Jago, head of the Guildford Family Law Team at DMH Stallard and a senior family lawyer at the firm. Together, they explore the impact of neurodivergence on children whose families are going through separation, and how the family court system addresses—or often fails to address—their specific needs.

The discussion begins with Rosemary defining neurodivergence as a broad umbrella term covering neurological differences including autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, dyspraxia, learning disabilities, and sensory processing issues. Samantha then offers a personal perspective as the parent of a 16-year-old son with severe ADHD, describing the daily challenges he faces with structure, timekeeping, and emotional regulation. She references a BBC news article noting that children with ADHD or autism can spend as much as 50% of their time excluded from school lessons—something she has experienced first-hand.

The conversation turns to how the court process itself can be difficult for neurodivergent children. Natasha highlights the challenges of moving between households in private children disputes, noting that transitions can be destabilising—particularly around bedtimes and school mornings—and that parents at loggerheads may overlook these seemingly small but significant details. Samantha shares a case in which she represented a mother of a severely autistic, near non-verbal child whose need for routine and a familiar home environment was dismissed by the judge in financial remedy proceedings, resulting in an order that the house be sold despite the child's welfare needs.

This leads to a broader point about the tension between private children proceedings—where the child's welfare is the paramount consideration—and financial proceedings, where it is merely the first consideration. Both speakers suggest there may be a case for reform, particularly where neurodivergent children are involved.

On the question of evidence, Rosemary advises that where both parents agree on the extent of their child's neurodivergence, they should set out an agreed written statement at the earliest possible stage describing the child's condition and additional needs. Where parents disagree—which she notes is common and often a contributing factor to the breakdown of the relationship—she recommends obtaining joint expert evidence from a neutral professional who can provide an independent assessment. Samantha adds that historical diagnostic forms completed by parents, schools, and GPs before the relationship broke down can be valuable evidence of the child's needs.

The panel discusses practical solutions for neurodivergent children going through their parents' separation. These include retaining the family home where possible, considering the layout of future housing for dyspraxic children, allowing longer timeframes before a sale, minimising handovers for autistic children who thrive on routine, and being creative about arrangements such as nesting—where the child remains in one home and the parents rotate. Samantha closes by reflecting positively on her experience as the parent of a neurodivergent child, noting the joy, colour, and alternative outlook her son brings, and encouraging listeners to view neurodiversity as a superpower to be embraced.

For more information about any of the areas covered in this episode, or if you need advice from one of our family law solicitors, please contact us via our online enquiry form.

This episode features Natasha Slabas (creator and host of the podcast, and Senior Family Partner at DMH Stallard’s London Family Office), Victoria Ellis (barrister at Pump Court Chambers), and Rachel Osgood (Senior Family Partner, DMH Stallard's Guildford Family Office) discussing neurodivergence within family court proceedings.

What is neurodivergence and why is it relevant to family law proceedings?
The episode opens by acknowledging that neurodivergence is described as a "loaded question" that "crops up very often" in family law practice. The discussion frames it as a significant issue requiring practitioners to understand how it affects parties' participation in proceedings and what adjustments may be necessary within a court framework.

How is it categorised by Family Courts in the UK?
The podcast addresses how neurodivergence is categorised by the family courts, noting that this is a complex area still in its embryonic stages. The discussion references the Family Justice Council Guidance on Neurodiversity, issued in 2025, as a key framework for how the courts now approach categorisation. 

How have family courts adapted to neurodivergence?
The episode highlights several adaptations, including Practice Direction 3AA (PD3AA), which is designed to recognise neurodivergence and pre-plan adjustments needed for those with special needs, particularly in cross-examination. The use of intermediaries in practice is also discussed, alongside the Vulnerable Gateway Toolkit as a resource for practitioners appearing in family courts. 

Importance of early intervention
The podcast addresses early discussion and disclosure, including the limitations on the use of potentially self serving medical evidence if presented from a party’s GP. The importance of identifying neurodivergence at an early stage is critical so that appropriate measures can be put in place before proceedings advance.

How to manage situations where there are two neurodivergent parties in proceedings
Victoria and Rachel discuss the practical problems associated with extra witness time and the need for striking a balance between meeting special measures and avoiding abuse of process. Natasha also describes issues she has experienced in cases where witnesses have special measures in place. 

What role does the Equal Treatment Bench Book play in promoting fairness and accessibility?
The Equal Treatment Bench Book is raised as a topic for discussion, with the question posed as to whether it is "fit for purpose".  

Reducing the risk of self-serving evidence of clients
Natasha raises the potential for "self-serving material" when medical evidence is presented, particularly from a GP. This suggests the need for practitioners to be alert to the risk of neurodivergence being relied upon strategically rather than genuinely and for it to be demonstrated as unbiased.

How DMH Stallard's family solicitors can help neurodivergent claimants
Rachel Osgood, as Senior Family Partner in DMH Stallard's Guildford Family Office, contributes throughout the episode alongside Victoria Ellis. DMH Stallard LLP has the expertise and significant experience across the board in assisting neurodivergent clients navigating family proceedings. 

In this episode, Family Law Partner Natasha Slabas is joined by Divorce coach, Sarah Woodward to explore the increasingly important role of divorce coaches and how they work alongside divorce solicitors to support clients through the separation process.

Unlike solicitors, divorce coaches do not offer legal advice. Instead, they help clients manage the psychological and logistical challenges that accompany the end of a marriage, such as decision-making, communication with a former spouse, and planning for life after divorce.

When divorce coaches and solicitors collaborate effectively, clients benefit from a more holistic approach to the divorce process. Solicitors focus on the legal framework: advising on financial settlements, child arrangements, and court proceedings. Divorce coaches, meanwhile, prepare clients emotionally for key meetings, help them articulate their priorities, and reduce the likelihood of decisions driven by heightened emotions rather than long-term interests.

This division of labour can make legal consultations more productive. Clients who have worked with a coach often arrive at appointments with clearer goals, better-organised documentation, and a calmer mindset—saving time and potentially reducing legal costs.

In this episode of Family Law in the UK, Family Partner Natasha Slabas is joined by Amelia Groom, an Associate in the DMH Stallard family team in London, for a discussion on ‘Divorce Day’, and the tips and tricks for navigating the divorce process. 

Every year, the first Monday in January—often dubbed “Divorce Day”—marks a surge in enquiries from people contemplating separation after the holidays. While it is a busy date in the family law calendar, for many it is a moment of clarity rather than impulsivity. Natasha and Amelia discuss how early, expert advice from a family lawyer you trust can turn a daunting period into a structured, safer process. A collaborative approach should be the default, with court reserved as a last resort— save where immediate protection or urgent court intervention is necessary.

Key talking points include:

• How does the divorce process work in England and Wales?
• Why is a financial order essential?
• What if it's unsafe to remain in the same household?
• What routes exist to resolve finances and children issues outside court?
• What practical steps should you take early?
• What common misconceptions should you avoid?

In this episode of Family Law in the UK, Family law Partner, Natasha Slabas is joined by Chartered Financial Planner, Jade Swanston of Advanta Wealth to unpack the financial realities of divorce and why expert advice - taken early - can be the difference between reactive decisions and a confident, sustainable plan. 

Jade explains how Advanta Wealth’s specialist divorce proposition grew out of real experience, including a colleague’s own divorce—illustrating how even finance professionals can feel overwhelmed without structured, future-focused planning.

The conversation centres on practical, plain-English guidance for people at any stage of separation. Jade outlines how cashflow modelling brings clarity to the “two households from one” challenge by creating a “base case” for life immediately post‑divorce and then stress‑testing realistic scenarios. Using financial disclosure (Form E), budgets and sensible assumptions, she shows how to assess affordability, prioritise needs, and avoid the common trap of focusing only on the family home at the expense of income, pensions and long‑term security. Natasha highlights how clients often overvalue the here‑and‑now and undervalue retirement planning; Jade describes how scenario planning helps weigh trade‑offs such as offsetting pension claims to keep the home, the long‑term cost of doing so, and whether downsizing or adjusting retirement timelines might be more prudent.

They also tackle Duxbury calculations and the appeal of a “bird in the hand” lump sum to capitalise maintenance. Jade explains how personalised cashflow modelling complements Duxbury by tailoring assumptions to an individual’s risk profile and life goals, exploring how to deploy a lump sum - whether via risk‑managed investments or income‑producing products - to meet spending needs over time. 

This episode also looks at hidden items that frequently get missed when couples “agree a deal” without full advice: updating wills and pension death nominations, revisiting beneficiary designations, splitting joint protection policies, and insuring maintenance obligations against death, incapacity or job loss. The takeaway is practical and empowering: comprehensive, early financial planning provides a calmer decision‑making framework in an emotionally charged process, helps you see beyond survival mode, and supports outcomes that stand up not only on day one after decree absolute, but 10–15 years down the line. 

In this episode, Natasha Slabas (Family Law Partner in London) and Samantha Jago (Family Law Partner in Guildford) sit down with James Evans, Head of Professional Education at Our Family Wizard (OFW), to explore how the platform is transforming communication in family law proceedings. Whether used before, during or after court involvement, OFW offers a structured and secure space for separated parents to manage co-parenting more effectively. 

Having recommended OFW for over a decade, Samantha shares how valuable the tool has been in her own practice. She highlights the “ToneMeter” feature as particularly useful. It gives live feedback on the tone of written messages, helping parents reflect and potentially reframe aggressive or emotionally charged language. There’s also an upgraded version of this feature powered by OFW’s own closed AI system, which can suggest more appropriate wording. 

The podcast also touches on potential concerns, such as a parent refusing to use the app. If OFW is court-ordered and one party fails to engage, this is logged and visible to the other party and professionals involved. In cases of faked or manipulated communications, which are sadly not uncommon, James emphasises that OFW offers greater security than alternatives. Fake WhatsApp messages are increasingly found in proceedings, whereas OFW’s system is tamper-proof, GDPR-compliant, and developed with safeguarding and integrity in mind.

Although OFW is a paid service, a fee waiver system is available for those who need financial assistance, ensuring the platform remains accessible.

In this podcast, Family Law Partner Natasha Slabas discusses drug and alcohol testing in family law with guests James Nutt, Operations Manager for Cansford Laboratories, and Lauren Blythe, Senior Associate in the Family Team. 

In family law proceedings, concerns about alcohol misuse by a parent or guardian can significantly impact decisions regarding where a child shall live and the time they spend with each parent. To address these concerns, courts often order alcohol testing to provide objective evidence of consumption patterns.

If a parent's alcohol use is suspected to compromise their ability to care for a child, or if there are allegations of excessive drinking, testing can help the court assess the level of risk and make informed decisions. It can also be used to:

• Assess chronic and excessive consumption: To determine if someone has been drinking heavily over a sustained period.
• Monitor abstinence or reduced consumption: For parents who are trying to demonstrate sobriety or a commitment to changing their drinking habits.
• Verify changed patterns of alcohol use: To track progress and ensure compliance with court orders.
• Rebuild trust: Consistent testing can help rebuild trust between parents, authorities, and child welfare professionals.

James details the various tests available in the UK and explains what they each offer. He sets out that these tests offer different detection windows and type of information. Examples of the types of tests are: Hair Strand Testing, Blood Alcohol Testing, Nail Testing, Breath Alcohol Testing and SCRAM Continuous Alcohol Monitoring by way of an Ankle Bracelet

Natasha and Lauren go on to provide some insight regarding the impact of drug and alcohol testing in Court proceedings. Including: 

• Court Orders: Alcohol testing is typically ordered by the court, especially when concerns about substance abuse are raised.
• Consent and Refusal: While a parent cannot be physically forced to provide a sample, refusing to comply with a court-ordered test can lead to the judge drawing negative inferences, effectively assuming the allegations of alcohol abuse are true. Similarly, attempting to interfere with test results (e.g., by cutting hair very short) can also lead to negative inferences.
• Interpretation of Results: Test results are analysed by experts and presented in a report. These reports consider various factors, including declared medications or external influences on hair, to provide a comprehensive interpretation. It's important to note that a positive test result doesn't automatically mean a parent loses custody; the results are part of a broader assessment alongside all other evidence in the case.
• Costs: The cost of testing can be borne by the tested party or shared between parties, with courts often ordering shared costs due to the impact on the child's contact arrangements. Legal aid may be available in some local authority cases.

Alcohol testing serves as a crucial tool in family law, providing objective evidence to help courts make decisions that prioritise the best interests and safety of children. Understanding the different types of tests, their capabilities, and the legal implications is vital for anyone involved in such proceedings.

The podcast discusses the abolition of the Remittance Basis for UK Resident Non-Domiciled individuals and explains the new Four Year Foreign Income and Gains regime, after which worldwide income and gains become subject to UK tax. It also considers the new basis for inheritance tax which has changed from a domicile basis to tax to a Long-Term Residence Test, capturing worldwide assets and offshore trust assets within the UK inheritance tax net.  

Also discussed are the changes to Agricultural Relief and Business Property Relief which Caps the combined relief at one million per individual and discuses how this may affect the faring families including future intergenerational gifts.

There is reference to the interplay between the changes and likely impact this will have on international UHNW/HNW families and on factors to consider before April 2025. These include whether to pull the trigger on divorce beforehand in England while there is jurisdiction to do so, and where this may otherwise be lost if not done, and of how to consider any relocation of children because of the split within families who may want to retain educational placements for minors while avoiding the rise in taxes.

Hosted by Family Partner Natasha Slabas and Ingrid McCleave Partner in Private Client and Tax joining as a speaker, to share her insights on the consequences for UK resident Non-Domiciled individuals of the budget changes to the Non Dom rules and the changes to Business Property Relief and Agricultural Property Relief.

In this episode, Natasha Slabas, Family Partner at DMH Stallard, is joined by guest speakers Ingrid McCleave, Partner in Private Client at DMH Stallard, Danielle Ford, Partner and Head of Tax Disputes, and Katharine Arthur, Partner and Head of Private Client from accountancy firm Haysmacintyre, to discuss the protection of assets pre-marriage and the key considerations for wealth planning for the future.

In this episode, Natasha Slabas, Family Partner at DMH Stallard, is joined by guest speakers Danielle Ford, Partner and Head of Tax Disputes, and Kay Mind, Director (Tax), Private Client & Trusts from accountancy firm Haysmacintyre, to discuss the impact of the new legislation that came into effect on 6 April 2023, to make Capital Gains Tax (CGT) fairer for separating couples.

Natasha can be contacted via Instagram: @natashathefamilylawyer or via email: [email protected]