Rural

The area of agricultural divorce raises unique issues compared to those divorces with a non-farming element and the Family law team at Stephens Scown has a wealth of experience in dealing with them.

The work we undertake covers the most basic farming structures right through to complicated farm partnership and company arrangements. We recognise the importance to farming clients of retaining a viable farming unit and are able to assist them in working through the complicated arrangements that will need to be put in place following any separation to allow that to happen.

We understand the importance to some clients of retaining farming assets or inherited partnership capital within the family and are able to provide constructive advice that is invaluable to clients looking either to achieve or oppose this outcome.

We regularly encounter complex family arrangements involving children or other relatives and provide practical advice to them on protecting assets exposed through divorce proceedings.

At the outset of relationships, the preparation of documents such as letters of wishes or declarations of trust dealing with the ownership of agricultural property or business interests can be crucial, and we frequently assist our rural clients in dealing with this. We are also experienced at preparing prenuptial agreements dealing with both basic and complicated asset structures. This can provide couples with clarity as to how assets or business interests will be held during any marriage, and be of persuasive value in the event of marital breakdown.

We frequently liaise with farming agents, agricultural bank managers and have very good relationships with farming networks and associations through the work we undertake. As well as receiving plaudits from satisfied farming clients, our nationally recognised team is also regularly singled out for praise in this area of work by independent guides to the legal profession such as Legal 500 and Chambers.