Farming Divorce Solicitors in the East Midlands
Getting divorced is often a fraught and emotional time. If you also run a farm, it can make the divorce proceedings even more stressful.
For many families, farming is their livelihood and is not a job but a way of life. Often a farm will have been in the family for many generations.
You might worry that upon getting a divorce you will have to break up your farm. Or you will have to sell the business and land.
Contact the Family Law teamIf your spouse owns the farm, you might worry that if you divorce, you will lose your house and source of income.
Whether you;
- Are getting divorced yourself, or
- You have passed your farm to an adult child who is getting divorced
And you’re worried about how it will affect your business, our Family Law team are here to help.
On this page:
What steps do I need to take to get a farming divorce?
How can I preserve my family wealth and protect my farming assets during divorce?
Will I have to sell my farm as part of the divorce settlement?
What will happen to my farm if a member of my family divorces?
Do I have to use a solicitor for a farming divorce?
How do I get a farming divorce?
First, it is important to gather all information relating to the farm.
This includes mortgages, valuations and who owns what. Doing this now will save time and help avoid disputes down the line.
Both parties should also fully disclose;
- All financial assets
- Income and liabilities including bank accounts, business accounts,
- Valuations of the farming land, business and evidence in relation to income stream
Next, you need advice from a divorce solicitor experienced in dealing with farming and agricultural divorce.
This is a complex area. By getting advice early, you can ensure;
- You preserve your farm
- Continue to operate and generate income, as well as
- Keep it to pass on to future generations.
How can I preserve my family wealth and protect my farming assets during divorce?
It’s crucial to put a plan in place in advance, which considers;
- Your family’s circumstances, and
- The specifics of your farming business
This could be in the form of a pre-nuptial agreement, if you are not yet married. If you’re already married, a post-nuptial agreement will set out how you’ll divide current and future assets if you do divorce.
Partnership agreements are also often used by farming businesses. They can state in writing which assets are owned by individuals and which are owned by the partnership.
You might also consider a family, or discretionary trust. This can protect your family assets as well as minimise tax by dividing farm income.
Will I have to sell my farm as part of the divorce settlement?
It’s unlikely that the court would order you to sell the farm as part of the divorce settlement. This is because it would take away your home as well as your source of income.
If other family members own or live on the farm, then it’s sale would also have a significant impact on them.
In some cases, land can be transferred between spouses as part of the divorce settlement. Or, other distributable assets will be considered to avoid selling part of or all the farm.
What will happen to my farm if a family member divorces?
If you have provided;
- Financial support, or
- Housing
to an adult child during their marriage and they get divorced, the Court will consider this when deciding upon settlement.
So it’s crucial to consider the implications of supporting family during their marriage. Especially where you have built up your wealth through a farming business.
Do I have to use a solicitor for a farming divorce?
You could apply for the divorce yourself. However, sorting out financial matters resulting from the divorce will need specialist advice.
Farming divorces can be especially complex as the business may have been inherited by one party prior to the marriage. Also, farms are often owned by many family members. As such, their interests and rights also need to be considered. It is important to record any agreement by way of a binding court order.
Additionally, if you own the farm you may want to keep it after the divorce because it generates an income. You might also wish to leave it to future generations.
If:
- Any trusts or gifts have been made, or
- There are contractual arrangements or farming tenancies
This can add further challenges.
Do I need to go to court?
In most cases, you do not need to go to court for a farming divorce. Unless of course, you are unable to reach an amicable resolution.
Alternative dispute resolution (ADR) is another option that can help couples reach a quick and amicable agreement. This could be in the form of mediation, collaboration or arbitration.
How are farming divorces dealt with by the court?
The court usually starts by looking at a 50-50 split, depending on the length of the marriage.
The court will also consider whether an equal division of assets is the fairest option. When doing this they will consider a range of factors, including:
- The needs of any children from the marriage
- The income/earning capacity of both parties
- The financial resources of both parties
- The financial needs of each spouse
- The contribution each party has made or will make towards the welfare of the family
- Any physical or mental disabilities of either of the parties
- How best to preserve the farm as a source of income
- The viability of passing the business on to future generations
- Whether the farm is a marital or non-marital asset
Why choose Rothera Bray for a farming divorce?
We will discuss your case with you in detail. This includes visiting the farm to understand:
- How it operates, and
- What family members are involved in its running
We can work with our Corporate and Commercial team to give advice about the structure of your farm, whether it’s a partnership, family trust or limited liability company. We’ll advise you on how you can protect your corporate assets in a family-owned business.
We can liaise with our Wills and Probate team on inheritance and succession planning as well as trust arrangements. In event of a separation or divorce, our dedicated child law team can help with all types of children matters.
We can also advise on pre-nuptial and post-nuptial agreements. This will set out arrangements for how your farm and assets will be divided if you should divorce in the future.
We can advise on cohabitation agreements if you are in a new relationship and are both making financial or practical contributions to the business
We have a network of professionals including accountants and financial advisers we can put you in touch with to advise you on tax and financial ramifications.
Send us a message

“No two divorces are the same, but we can help you navigate your farming divorce with sensitivity and compassion.”
Rebecca Emeleus
Head of Family Law
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Posted 7 October 2025
I have received amazing support and service from Emily at Rother Bray. She has been brilliant throughout and has always answered any questions that I have and nothing has been too much trouble for her. Would highly recommend.
Hannah
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Posted 28 September 2025
Sarah Gill gave me great, clear, concise advice on a complicated matter.
Mr Palmer
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Posted 26 September 2025
I had an excellent experience with Rothera Bray Family Solicitors. From the outset, they truly listened and showed real empathy, which immediately gave me confidence that I was in safe hands. Their legal counsel was clear, practical and reassuring, and every query I raised was handled with genuine care and diligence. In particular, I would like to commend Emily Sherwood, who was instrumental in guiding me through the process. She provided structured and thoughtful advice that was easy to follow, which helped to significantly reduce the stress and anxiety these matters so often bring. I am deeply grateful for the support I received and would not hesitate to recommend Rothera Bray to anyone in need of professional, compassionate and reliable legal advice.
Peter
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Posted 25 September 2025
Absolutely excellent service! David Berridge was straight forward and very to the point, kept me in the loop throughout my case and handled it well with sound and logical advice. He was also conscious of the cost and always gave me options with explanation to each process as well as the possible cost it could incur. David acted in a timely manner, communicated well and was efficient in dealing with my divorce case. My parents as well as other family members have also utilised the services of Rothera Bray solicitors and they have always been professional, prompt and courteous when handling any of our cases.
Mayur N
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Posted 23 September 2025
I changed from a previous representative to Rothera Bray to handle a very messy and complicated case at almost the final stages. Gabriella and Hannah were amazing, they communicated with efficiency and empathy while remaining completely focused. The case was closed very shortly after Gabriella and Hannah worked there exceptional skills. Selecting an amazing advocate for court counsel I offer my highest recommendation for the this firm.
D.K.
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Posted 11 September 2025
David Berridge is the best solicitor in my experience. I had a very positive experience ,very professional and approachable and always explained things clearly. He kept me informed throughout the process. I would always recommend David Berridge if anyone needs legal support.
Vandana
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Posted 5 September 2025
David Berridge and Gita Patel have provided me with exceptional service over the past few years which I am very thankful for. It has taken a long time to resolve my issue, through no fault of ours, and with David’s experience and professionalism, his guidance and support, things were eventually worked out. Whenever David was on leave Gita was always there so that everything was ready for his return for our case to continue. Thank you to both of you. I will definitely recommend your services should someone I know require them.
GC
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Posted 2 September 2025
Previous solicitor messed up my case, so I changed my solicitors and got Rothera Bray to represent me. They looked out for me and actually listened to what I want out of this case, it ended in a positive outcome for myself and especially my boys. I can't thank them enough. Definitely would recommend them.
Umme
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Posted 26 August 2025
I went to Rothera Bray solicitors as they accepted Legal Aid, and I needed help with a non-molestation order. I also wanted to apply for a Child Arrangements Order. What started as a simple application soon changed due to the other party’s actions and behaviour. They helped and advised me every step of the way. I was never ignored and always felt like a valued client, even though I was a legal aid client, and I know that isn’t always the case with other firms. They applied for my legal aid on my behalf, which took the strain away from me. My case ran on for 17 months in total, and I was always treated by Skyler and Ann-Marie with importance and respect consistently. My case ended with me having all protective orders and a lives with order until my child is 16. I highly recommend using Rothera Bray, especially if it involves Domestic Abuse. The care and attention you require in those difficult circumstances is exactly what you need. I would go back to them if it were ever needed.
Private Children Law and Non-Molestation Orders client
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Posted 20 August 2025
Truly Outstanding Family Law Representation. I can’t thank Rothera Bray enough for their outstanding support during my family court case. They were not only incredibly knowledgeable about the process, but also showed real understanding and compassion throughout a very stressful time. Their advice was clear, practical, and always focused on what was best for my child. They handled every challenge with professionalism and confidence, which gave me peace of mind when I needed it most. If you’re looking for someone who truly knows family court inside and out, while also treating you like a person rather than just a case, I couldn’t recommend Gabriella Kent and Hannah Lilley highly enough.
CG
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Posted 18 August 2025
Emily Sherwood is a professional, supportive, informative solicitor who has put me at so much ease with discussing matters and ways to approach matters at hand. Her realistic approach has given me confidence in the legal knowledge she’s sharing with me.
R Rankin
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Posted 5 August 2025
I’m incredibly grateful for the support and guidance I’ve received from Gabriella throughout the child arrangement proceedings. She approaches every aspect of the case with exceptional care, attention to detail, and genuine empathy. From the very beginning, she took the time to truly understand the unique complexities of my situation and the needs of my children. Her ability to balance legal precision with emotional sensitivity has been invaluable during such a difficult and personal process. What stands out most is how thoroughly she prepares — always referencing relevant case law, anticipating potential challenges, and providing clear, strategic advice tailored to my circumstances. I’ve never felt like just another client; she treats the case with the seriousness and dedication it deserves, and I feel fully supported and heard every step of the way. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend her to anyone navigating the family court system.
AH

Ann-Marie Bowman
Partner, Chairwoman & Head of Care
Ann-Marie Bowman is Partner and Chairwoman of East Midlands-based law firm Rothera Bray Solicitors. Working from our Nottingham and Derby offices, Ann-Marie remains highly committed to her fee-earning work in Family law, dealing with all aspects of children law.

Rebecca Emeleus
Partner & Head of Family
Rebecca is a Partner in the family law team and is based at our Kayes walk, Nottingham office.

David Berridge
Partner
David has over 30 years’ experience practicing Family Law. He is one of the most experienced family solicitors in Leicestershire and deals with a wide variety of matters.

Sarah Gill
Partner
Sarah is an experienced matrimonial and family law solicitor, dealing with children matters including child care, financial issues following separation of married couples and divorce. She undertakes court work in Leicestershire, Northamptonshire & Warwickshire. She is based at our Market Harborough office.

Joanne Millward
Partner
Joanne Millward has over 30 years’ experience dealing in all areas of Family Law in our Nottingham Lace Market, Derby, Beeston and Mapperley offices.

Emma Adcock
Senior Associate Solicitor
Emma Adcock is a Solicitor with over 20 years’ experience across a wide range of family law matters arising from relationship breakdown. Working from our West Bridgford office in Nottingham, she has significant experience in divorce and the accompanying financial settlements.

Charley Kelly
Associate Solicitor
Charley is an experienced Family Associate Solicitor who specialises in all areas of Family law. She acts for clients on a wide range of family issues including divorce, financial remedy and children matters. She is based at our Leicester office.

Emily Sherwood
Associate Solicitor
Emily Sherwood is an Associate Solicitor in Rothera Bray’s Family and Child Care department and is based at our Lace Market Nottingham and Derby offices.

Gurpreet Singh
Associate
Gurpreet Singh is an Associate in Rothera Bray’s Child Care department and is based at our Derby office.

Rebecca Hudson
Solicitor
Rebecca is a Solicitor in Rothera Bray’s Family Law department and specialises in divorce and matrimonial work. She is based at our Lace Market office.

Gabriella Kent
Solicitor
Gabriella Kent is a Solicitor in Rothera Bray’s Family and Child Care department and is based at our Nottingham Lace Market office.

Christopher Monro
Senior Solicitor
Chris is an experienced solicitor dealing with most areas of Family and Matrimonial Law and is based at our Market Harborough office.

Ewan Paton
Solicitor
Ewan is a Solicitor in the Family Law department and is based at our West Bridgford office.

Katie Murden
Trainee Solicitor
Katie is a Trainee Solicitor in our Family Law department and is based at our Derby and Beeston offices.

Cindy Dodd
Managing Paralegal
Cindy Dodd is a Managing Paralegal in Rothera Bray’s Divorce and Family Law team and is based at our Lace Market office in Nottingham city centre.

Gita Patel
Senior Legal Secretary
Gita Patel is a Senior Legal Secretary in the Family Law department at Rothera Bray and is based at our Leicester office.

Lorraine Lloyd
Paralegal
Lorraine is a Paralegal in the Divorce and Family Law department based at our Market Harborough office.

Tracey Cosgrove
Legal Secretary
Tracey is a legal secretary in the Family department based at our Leicester office.

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