In this second episode of our new podcast series, our experts are back on the couch with advice on how to embrace life after divorce. This time, they’re tackling one of the greatest concerns for anyone going through a separation: finances.

It’s a subject that raises so many questions: what if your former partner isn’t being truthful about their finances? How do you make sure children are secure? But there’s a number of options to help you find an arrangement that works for your family, and appreciate the opportunities that come with your new financial freedom.

Host Zahra Pabani is joined by family law partner Fran Hipperson; Irwin Mitchell’s Head of Family Law, Clare Wiseman; and Head of Chambers at 29 Bedford Row, Nicholas Allen KC. They discuss:

• The options available to help you reach a settlement
• What to do if further issues arise once an agreement has been reached
• The benefits of using a lawyer to settle your finances, and how they can support you through the process
• What the court process looks like, and why people may choose to use this route.

One of the toughest realisations that comes with a divorce is that you’re not going to be able to see your children every day. New routines can be challenging, but co-operation and communication can make the adjustment much easier for your family, creating a long-term foundation of trust and security.

Host Zahra Pabani is joined by family law partner and mediator Phillip Rhodes; former leading BBC journalist and now family mediator Joanna Gosling; and finally, coach and founder of The Co-Parent Way Marcie Shaoul. They discuss:

• The key elements of a successful co-parenting plan
• How to navigate differences in parenting style
• Ensuring children feel loved and secure during a divorce
• The support available to help parents reach an agreement.

Paralympic-gold-medallist, Hannah Cockroft, hosts the first video edition of the Irwin Mitchell podcast. She’s joined by gold-medal-sprinter, James Ellington, and aspiring para-athletes, our clients, Ben Lukowski and Richard Davies.

The athletes share their passion for sport and the role it’s played in their lives. Wanting to encourage listeners at the beginning of their own sporting journeys, and those facing similar challenges, they discuss:

• Their journeys from aspiring to professional athletes and the milestones they’ve achieved along the way.
• The different places they’ve found support and what it means to them.
• The mental and physical benefits of sport, particularly for those with disabilities.
• Their ambitions as they look forward to the next steps in their careers.

Plus, find out what advice each athlete would give to someone exploring the opportunities in sport for the first time.

Have you got a plan in place for your pension? Are you confident it will look after you and your family once you finish working?

In this podcast, Zahra Pabani is joined by partners Rose Macfarlane and Phillip Rhodes, and Edward Tomlinson, Head of Financial Planning at Irwin Mitchell. They explain the different options available for your pension and share their best tips for maximising your cash for the future.

They discuss:

• How to plan realistically while the economy remains uncertain
• How to deal with pensions in the event of a divorce
• Why it’s important to consider your pension as part of your estate planning
• The new government’s approach to pensions, and how you can respond to it
• Why legal advice is so important when it comes to planning for your pension.

Finding the best education setting to meet your child’s needs can make a big difference to their future outcomes. But what happens when your child has special educational needs, and you don’t agree with the local authority about where they should go to school?

Our public law and human rights specialist, Lauren Haines, is joined by our client Craig Dunn in our latest podcast. Craig is a single parent and full-time carer to his 18-year-old daughter Ruby, who has complex learning needs and relies on support to keep her safe and assist with her personal care.

Craig shares his lived experience of Ruby’s transition into a residential education setting for the first time, as they discuss:

• The need for legal support and how we helped him secure the right provision for Ruby.
• Ruby’s transition to post-19 residential provision.
• Tips and advice for others in a similar position, and/or starting their own journey.

Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Captivate.FM.

Further information and resources are available on our website.

Whether you’ve moved into a leadership role or to a completely different industry, career changes can be challenging and rewarding at the same time.

In our latest podcast, partner Zahra Pabani is joined by recently retired High Court Judge Sir Nicholas Francis; Lesley Spencer, Business and Executive coach; and our newly appointed Head of Family Law, Clare Wiseman. They share their stories of career progression and provide top tips on how you can manage your next steps.

They discuss:

• How to develop the skills needed to reach the next level of your career
• How the conversation around work/life balance has developed in recent years
• The challenges of leadership and how to manage them
• Where to find motivation and inspiration for your career.

The recent general election saw a landslide victory for the Labour Party – and with it, a whole raft of reforms to planning policy. The new chancellor, Rachel Reeves, wasted no time in introducing Labour’s plans for the next couple of months. But how quickly can they be achieved?

Head of the Planning and Environment Claire Petricca-Riding is joined by partner Nicola Gooch and Thea Osmund-Smith, Deputy Head of Planning and Environment at No. 5 Barrister’s Chambers. They discuss:

• The timeline for bills progressing through the House of Lords
• The main challenges the new government faces while implementing these policies
• How the government can win over the local communities their plans will affect
• The changes business owners should prepare for
• The future of the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act.

To mark Armed Forces Day, our military injury partner and former Army Lawyer, Andrew Buckham, hosted a special edition of the Irwin Mitchell Podcast.

We were pleased to welcome a panel of specialists, including James Cameron of Mission Motorsport, Rob Kelly from Bootnecks in2 Business, and Tony Radford of The Royal Marines Charity.

They shared insights and advice on the challenges faced by veterans and the 14,000 service members* who leave the Armed Forces each year, covering:

• The issues people face when transitioning to civilian life, and the impact on their families

• The availability of support networks

• Veteran strengths as employees

• Retention of veteran employees and workplace education.

Drawing on their personal experiences, they shared touching stories and humorous anecdotes.

If you need expert legal and financial advice after an injury sustained in the Armed Forces, our team is here to help.

Further support and resources for serving personnel and veterans are available at Mission Motorsport, Bootnecks in2 Business, and The Royal Marines Charity.

*Career Transition Partnership website referenced at 5:52 by Andrew Buckham.