The Divorce Lawyer who doesn't want you to get divorced!
Sheela Mackintosh-Stewart
Divorce Lawyer | Relationship Coach | Author of How To Stay Together
I’m a divorce lawyer with a twist.
I help couples stay stronger together.
Sheela Mackintosh-Stewart
Divorce Lawyer | Relationship Coach | Author of How To Stay Together
Featured in
Divorce Lawyer & Relationship Champion
Divorce Lawyer. Relationship Coach. Author.
Former Barrister. Entrepreneur. Mum of Ally & Lissie.
I’ve had a ringside seat to hundreds of relationship break ups-secrets, struggles, regrets and lessons most never get to hear. Being both divorce lawyer and relationship coach also gives me an unusual perspective.
I’ve also lived through divorce, single motherhood, rebuilding, starting over and finding love again. So I understand your relationship struggles.
That's why I actively work to help you have better relationships and if that's not possible, help you to separate smarter.
30+ YEARS
IN FAMILY LAW
400
DIVORCES HANDLED
100
MARRIAGES
HELPED
8/10 SETTLED OUT OF COURT
I’ve spent 30+ years seeing the human, emotional and financial cost of relationship breakdown. I've experienced divorce myself too. Divorce is life changing and many are traumatised, less well-off because of it. and It deeply affects children too.
It’s why I’ve become passionate about getting to people earlier. Before the drift becomes distance. Before somebody says “I’m done.” Before divorce feels like the only answer.
Because if what I’ve learnt can help you look after a good relationship, repair a struggling one or make better decisions about what comes next, then those 30 years can do more than help people divorce.
They can help people avoid getting there in the first place. strong relationships doesn’t just make your life happier-it make you and your family stronger in life too.
My Unusual Mission
I want to help more of us love better, make smarter relationship choices, and create kinder happier futures-for ourselves, our partners and our children
And if sharing what I’ve learnt helps you avoid even some of the pain I’ve seen and experienced myself , that makes everything I do even more worthwhile.
HAPPIER PEOPLE. STRONGER FAMILIES. BRIGHTER TOMORROWS.
My Divorce Changed how I worked
I didn't just want to help people 'Divorce Smarter'.
I also wanted to help us get 'Relationship Smarter' too: build stronger, happier relationships and hopefully never need a divorce lawyer.
I founded iFamiliesUK to bring together my dual expertise as a divorce lawyer and relationship coach.
A divorce lawyer championing love? Why the hell not?
What I've learnt along the way
We are not taught how to have great relationships or how to be a good partner.
We learn on the job - and sometimes we get it wrong. I certainly did.
But we can learn. We can stop the drift.
And we can do relationships better.
Progress not perfection.
My Colourful Journey. My Bigger Mission
ROOTS
LONDON
CAREER
DIVORCE
MOTHERHOOD
REMARRIED
TODAY
My Roots
I was born in Singapore and raised in the Malaysian jungle, with wild animals for neighbours - so I learnt a thing or two about survival early on!
As the eldest of four in a big, close-knit Chinese-Indian family, I grew up believing that family was everything. It taught me early that life is richer when we look after each other. We’re better and stronger together.
Did I grow up dreaming of becoming a divorce lawyer? Not in a million years! But I was curious, loved solving problems and loved legal TV dramas, so a legal career beckoned!
London
At 18, I swapped the Malaysian jungle for London to study law and a whole new life chapter began. Talk about a culture shock!
Thankfully, Londoners were warm and welcoming. Miles from family, everything familiar and knowing absolutely nobody, I had to find my feet-fast!
It taught me something I carry with me.
Life rarely goes to plan, but we are tougher, more adaptable and resilient than we think.
We can start again, thrive and even surprise ourselves!
Legal Career
I trained as a barrister and was called to the Bar at The Middle Temple in London.
But I realised that being a barrister wasn’t quite my thing. I wanted more day-to-day contact with real paper, not just their paperwork. So I switched sides. I re-trained as a solicitor and joined a big City of London law firm as a litigator.
Impressive stuff but corporate battles wasn’t quite my thing either. People were.
That's how I found my way into family law. I became a divorce lawyer and partner at a London law firm. At last, I found my calling.
I then founded iFamilesuk. In my 30 years of legal practice, I've helped hundreds of people through some of the messiest, most painful divorces, often involving complex, high-stakes cases.
Marriage & Motherhood
Then along came my two daughters, Ally & Lissie and suddenly “juggling” work and life took on a whole new meaning.
Like most working mums, I was making it up as I went along and trying not to drop too many balls. Somehow, we survived.
They are grown up now and I couldn't be prouder of them as they blaze their own trails.
The funny thing? While I was busy raising them, they were quietly raising a stronger, wiser, more resilient me. Who knew!
Divorce
Yes, even a divorce lawyer can miss the signs.
Life got super busy. Stress piled up. Bad habits crept in. And despite spending my working life dealing with other people’s divorces, I didn’t see my own coming.
Going through it was tough-the future I had imagined was gone and I had to figure out how to start again. Throw in two very young daughters and single motherhood into the mix and, let’s just say, it was less 'Supermum', more 'Survival Mode' mum.
My biggest lesson? Don't get so busy doing life together but forget to look after each other.
The warning signs are too easy to miss. I learnt it the hard way.
Remarried
But I picked myself up, rebuilt my life, managed single motherhood and found love again. And yes, I remarried. Turns out, second time lucky isn't just a saying.
Divorce certainly wasn't the ending I planned. But as my 18 year old self discovered, even when life turns your world upside down, you can find your way through and come out smiling.
My message? Cherish the love you have. But if life throws curveballs, don't lose hope. Happiness can find you again.
Today: Divorce Lawyer & Relationship Coach
My divorce changed how I saw my work.
I realised something important. Divorce wasn't always the answer. Not every marriage needed to end.
Some marriages could have been saved.
So I decided to do things a little differently and focus on prevention. Ironically, I learnt more about how to keep relationships together from watching them fall apart.
So I decided to put these lessons to good use.
I started coaching to help people tackle problems before reaching breaking point.
I've since helped save 100 relationships.
That's how I became the 'divorce lawyer with a twist' -one with the mission to make divorce a last resort,
not default and keep you out of my office!
But, not every relationship an and should be saved.
If staying together is not right or safe, I help you
divorce smarter, with less conflict, delay and expense,
where possible.
"My previous solicitors were unresponsive to my queries, failed to give me clear answers or proper advice about my case. I desperately wanted an amicable settlement. Frustrated, I turned to Sheela for a second opinion.
She immediately gave me clarity, reassurance and a clear strategy forward. I was so Impressed that I switched solicitors. With Sheela's skills, my divorce was successfully settled within six months.
Everyone needs a Sheela on their team!”
L.I
“ Sheela’s relationship coaching was outstanding!
I was unhappy that my husband was pulling away, and we were bickering a lot.
Instead of having a go at each other, she showed us how to say what was really bothering us, actually listen and work things out together. It has really helped.
We are so grateful to her. ”
‐ S.O.
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