I have lost count of the times a client, struggling with the emotional pain from the breakdown of a relationship, has asked me to ‘take ‘em to the cleaners’ We all know what the phrase means of … [Read more...]
No shame and no blame
When your relationship breaks down There’s no shame and there’s no blame either when parties separate. In an ideal world, a separating couple would recognise the relationship had nothing left and … [Read more...]
Suddenly Solo
Has starting the New Year led to being suddenly solo? The joy and cheer of the Festive Season sadly is often followed, as the New Year approaches, by relationship breakdown. Over my 25 years of … [Read more...]
Planning Your New Life after Separation
The very real pain of separation and the process of separating is difficult but from this ending will come a new beginning, the beginning of your new life after separation. You started your married … [Read more...]
Managing conflict following separation
The majority of couples find the most difficult thing to deal with on relationship break down is managing conflict following separation. It is almost inevitable, even in the most amicable of … [Read more...]
Father’s Day — it’s not just one day a year
Dads play an important role in their children’s lives and in the lives of the family as a whole, not just on Father’s Day but throughout their entire lives. Studies of Australian fathers confirm that … [Read more...]
The Family Court and Family Debt
Was it a loan or was it a gift? How does the Family Court treat debt owed to family members? It is not uncommon for family members, such as parents or other siblings to lend money to parties during … [Read more...]
Practical tips for the newly separated
With all the emotions swirling around being newly separated it can be hard to think beyond the immediate practicalities of living arrangements, child care arrangements and just keeping yourself … [Read more...]
What’s the deal with Gay Marriage in Australia?
Gay marriage in Australia is getting quite a bit of discussion, from reasoned to radical, compassionate and aggressive, fundamentalist Christian and outraged but mostly uninformed. I was struck by … [Read more...]
What adult children of divorce would like you to know
There are some things your adult children would like you to know about your separation from their other parent. When children are small up to late teens, parents are generally careful about what … [Read more...]
Christmas as a Separated Parent – Top Five Tips
The first Christmas as a separated parent can be difficult. Here are my five top tips to make it through the Christmas season with grace and charm to make the festive season truly festive for you and … [Read more...]
The impact of Social Media and your children
The impact of social media on children was the subject of discussion at the Biannual National Family Law Conference held in Melbourne recently, when I attended as a delegate. The statistics … [Read more...]