Your executor manages your estate after you pass away, so choose carefully. Many people choose a close family member, friend, or a professional such as an accountant or lawyer. Pick someone who is: Trustworthy - they are in charge of all your money. Organised - there is a lot of paperwork with lawyers, banks, accountants [...]

One of the most common mistakes I see is people make is they assume their property settlement is based on the assets they had *at the time they separated*. They assume that anything after that doesn't count. Heads up - it counts - and you need to disclose it. Your settlement is based on the [...]

Compromise means each person gives something up to reach a middle ground. Collaboration means working together to find a solution that meets both parties’ needs. In parenting or property negotiations, compromise can feel like splitting the difference. Collaboration focuses on problem-solving—looking at the bigger picture to create arrangements that work better for everyone, especially the [...]

For decades, Courts could consider family violence as a factor in property settlements. A person needed to show that their ability to contribute the relationship (such as doing day-to-day jobs) was severely impacted or that their future income capacity was reduced because of the physical or psychological impacts. They are hard cases to run. They [...]

When couples separate, what happens to their beloved fur-babies? In 2025, the Family Law Act changed and now allows pets to be part of an asset split. Pets are not "children" (I know, I know, controversial), so Parenting Orders cannot state who the pet will live with or set up a parenting timetable. But the [...]

The most common problem I see when people are giving evidence about their own case (or as a witness for someone else) is that they label behaviour rather than saying what actually happened. Make your statements specific about who said or did what. For example: - Stop saying "they were financially controlling." Start saying "they [...]

Get legal advice early. Not from your friend's neighbour who went through a long and bitter separation 10 years ago. From a Lawyer who has seen over 1000 separations. Getting advice does not mean you are 'putting the gloves on'. It means you can equip yourself with accurate knowledge about your rights, the process and [...]

Separation is hard. It can feel like you've lost yourself. You grieve the life you had planned and everything you worked so far for. The uncertainty is such a heavy burden. It might not feel like it at the time but it is a rare opportunity to rediscover yourself and what's important to you. Getting [...]

Mediation is an event you and your ex try to agree on your parenting arrangements or property split, guided by a trained professional. Here are a few pointers to get the most out of it: - Mediators cannot give legal advice. It's best to speak to a Lawyer before you go to mediation, so you [...]

Broadly speaking, people are allowed to spend their money for usual expenses after separation. Up until recently, if someone ‘wasted’ money in a reckless, negligent or wanton manner (such as gambling, substance addictions, large cash withdrawals and even legal fees), the Court could notionally ‘add back’ that money when valuing the asset pool in Step [...]