• You're feeling emotionally overloaded
  
  

• Everyone around you has an opinion and it's stressing you out
  
  

• You're being pushed to make decisions faster than you're ready for
  
  

• You're not sure what's a legal deadline vs. emotional urgency
  
  

• You're feeling pressure from all sides to get things sorted

• You are overwhelmed

📌 Legal Disclaimer & Trigger Warning: This episode is for general information only and is not legal advice. Please seek your own legal support for your specific circumstances. This discussion is based in Australia. Warning discussions for Family Violence occur in this episode.

Are you feeling completely overwhelmed by your separation or divorce? Like everything is urgent, everyone needs something from you

You are not alone and this episode is here to help.

In this conversation, Mum and I walk through 8 practical ways to calm the chaos, slow things down, and take back control of your divorce journey. We cover emotional overwhelm, confusing legal pressure, and the early survival strategies that can make all the difference.

Whether you're still in shock or already knee-deep in logistics, this episode is your gentle reminder that you don't have to do it all at once and you shouldn't.

⏱️ Episode Timeline: Divorce Overwhelm – 8 Ways to Stay Sane When Everything Feels Urgent

00:00 – Introduction: Overcoming Divorce Overwhelm
Why everything feels urgent—and how this episode can help you breathe again.

00:21 – Feeling Pressured to Make Fast Decisions During Divorce
How panic can lead to poor choices and what to do instead.

00:28 – 8 Practical Strategies to Regain Control in Separation
Overview of what you'll learn and how to use these tips right away.

00:51 – Welcome and What This Episode Covers
Who this episode is for and why this conversation matters.

01:08 – The Stress of Divorce Deadlines and Decision Fatigue
How urgency from lawyers, family, or your ex can overwhelm you.

03:17 – Legal vs. Emotional Deadlines: Know the Difference
Understanding what's truly urgent and what can wait.

06:50 – The Emotional Shock of a Breakup
Why you're not functioning "normally" and that's okay.

13:48 – Setting Boundaries with Family and Friends During Divorce
How to protect your peace from well-meaning (but draining) input.

19:48 – Prioritizing Safety, Shelter, and Stability First
Triage your needs: food, housing, money, transport before anything else.

23:34 – Recognizing and Responding to Financial Abuse
What financial control looks like—and how to get support.

24:09 – Why Self-Care Is Essential, Not Optional
Simple ways to take care of yourself when everything feels like too much.

28:10 – Making Space for Grief and Emotional Recovery
Letting yourself feel, cry, and heal without guilt.

30:41 – How Learning the Process Can Help You Feel Empowered
Education as a tool to reduce panic and increase confidence.

34:32 – Creating a New Divorce Routine That Works for You
Using structure and small steps to take back control of your life.

39:29 – Final Thoughts: You've Got This, One Step at a Time
Encouragement, next steps, and reminding you—you're not alone.

Resources

Central Practice Directions

https://www.fcfcoa.gov.au/fl/pd/fam-cpd

Free Disclosure Checklist

https://www.thedivorcecourse.com.au/disclosurechecklist

Episode Links

Boundaries in Divorce

https://youtu.be/5KSMYe6ctVE?si=KyJGKYneiBek41fe

🚨 Support Services:

• 1800 RESPECT (Family Violence Support – Australia)
  
  

• Lifeline: 13 11 14 (Crisis Support – Australia)

📌 Legal Disclaimer: This episode is for general information only and is not legal advice. Please seek your own legal support for your specific circumstances.

• You're in the middle of a separation and unsure what advice to follow
  
  

• Friends, family, or Facebook have told you "what to do"
  
  

• You've heard you can't leave the house without losing everything
  
  

• You feel pressured not to bring up domestic violence
  
  

• You're confused about disclosure, super splitting, or property rights

📌 Legal Disclaimer: This episode is for general information only and is not legal advice. Please seek your own legal support for your specific circumstances. This discussion is based in Australia. ALSO TRIGGER WARNING Discussions of Family Violence

Have you been told that if you leave the house, you lose everything? Or that you shouldn't mention domestic violence in family court? These are just a few examples of the harmful myths in Australia we hear all too often in separation and divorce.

In this episode, Laura & Lyn expose some of the worst legal advice circulating in family law and explain why it can derail your case, delay your outcome, or damage your safety and rights.

They break down five of the most common (and dangerous) misconceptions, share what the law really says, and help you feel more confident about asking the right questions of your lawyer and making informed decisions.

⏱️ Episode Timeline: Episode 221 Family Law Myths Don't Fall for These 5 During Separation

00:00 – Introduction: Debunking Common Family Law Myths
Why bad legal advice is everywhere—and how it can derail your case.

01:42 – The Real Impact of Misinformation in Separation and Divorce
What happens when you follow outdated or incorrect legal advice.

05:37 – Myth #1: "If You Leave the House, You Lose Your Property Rights"
Why leaving the family home doesn't mean forfeiting your share.

12:48 – Myth #2: "You Must Have Every Document Before You Can Settle"
The truth about financial disclosure and realistic expectations.

19:40 – Myth #3: "Don't Mention Domestic Violence in Court"
How this dangerous myth puts safety and outcomes at risk.

24:19 – Understanding Family Violence and Property Entitlements
How abuse can affect how assets are divided.

25:19 – Should You Mention Domestic Violence in Family Court?
Legal perspectives on disclosure and protection.

25:50 – Spousal Maintenance: Know When and How to Ask
Why it's often overlooked—and how to advocate for yourself.

26:43 – Myth Busting: Are Addbacks Still Used in Property Settlements?
Clarifying a misunderstood financial concept in family law.

28:57 – Myth #5: "Superannuation Must Be Split 50/50"
Exploring how super splitting really works under Australian law.

32:16 – How to Educate Yourself and Work Better with Your Lawyer
Tips for being informed, assertive, and legally empowered.

35:32 – Final Thoughts and How to Enrol in the Divorce Course
Practical next steps and how to get more support.

41:53 – Listener Reviews and Community Shoutouts
Sharing your feedback and how to get involved.

Resources

Central Practice Directions

https://www.fcfcoa.gov.au/fl/pd/fam-cpd

Free Disclosure Checklist

https://www.thedivorcecourse.com.au/disclosurechecklist

Episode Links

Superannuation and Equalising super https://youtu.be/2BQEHmIwjio?si=kWg9F8c8rh4X8HqB

🚨 Support Services:

• 1800 RESPECT (Family Violence Support – Australia)
  
  

• Lifeline: 13 11 14 (Crisis Support – Australia)

📌 Legal Disclaimer: This episode is for general information only and is not legal advice. Please seek your own legal support for your specific circumstances.

• You've been offered child inclusive mediation and don't know what to expect
  
  

• You're worried about how separation is affecting your child
  
  

• You're in a high-conflict co-parenting situation or dealing with coercive control
  
  

• You've been told that involving your child in mediation will "help"
  
  

• You want to make informed, child-centered decisions in your family law journey

📌 Legal Disclaimer: This episode is for general information only and is not legal advice. Please seek your own legal support for your specific circumstances. This discussion is based in Australia.

In this powerful episode, Mum and I dive into a topic that's being promoted more and more in family law: Child Inclusive Mediation. On the surface, it sounds like a child-focused solution. But is it really in the best interest of your child?

We break down what child inclusive mediation actually involves, why it's not always as neutral or helpful as it's made out to be, and the serious emotional and legal implications it can have especially in high-conflict separations or situations involving coercive control.

From personal reflections to legal insights, we share why we're concerned about this process and what you need to consider before agreeing to include your child in any mediation setting.

What You'll Learn

• What child inclusive mediation really means in practice
  
  

• The difference between therapeutic support vs. pressure on children to speak up
  
  

• When this process might backfire emotionally or legally
  
  

• Why family reports may be a safer and more protective alternative
  
  

• Red flags and questions to ask before you say yes
  
  

⏱️ Episode Timeline: Is Child Inclusive Mediation Helpful or Harmful?

00:00 – Introduction: What Is Child Inclusive Mediation?
An overview of this growing mediation trend in family law and why it's controversial.

01:29 – How the Mediation Process Works in Parenting Disputes
Understanding how mediation fits into separation and custody discussions.

03:44 – Defining Child Inclusive Mediation in Australian Family Law
Breaking down what actually happens when children are included in mediation.

05:52 – The Risks and Red Flags of Child Inclusive Mediation
Emotional pressure, manipulation, and when this process may do more harm than good.

08:00 – Confidentiality Issues and the Emotional Toll on Children
What children are told, how their information is used, and the psychological impact.

13:42 – The Problem with Over-Interviewing Children in Family Law
Why repeated interviews can traumatize kids and undermine the process.

20:00 – Real Concerns About Child Inclusive Mediation in Practice
Legal and ethical questions raised by lawyers, parents, and professionals.

21:07 – How Child Inclusive Mediation Affects Older Children
Teen-specific concerns, autonomy, and the danger of putting kids in the middle.

23:42 – Family Reports vs. Child Inclusive Mediation
A safer alternative? What to expect from a court-ordered family report.

24:41 – DIY Divorce Blueprint: Free Resource Mentioned
How to get practical tools to guide you through separation and co-parenting.

28:27 – Key Questions to Ask Before Agreeing to Child Inclusive Mediation
What to consider if this process has been suggested to you.

32:49 – Final Thoughts: Protecting Your Child's Voice and Mental Health
Wrapping up with a parent-first, child-protective perspective.

Resources

Central Practice Directions

https://www.fcfcoa.gov.au/fl/pd/fam-cpd

Free Disclosure Checklist

https://www.thedivorcecourse.com.au/disclosurechecklist

🚨 Support Services:

• 1800 RESPECT (Family Violence Support – Australia)
  
  

• Lifeline: 13 11 14 (Crisis Support – Australia)

📌 Legal Disclaimer: This episode is for general information only and is not legal advice. Please seek your own legal support for your specific circumstances.