In this episode, Dannielle Young, Head of Family Law at Collective Family Law Group and Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner at Danielle Young Mediations, discusses the importance of effective co-parenting communication following separation.

Separation and divorce can be highly challenging, particularly when children are involved. The way parents communicate during and after separation plays a significant role in shaping their children’s sense of security, emotional development, and future approach to relationships. This episode focuses on adopting a child-centred mindset, reframing the co-parenting relationship as a shared management role, and maintaining respectful and practical communication.

Key discussion points include:
•Why communication impacts long-term outcomes for children
•Shifting from former partners to co-managers of your children’s wellbeing
•The value of a child-centred approach in decision-making
•Maintaining professionalism and separating emotional processing from parenting discussions
•The 24-hour pause rule for managing heightened or emotional moments

This episode provides practical guidance for separated parents aiming to reduce conflict, strengthen co-operation, and support their children’s stability and resilience during the post-separation transition.

In this episode, we explore the new Leaving Violence Program, a permanent, federally funded initiative supporting people leaving violent intimate partner relationships.

We discuss what the program is, the types of support it offers including up to $5,000 in financial assistance and how it helps with safety planning, housing, legal aid, and counselling. The episode also covers eligibility requirements, how to access the program through Telstra Health, and the regional First Nations-led trials in Broome, Cairns, Darwin, and Dubbo.

If you or someone you know is experiencing intimate partner violence, this episode explains how the Leaving Violence Program can provide both practical and emotional support during one of life’s most difficult transitions.

#LeavingViolenceProgram #DomesticViolenceSupport #IntimatePartnerViolence #SafetyPlanning #AustralianGovernment #SupportServices

👉 For more insights on family law, separation, and support, follow The Divorce Collective Podcast or visit Collective Family Law Group at www.collectivefamilylaw.com.au

In this episode of The Divorce Collective Podcast, Dannielle Young, Family Lawyer at Collective Family Law Group, unpacks one of the biggest shifts in family law — how courts now handle add-backs in property settlements. ⚖

If you’ve heard the term “add-backs” before or are currently dividing assets after separation, this episode is a must-listen. Danielle explains how the recent Shinnehara & Shinnehara case has changed the approach — the courts no longer pretend spent money still exists. Instead, they focus on what’s really left in the property pool today and assess fairness based on how and why funds were used.

Tune in to understand what this means for your property settlement, why timing matters, and how to move forward wisely after separation.

#TheDivorceCollectivePodcast #CollectiveFamilyLawGroup #FamilyLaw #PropertySettlement #AddBacks #DivorceLaw #DanielleYoung #SeparationAdvice #AustralianFamilyLaw

In this episode of The Divorce Collective Podcast, Dannielle Young, Head of Family Law at Collective Family Law Group and Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner at Danielle Young Mediations, talks about one of the most common questions she gets from blended families: Do step-parents have legal rights when it comes to the children they’ve helped raise? 👨‍👩‍👧

Danielle breaks down what the Family Law Act says about who counts as a step-parent, what rights they do and don’t have, and the steps you can take to stay involved in a child’s life after a separation. She explains how parenting orders work, when you can apply for one, and how the court decides what’s in the best interests of the child.

The episode also touches on financial responsibilities, child support, and the process of gaining full parental rights or adoption. It’s a clear and practical guide for anyone navigating the challenges of blended family life.

If you’re a step-parent who’s unsure about your legal standing, or you know someone going through a similar situation, this episode will help you understand your options and how to protect the bond you’ve built. ❤

Tune in to learn more about step-parent rights under Australian family law and how to make decisions that truly work for your family.

#TheDivorceCollectivePodcast #FamilyLawAustralia

In this episode, Danielle Young, Head of Family Law at Collective Family Law Group and Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner, breaks down the recent legal shift around ad backs in property settlements.

If you’re navigating separation or divorce, understanding how the courts now handle money that’s already been spent is crucial. She explains what ad backs are, how the approach to them has changed, and what it means for your property pool moving forward. Discover why it’s more important than ever to act quickly in property settlements and learn how courts now focus on fairness, not past spending.

#FamilyLaw #DivorceSupport #PropertySettlement #SeparationAdvice #CollectiveFamilyLaw #DanielleYoungMediations #AdBacks #DivorcePodcast

In this episode of The Divorce Collective Podcast, Danielle Young—Head of Family Law at Collective Family Law Group and Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner at Danielle Young Mediations—unpacks one of the most common questions she hears: Do step-parents have rights when it comes to children they’ve helped raise?

We’ll cover who the law recognises as a step-parent under the Family Law Act 1975, whether step-parents automatically get parental rights, and what options are available if you want to maintain a meaningful relationship with your step-children after separation. If you’ve played a big role in raising your partner’s children and you’re unsure what happens next, this episode is for you.

#DivorceCollectivePodcast #FamilyLawAustralia #StepParentRights #ParentingAfterSeparation #FamilyMediation #AustralianFamilyLaw 

In this episode, Danielle Young, Head of Family Law at Collective Family Law Group and Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner, speaks directly to anyone feeling emotionally overwhelmed by separation. She explores the storm of emotions that often come with it  sadness, anger, fear, guilt, and even relief and reminds listeners that every feeling is valid and part of the healing process.

Danielle shares the Drop Anchor technique for grounding yourself when emotions feel too much, practical steps for breaking things down into manageable actions, and ways to communicate calmly and respectfully when co-parenting or negotiating property.

She also explains how mediation provides a neutral, child-focused space to resolve conflict helping families reach lasting agreements, reduce stress, and model healthy communication for their children.

 Tune in to learn:

How to manage emotional overwhelm in separation
How to apply the Drop Anchor technique to stay grounded
Practical ways to communicate with kindness and set healthy boundaries
Why mediation leads to calmer, more lasting outcomes for families
#DivorceCollectivePodcast #FamilyLaw #Mediation #SeparationSupport #EmotionalWellbeing #CoParenting

Who keeps the pet after a breakup?

Under new changes to the Family Law Act, pets are finally being seen for what they are — loved family members.

In this episode of The Divorce Collective, Dannielle Young dives into what these legal changes mean, how courts are handling pet custody, and why mediation might be the key to avoiding a pet custody war.

In this episode of The Divorce Collective, host Dannielle Young follows her theme of stress and conflict management strategies to adopt during separation. She introduces the Dropping Anchor Technique, a mindfulness-based grounding exercise rooted in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). By exploring this technique, Dannielle helps individuals to stay calm and collected during the emotionally overwhelming moments of separation. This practical, three-step will call you to feel empowered in regaining control of your emotions and behaviours when confronted with challenges.

Key Points Discussed:

What is the Dropping Anchor Technique?

Like an anchor in stormy waters, this grounding exercise aims to help manage emotional storms during high-stress situations by preventing emotional drifts and impulsive reactions.

Separation can be an emotionally charged process, often leading to misunderstandings and conflict. In today’s episode of The Divorce Collective, Dannielle Young explores the BIFF Technique—Brief, Informative, Friendly, and Firm—a practical communication strategy to minimise conflict during separation. Whether you're navigating co-parenting, legal discussions, or personal exchanges, BIFF offers a structured approach to keep conversations calm and productive. 

Key Points Discussed

What is BIFF?

• Brief: Keep communication short, clear, and to the point.
• Informative