🎙️ New Podcast Episode | Separation vs Divorce in Australia

This week, we unpack a topic that is often misunderstood and can have serious legal consequences:
Separation vs divorce in Australia — what’s the difference, and why does it matter?

While these terms are commonly used interchangeably, they mean very different things under Australian family law. Misunderstanding the distinction can impact your finances, parenting arrangements, legal rights, and future decisions.

In this episode, Dannielle breaks down:
• What separation really means (and why it doesn’t require paperwork)
• How separation can occur even while living under the same roof
• Why the separation date is legally significant
• What divorce does and what it does not cover
• Australia’s no-fault divorce system
• The requirement of 12 months and one day of separation
• Common misconceptions about property settlements and parenting
• Critical legal time limits for married and de facto relationships
• Why rushing a divorce isn’t always necessary
• The importance of early legal advice and mediation

You’ll learn why separation marks the end of a relationship, while divorce is simply the formal legal end of a marriage and why waiting until divorce to address property or parenting matters can sometimes put you at risk.

Whether you’re separated, considering divorce, in a de facto relationship, or simply seeking clarity, this episode provides clear, practical legal information without the jargon.

🎧🎥 Listen now and stay informed.

#FamilyLawAustralia #SeparationVsDivorce #AustralianDivorce #FamilyLawPodcast #LegalEducation #ParentingAfterSeparation #PropertySettlement #DeFactoRelationships #NoFaultDivorce #DannielleYoung

Do de facto couples have the same legal rights as married couples in Australia?

It’s one of the most common questions people ask when separating — and one of the biggest myths in family law.

In this episode of The Divorce Collective Podcast, Dannielle Young explains:

• What legally defines a de facto relationship

• Whether de facto couples can access property settlement, superannuation splitting, and spousal maintenance

• The key requirements that must be met

• Why parenting and children’s matters are treated the same regardless of relationship status

• The crucial 2-year time limit de facto couples must know after separation

If you’re in or leaving a de facto relationship, this episode will help you understand your rights and avoid costly mistakes.

🎙 Listen to the full episode now on Buzzsprout

#DivorceCollectivePodcast

#Buzzsprout

#NewEpisode

#FamilyLawAustralia

#DeFactoCouples

#PropertySettlement

#SpousalMaintenance

#ParentingArrangements

When families go through separation or major change, children often feel it long before they can express it. Their emotions show up in behaviours not sentences  and for many parents, this can be confusing, overwhelming, or even heartbreaking.

In this episode, Dannielle Young, breaks down the emotional realities children face during parental separation and offers supportive, practical guidance for families navigating this transition.

Dannielle shares real examples from her work with families, discussing how different age groups respond to change and what signs of separation anxiety may look like at each childhood stage. From toddlers suddenly becoming clingy, to primary-aged children experiencing physical symptoms like headaches or tummy aches, to teens withdrawing or feeling pressured to take sides — these behaviours have meaning.

💛 In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How separation anxiety can vary based on age and developmental stage
• The common emotional and behavioural signs parents should be aware of
• Why children absorb the emotional atmosphere between parents, even when nothing is said
• How predictable routines help rebuild feelings of safety and consistency
• Age-appropriate ways to talk to children about changes in the family structure
• Simple rituals that make transitions between homes calmer and more secure
• How to model healthy emotional regulation (even when you’re struggling too)
• When it's time to seek external support such as counselling, support groups, or school wellbeing teams
• How mediation and a clear parenting plan can reduce stress and provide stability for children

This episode is here to remind parents that children don’t need perfection — they need presence, reassurance, and stability. Dannielle offers compassionate, practical tools to help you navigate this chapter with confidence and care.

If you’re currently going through separation or adjusting to co-parenting life, this conversation offers guidance, understanding, and hope.

💬 If this episode supported you, please follow, share, or leave a review to help more families access resources during difficult transitions.

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