Ben and Heather welcome special guest and child psychologist Amy Sketcher to talk about divorce and children on the spectrum. Amy practises with Seasons Allied Health in Coffs Harbour, and has many years' experience in the non-government and education sector. She works with children as well as supporting and up-skilling parents and caregivers. Topics covered include:

•The psychological and emotional difficulties that all children can suffer as a result of divorce.

•The impact of divorce on children on the spectrum - how this may impact on behaviours.

•How to differentiate between behaviours triggered by the trauma of divorce and those associated with autism.

•What parents can do to make divorce and separation easier for children on the spectrum.

•Managing a situation where one parent is in denial about an autism diagnosis.

•How to know when psychological help is needed.

•How to choose the right psychologist for your child.

This month Ben and Heather talk about family lawyers: how to choose one that's right for you and how to make sure you get the best out of the lawyer you've chosen. Collectively they deal with a wide range of questions, including:

•What is an accredited family lawyer, and do I need one?

•Can I use the same lawyer or law firm as my ex-partner?

•Do I have to pay for an initial consultation?

•Should I shop around for a family lawyer?

•What should I be looking for in a family lawyer or law firm?

•How should I prepare for an initial meeting with a family lawyer?

•What should I expect from a family lawyer and when should I think about moving on?

This month Ben and Heather step you through how to manage your own divorce and identify when you may need to seek additional legal advice.

The questions and topics covered included:

•What is divorce (legally speaking)?

•Who is eligible to divorce in Australia?

•Choose a joint or sole application?

•When do separation legally start?

•Counselling requirements if married less than 2 years.

•What does the Court look for when approving your divorce?

•What if you want a divorce but can't find you ex?

•How best to serve divorce papers on your ex.

•Signing and finalising divorce paperwork.

•What to expect in Court?

•How soon after divorce can you remarry?

•Does divorce affect parenting or property arrangements?

•When is DIY divorce a bad idea?

•Is it a good idea to DIY property and parenting arrangements?

In this episode, Ben and Heather turned their attention to money, assets, debts and the importance of financial planning during and after divorce. They were joined by financial planner Brett Martin from Harbour Wealth Management. A certified financial planner for over 12 years, Brett has been helping clients on the Coffs Coast to manage their wealth since he became principal at Bridges Financial Services in Coffs Harbour in 2011. Recently Brett has moved from under the Bridges umbrella to establish his own practice, Harbour Wealth Management.

Brett's financial planning expertise combined well with Ben and Heather's specialist family law knowledge to answer these critical questions:

•How can couples avoid disagreements about money that may eventually lead to divorce or separation?

•How best to audit and value a shared asset pool?

•How to protect your credit rating through the separation process?

•How to stay within superannuation rules when splitting super after divorce?

•Are there advantages to keeping your super intact and using other assets to balance out property settlement?

•How to manage and divide a self managed superannuation fund through separation?

•What are the tax implication to be aware of when deciding how to divide the assets after separation?

URL: https://bryantmckinnon.com.au/family-matter/property-settlements/community-questions-take-5/

In this episode Benjamin and Heather switched up the format, with each asking the other increasingly challenging questions about property settlement. It opened up so really honest conversation about the difficulties involved with property settlement specifically and separation more generally.

These two family law experts dealt with the following questions:

•The biggest mistake people make when negotiating a property settlement.

•The number one tip to avoid going to court to finalise a property settlement.

•The toughest property settlement case Heather has dealt with in her long career.

•How lawyers help people figure out what to expect in a property settlement.

•Whether it's possible to reach a settlement out of court if the separation is hostile.

•Dealing with financial imbalance in property settlement

•The pros and cons of divorce....is the whole thing worth it?

Private investigators can play a pivotal role in serving documents and collecting evidence in complex family law cases. In this episode Benjamin Bryant and Heather McKinnon from Bryant McKinnon Lawyers talk to Steve Wallis, Managing Director of SWA Recovery & Investigation Group about how private investigators work and where they can add value in family law matters.

With over 40 years' experience in investigations, Steve shared insights into a PIs day to day life and busted some of the myths about his profession. We also covered specific questions regarding how and when private investigators are able to assist family law clients and solicitors. Topics covered include:

1. The value of using private investigators to "prove" adultery.

2. How private investigators can track down missing or hidden assets.

3. How private investigators assist in domestic violence and child abuse cases.

4. How private investigators track down missing persons, including ex-partners.

5. How and when private investigators get involved in serving court documents.

To conclude the show we asked Steve to provide his best advice to anyone considering hiring a private investigator. We recommend you have a listen before investing in a PI!

Most people who decided to separate have never initiated a relationship breakdown in their lives. The decision is scary and overwhelming. Yet these very early stages can set the course for how the whole process plays out and even affect long term family relationships for years to come.

Knowing how important the initial stages are, Ben and Heather have dedicated this episode to provide advice for anyone facing the awful thought that it might be time to end their relationship. Topics covered include:

•How and when to break the news to your partner

•How to prepare for that initial conversation if you are in a violent or difficult relationship

•What are the big-ticket things you need to think about to ensure as little disruption to your family as possible

•How to protect yourself financially in the early stages

•Do you need a lawyer and can you and your partner share one lawyer

•When to let the children know

And as a final bonus, Heather gives "advice to a friend" on what's most important when first facing up to separation or divorce. Given how many separations Heather has witnessed in over 40 years - her advice is well worth a listen!

Retired Federal Circuit Court Judge Judy Small is without question our most unique, and broadly qualified guest we have had on this program. Judy grew up right here in Coffs Harbour and went on to become a globe-trotting folk singer. She also had a lengthy career as a family lawyer, working for a decade with Victoria Legal Aid and then as a Federal Circuit Court Judge.

We were regaled with stories of Judy's upbringing on the Coffs Coast and her life as a singer and then "got serious" about family law and discussed the following issues:

1. Reforms to family law in the 1980s that changed the focus of the law, particularly relating to family violence

2. Judy's thoughts on reform still needed, particularly for Aboriginal and migrant communities.

3. Discretion for family law judges: liberating or frustrating.

4. Dealing with "he-said", "she-said" from the bench

5. Judy's advice to someone entering the family law system for the first time:

· Make sure you are safe.

· Understand that you are not alone.

· Have a lawyer that you trust, and who cares.

In this episode Ben and Heather talk with special guest Jean Clayton, CEO of Bridging the Gap Community Services which runs the Men's Resource Centre, about how men experience divorce and separation. The program explores how men may differ from women in their experience of divorce, the trauma of family separation and the impact on self-identity.