Affording a Family Lawyer Without Going Broke: Divorce Cost-Saving Tips
The Divorce Course Podcast
Listen to This Episode If You… 💸 Can’t afford a lawyer full-time but still need legal support 📑 Are drowning in legal letters or excessive disclosure requests from your ex 👶 Want to protect your kids while keeping costs manageable ⚖️ Are considering mediation but don’t know when it’s safe to go without a lawyer 🧾 Want to learn how to organise your documents to save money 😟 Are worried your ex is using legal abuse or post-separation tactics to wear you down ⚠️ Trigger Warning: This episode discusses family and domestic violence, coercive control, and financial...
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Divorce and Wastage: Protecting Your Property When Your Ex is spending it all
The Divorce Course Podcast
🎧 Listen to this episode if you… 💸 Suspect your ex has been wasting money during or after separation ⚖️ Want to understand what the new Family Law Act changes (June 2025) mean for add-backs 📑 Need to know how to prove wastage in court or mediation 🏡 Worry your savings could be treated unfairly if your ex has spent theirs 🧾 Want practical tips on disclosure, evidence, and how to talk to your lawyer ⚠️ Disclaimer: This is general education only and not legal advice. Please seek advice from your own lawyer about your specific circumstances. Divorce property settlements...
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ChatGPT and Divorce: 4 AI Traps That Could Hurt Your Case
The Divorce Course Podcast
Listen to This Episode If You: 🗣️ Have used ChatGPT or AI tools to write legal documents 📱 Are wondering if your chat history could be used in court 🧾 Need help drafting or planning divorce paperwork 🤯 Feel overwhelmed and are tempted to “just ask ChatGPT” ⚖️ Want to avoid serious legal mistakes caused by bad AI info 🧠 Are using AI to organize your thoughts, but unsure where the line is More and more people are turning to AI tools like ChatGPT during their separation or divorce — but is it helping… or hurting your case? In this episode, we explore the four...
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Divorce Survival: 5 Strategies to Keep Going When You Feel Like Giving Up
The Divorce Course Podcast
Listen to this Episode If You: 💔 Feel like the divorce process is dragging on and you’re running on empty ⚖️ Need legal strategies to slow things down without giving up entirely 🛡️ Want practical ways to protect your emotional energy 👶 Are trying to stay strong for your children while navigating court or mediation 💬 Need a pep talk (with a legal twist) to help you keep going If you’ve ever thought, “I just can’t do this anymore” during your separation or divorce, this episode is for you. Laura and Lyn share a heartfelt mix of practical legal steps and emotional...
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BATNA in Divorce: How to Negotiate Property and Parenting Like a Pro
The Divorce Course Podcast
Listen to This Episode If You… 🔍 Are heading into mediation and want to feel prepared, not panicked ⚖️ Want to make smart decisions about property and parenting outcomes 🧠 Have heard of BATNA but don’t quite know what it means or how to use it 🚪 Are unsure what your “walk-away” option looks like in negotiations 💬 Feel pressured to agree to something that doesn’t feel fair or safe 🧾 Want to understand your options without relying solely on court 🛠️ Are looking for practical, tips to empower your next steps 📌 Legal Disclaimer: This episode is general...
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Family Law & Privacy: Can Your Ex Access Your Therapy Notes?
The Divorce Course Podcast
Listen to This Episode If You: 🧠 Are considering seeing a psychologist during your separation 😨 Worry your ex might access your private or your child’s counseling records 📜 Want to understand the new Family Law Act changes around protected confidences ⚖️ Need clarity on subpoenas and how courts decide what’s relevant 💔 Fear that private health or therapy records could be weaponized against you 👩👧👦 Want to protect yours or your children’s emotional safety during family law proceedings Trigger warning: this discusses family violence and abuse. In...
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“I’ve Got My Ex’s Disclosure… Now What?” How to Spot Red Flags and Protect Yourself
The Divorce Course Podcast
Listen to This Episode If You… 📂 Just received your ex’s disclosure and don’t know where to start 🧐 Want to know how to spot missing documents or sneaky omissions 💻 Are overwhelmed by pages of financial statements and legal jargon 🔎 Need practical tips for reviewing their disclosure without burning out ⚖️ Want to understand what “full and frank disclosure” actually means 💔 Are worried your ex might be hiding assets or draining accounts Are you staring at a pile of disclosure documents from your ex and wondering “What am I even supposed to do with this?”...
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Divorce and Defamation: What to Do When Your Ex Tries to Destroy Your Reputation
The Divorce Course Podcast
🎧 Listen to This Episode If You… 💔 You’re worried your ex is badmouthing you during divorce ⚖️ Want to know how false allegations and smear campaigns affect family court 🧠 Need strategies to protect your mental health from the gossip 📚 Want practical legal and emotional steps to respond to defamation 😢 Feel isolated because family and friends are believing lies 💬 Need to know how to gather evidence if your ex spreads false stories at work, school, or online Episode Summary: Are you worried your ex is trying to destroy your reputation during your divorce? You’re not...
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Can You Write to Your Ex’s Lawyer? Family Law Tips for Self-Represented People
The Divorce Course Podcast
Listen to This Episode If You: ✉️ You’re self-represented in your family law matter 🤯 You’re feeling overwhelmed trying to respond to legal letters ⚖️ You’re unsure of your rights when communicating without a lawyer 📬 You need tips for writing clear, respectful, and protective responses 🚨 You’ve been told you must respond but don’t know where to start 🧾 You want to avoid common traps and stay legally safe 📌 Legal Disclaimer: This is a general discussion and not legal advice. Please see a qualified lawyer for advice specific to your situation. Episode...
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Is It Family Violence? Legal Definitions and Proof in Court
The Divorce Course Podcast
🎧 Listen to This Episode If You… 🧾 Are trying to prove family violence in family court or to your lawyer 💔 Have experienced abuse and need to understand what counts under the law ⚖️ Want to know what evidence is helpful in a family law case 🕵️♀️ Are navigating post-separation abuse or coercive control 👨👩👧 Are worried about your children being exposed to family violence 📚 Want clarity on Australia’s legal definition of family violence 📌 Legal Disclaimer: This is a general discussion and not legal advice. Please see a qualified lawyer for...
info_outlineThink you know what divorce looks like in Australia? Think again. In this episode, we're busting some of the most common myths that trip people up emotionally, financially, and legally during separation and divorce. Whether you’re at the start of your journey or knee-deep in negotiations, these misunderstandings could be holding you back or costing you big.
Join Laura and her mum, Lynette Galvin — a family lawyer with 35+ years of experience — as they unpack 13 myths they hear all the time, including ones that cause fear, confusion, and prevent people from getting what they’re entitled to. From custody myths to super splitting, property settlement fears and bad legal advice — this episode is your reality check.
DISCLAIMER: THIS IS NOT LEGAL ADVICE just a discussion about Australian Family Law and Divorce or DeFacto Separation.
🎧 Listen to This Episode If You:
✅ Are worried that leaving the house means losing it in the property split
❓ Think child support covers all expenses
💡 Believe the court always favours mothers in parenting cases
🛡 Are avoiding legal advice to “save money”
📚 Think you have to wait until your divorce is final to sort out property
⚖️ Are scared to date during separation because it might “hurt your case”
🧠 Just want to stop second-guessing everything your ex or their lawyer is telling you
📌 Links & Resources Mentioned:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/DatingPost40 📝 Dating After Divorce Survey – Help us shape resources for separated parents:
🎧 Related Episodes:
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Equalising Super: Is It Fair or a Financial Trap? Not yet released
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Is It Emotional Abuse? Recognising Coercive Control https://youtu.be/PHfhLZXlUc8?si=l2U3B8hOKhKlr2v-
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How to Prepare for Mediation Like a Pro https://youtu.be/JYqqDyWa5ns?si=IEdr3tdQnF4fLMnE
💻 Search Our Full Podcast Library – https://www.thedivorcecourse.com.au
⚠️ Emergency Contacts & Support Services:
💜 Women’s Shelter Service: Call 1800 811 811
⚖️ Legal Aid: Visit Legal Aid Website
📞 Lifeline (24/7 Crisis Support): Call 13 11 14
👨👦 Mensline Australia: Call 1300 789 978
👧 Kids Help Line: Call 1800 551 800
🚨 National Domestic Violence Hotline (1800 RESPECT): Call 1800 737 732
🖤 Aboriginal Family Domestic Violence Hotline: Call 1800 019 123
💬 Final Thoughts:
No matter where you’re at in your divorce journey, understanding the truth behind these myths can empower you to make better decisions and avoid costly mistakes. Don’t let fear, bad advice, or outdated beliefs hold you back.
👉 Hit play now and take the guesswork out of your separation. 🎧
⏳ Episode Timeline:
00:00 Introduction to Divorce Myths
01:38 Myth 1: Property Settlement Timing for Divorce in Australia
02:42 Myth 2: Do Family Courts Favour Mothers for Custody
04:33 Myth 3: Ownership and Coercive Control in Divorce
06:38 Myth 4: Equalizing Superannuation in Divorce
07:45 Myth 5: Dating After Separation can it affect your divorce or custody?
10:19 Myth 6: Can you Settle Divorce Without Court
11:58 Myth 7: Leaving the House and Kids during divorce
16:47 Myth 8: Not getting legal Advice Saves Money in Divorce
19:08 Myth 9: Property Settlements Are always 50/50
22:45 Myth 10: Child Support Covers All Expenses
24:07 Myth 11: Do Family Lawyers Know Everything
30:20 Conclusion and Resources
Divorce Myths That Could Cost You – Debunked! Episode 189