Are You a Victim of FINANCIAL Abuse? Signs You Shouldn’t Ignore & What the New Laws Might Mean for You
Release Date: 04/02/2025
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
“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?”...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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_outlineAre you? Learn about the signs of economic or financial abuse, hear some real-life examples of how economic abuse manifests in relationships and practical steps you can take to protect yourself and your financial future. Find out how it is legally recognized under the Australian Family Law Amendment Act 2024, and why it’s considered a form of coercive control. Also find out about the new laws effective from June 2025 and how they impact property settlements and financial disputes.
🚨 Trigger Warning: This episode discusses economic abuse and coercive control, which may be distressing for some listeners. If you need support, please contact 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) or Lifeline for confidential advice and assistance.
🎧 Listen to This Episode If You:
✅ Feel like your partner controls your money or financial decisions
❓ Have been told you’re “bad with money” or pressured into signing financial documents
💡 Are worried that financial abuse is continuing after separation
🛡 Want to understand how the new legal changes address economic abuse
📚 Need advice on documenting financial control and seeking help
💔 Are experiencing financial stress during or after separation
DISCLAIMER: THIS IS NOT LEGAL ADVICE just a discussion about Australian Family Law and Divorce or DeFacto Separation.
Key Topics Discussed in This Episode:
-
What is Economic and Financial Abuse?
-
Signs and Red Flags of Economic Abuse
-
How Economic Abuse Is a Form of Coercive Control
-
Legal Changes: Economic Abuse Recognized as Family Violence
-
Impact on Property Settlements and Financial Outcomes
-
How to Protect Yourself from Economic and Financial Abuse
-
Support Services and Resources for Victims
📌 Links & Resources Mentioned:
🔗 1800 RESPECT – Support for family and domestic violence:
-
Website: 1800respect.org.au
-
Phone: 1800 737 732
🔗 National Debt Helpline – Financial counselling and support:
-
Website: ndh.org.au
-
Phone: 1800 007 007
🔗 Men’s Referral Service – Support for men using or experiencing violence:
-
Website: mrs.org.au
-
Phone: 1800 943 539
🔗 Understanding Coercive Control – Australian Government Resource:
🎙️ Related Episodes:
-
Recognizing Coercive Control: How to Protect Yourself https://open.spotify.com/episode/12jgZw1IwIFLK5oPlp0its?si=CvxdW85YRJ6e9pX1katgPQ
-
Navigating Financial Disclosure in Family Court https://www.thedivorcecourse.com.au/disclosurechecklist
-
Understanding Emotional Abuse: Signs, Impact, and Recovery https://open.spotify.com/episode/2bSCQ3JdcU4xxW7D4LJUxG?si=ujMpXOD8QzeLbeA_rlC4Ew
-
How to Tell Your Story and Communicate Coercive Control in Your Documents https://open.spotify.com/episode/6Ci0M4DqznBf1L1kcZM3vY?si=rO-DnFixQqKTPMCbkpe3jA
⚠️ 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
⏳ Episode Timeline:
00:00 Introduction to Economic Abuse
00:24 Recognizing the Signs of Economic Abuse
01:09 Trigger Warning and Support Resources
01:57 Understanding Economic Abuse in Family Law
02:28 Examples of Economic Abuse
04:23 Subtle Forms of Financial Control
12:12 Post-Separation Financial Abuse
15:25 Questions to Identify Financial Abuse
21:30 Coercive Control and Financial Dependence
24:29 Understanding Coercive Control and Financial Abuse
25:34 Real-Life Examples of Financial Abuse
27:06 Legal Definitions and Changes in Family Law
30:37 Proving Financial Abuse in Court
32:03 Steps to Escape Financial Abuse
40:39 Support and Resources for Victims
42:53 Encouragement and Final Thoughts
Are You a Victim of FINANCIAL Abuse? Signs You Shouldn’t Ignore & What the New Laws Might Mean for You