Family Law Mediation Secrets – What Your Mediator Wish You Understood
Release Date: 05/21/2025
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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🎧 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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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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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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🎧 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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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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🎧 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_outline🎧 Listen to This Episode If You:
🚪 You’re about to go to mediation and don’t know what to expect
📝 You want to know what documents and disclosures you actually need
😵💫 You’re anxious about seeing your ex in the same room
🧠 You want practical tips to mentally and emotionally prepare
⚖️ You want to give yourself the best chance of settling
👀 You’re worried your ex is manipulative or controlling
🎯 You want a checklist of exactly what to do before the big day
Mediation can be one of the most powerful tools in your separation or divorce journey — but only if you’re properly prepared. In this episode, I sit down with my mum Lyn (a seasoned family lawyer) to reveal the top 5 things mediators wish people knew before walking into mediation.
Whether you’re facing property division, parenting negotiations, or dealing with a high-conflict or manipulative ex, we’re giving you practical, real-world strategies to set you up for success. From shuttle rooms to knowing your must-haves vs nice-to-haves, this episode is your ultimate mediation prep guide.
⚠️ Trigger Warning: This episode includes discussion of family and domestic violence.
📌 Legal Disclaimer: This is general information only and not legal advice. Always seek independent legal advice for your situation.
⏱️ Episode Timeline:
00:00 Introduction to Mediation
00:10 Top Five Things Mediators Wish You Knew
01:18 Separate Rooms for Mediation -Do you have to be in the same room with your ex? (Hint: no!)
07:03 Compromise is Key - Why compromise is crucial — and how to prepare for it
11:52 Be Prepared with Documents - Clear goals vs nice-to-haves: how to prep like a pro
17:17 Anticipate Your Ex's Roadblocks
21:53 Navigating Conversations About Your Ex
22:20 Understanding Your Role in Mediation
22:29 Join Our Free Webinar
23:06 The Mediation Experience
24:13 Handling Pressure During Mediation
27:07 Preparing for Mediation -Your must-have mediation prep checklist
29:55 Dealing with Different Divorce Personality Types
34:00 Tips for staying calm and focused with difficult exes
36:26 Managing Manipulative and Controlling Exes
40:26 Where to get free mediation and disclosure checklists
🔑 Key Topics Discussed:
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The 5 things mediators wish you knew
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How to emotionally prepare for mediation
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What to do when you’re dealing with coercive control or narcissism
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Practical tips for organising your evidence and disclosures
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The power of clear goals and flexible thinking
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How to keep calm and avoid being derailed
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The truth about compromise — and how to protect yourself while doing it
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Why you’re still in control, even if you feel overwhelmed
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Using mediation as a tool — even if your ex is impossible
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The role of support people, tech tips, and being emotionally ready
📚 Related Episodes:
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🎙️ Can You Mediate With a Narcissist? https://open.spotify.com/episode/3Vjl0I9xXUQruoAQKLVh11?si=pQpMWvz_RHKapxZ07AgkoA
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🎙️ Mediation or Manipulation? https://open.spotify.com/episode/4P1DjaMtXTq2sbel4qywew?si=EeVPhl6dTDiphTLXhoeTaA
🆘 Support Services:
💜 Women’s Shelter Service: 1800 811 811
⚖️ Legal Aid: Visit your state’s Legal Aid website
📞 Lifeline (24/7 Crisis Support): 13 11 14
👨👦 Mensline Australia: 1300 789 978
👧 Kids Help Line: 1800 551 800
🚨 National DV Hotline: 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)
🖤 Aboriginal Family DV Hotline: 1800 019 123