Divorce, Renovations & the Family Home: What the Family Court Really Cares About
Release Date: 01/14/2026
Is Your Ex Wasting the Property Pool? Here's What the Family Court Does Now
The Divorce Course Podcast
🎧 Listen to this episode if… You've been told "add-backs are dead" by your lawyer or your ex Your ex is wasting the property pool and you don't know how to stop it You've watched assets disappear since separation bank accounts, cars, super You're heading into mediation and need to know what to argue You want to understand what the Shinohara & Shinohara Case and Shamon & Sharon Case actually mean for your case You're worried about delay tactics while your ex quietly drains the joint money ⚠️ Legal Disclaimer This podcast is general information only – it is not legal...
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Coercive Control & Domestic Violence in Family Court: Should You Raise It or Stay Silent?
The Divorce Course Podcast
🎧 Listen to this episode if: You want to understand if domestic violence can affect your property or parenting outcome You've been told by a lawyer to "leave the family violence out" of your case You're scared raising coercive control or domestic violence will backfire on you in mediation You're confused by social media saying the courts ignore family violence Your ex is still using coercive behaviour even after separation You're heading into mediation or court and don't know how to bring it up ⚠️ Legal Disclaimer & Family Violence Trigger Warning This episode...
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Divorce Money Mistakes: What Financial Planners Know That You Don’t
The Divorce Course Podcast
🎧 Listen to this episode if: You’re about to go through property settlement in divorce You’re focused on the percentage but unsure what it actually means You’re dealing with complex finances (trusts, companies, super, shares) or Simple Property Settlement You want to avoid making a financial mistake that costs you years You’re wondering whether to take the house, cash, super or investments ⚖️ Legal Disclaimer & ⚠️ Family Violence Trigger Warning This episode contains discussion of family violence, coercive control, and financial control, which may be...
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Furniture in Divorce: Who Gets What & Costly Mistakes to Avoid
The Divorce Course Podcast
🎧 Listen to this episode if: You’re arguing over furniture or household items in divorce Your ex has taken everything or won’t give anything back You’ve been told “you can’t take anything if you leave” You want to avoid wasting money on legal fees over small items You’re trying to work out what’s actually fair vs worth fighting for Legal Disclaimer & Family Violence Trigger Warning This episode contains discussion of family violence, coercive control, and separation dynamics, which may be distressing for some listeners. If you are unsafe, do not attempt to...
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Health and Divorce: How Illness May Affect Property Settlement Percentage
The Divorce Course Podcast
🎧 Listen to this episode if: You or your ex has a serious illness or disability You’ve been a carer during the relationship You have ongoing medical expenses You’re worried about future financial support after separation You want to understand how courts assess health in property settlement ⚖️ Legal Disclaimer This podcast is for educational purposes only and provides general information about Australian family law. It is not legal advice. Every situation is different, and you should seek independent professional guidance for your circumstances. What...
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Is Your Ex Watching You? Coercive control goes digital.
The Divorce Course Podcast
🎧 Listen to this episode if: You feel like your ex knows things they shouldn’t You suspect you’re being tracked, monitored, or watched You’re going through separation and worried about digital safety Your ex had access to your devices, passwords, or accounts You want to protect yourself and your children from tech-based abuse What if your ex knew where you were… who you were talking to… and what you were saying — without you ever telling them? In this episode, we’re joined by Catherine Plunkett, Director of Safety Net Australia at WESNET, to unpack the growing...
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Refusing 50/50 Care? What to Do in Mediation When Your Child's Safety Comes First
The Divorce Course Podcast
🎧 Listen to this episode if: You’ve been told to attend mediation but feel unsafe agreeing to child care arrangements Your ex is pushing for 50/50 care and you don’t believe it’s appropriate for the kids You’re dealing with substance abuse, family violence, or safety concerns and your child's safety You feel pressured to compromise at mediation when you don’t want to You want to understand your options without giving in on safety Have you been told you need to go to mediation, but you’re worried about the outcome because you simply cannot budge when it comes to your...
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The Parenting Order Loopholes Your Ex Might Exploit (And How to Close Them)
The Divorce Course Podcast
🎧 Listen to this episode if: You are about to negotiate parenting orders or a parenting plan Your coparent is high conflict, manipulative or controlling You’re worried they will twist agreements or exploit loopholes You’re preparing for mediation or family court for parenting orders You want parenting orders that actually reduce future arguments Family Violence & Legal Disclaimer This episode contains discussion of family conflict and family violence which may be distressing for some listeners.If you are experiencing family violence or feel unsafe, please contact...
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Can I Make My Ex Leave the House? 5 Strategies After Separation
The Divorce Course Podcast
🎧 Listen to this episode if: You are separated but still living under the same roof as your ex You feel stuck in the house and don’t know how to move forward You want to know what an ouster order is You want to understand sole occupancy Someone told you if you leave the house you will lose your rights to it You want to understand what you can legally do to create space after separation Your ex refuses to move out and you don’t know what your options are You’re wondering whether you can make your ex leave the house You’re dealing with a manipulative, avoidant,...
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When It’s Not Just Conflict: How Coercive Control Shows Up in Divorce
The Divorce Course Podcast
🎧 Listen to this episode if: You’re unsure whether what you experienced was abuse You’ve heard the term “coercive control” but don’t fully understand it You feel confused, guilty or constantly off balance in your relationship Negotiations during separation feel manipulative rather than constructive You’re worried about how coercive control affects children You want clarity and validation around your experience This episode discusses family violence and may be triggering for some listeners. If you need support, please reach out to 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) or Lifeline (13 11...
info_outline🎧 Listen to this episode if…
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You’re selling the family home during divorce or de facto separation
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A real estate agent has told you to renovate or stage before selling
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Your ex wants to delay settlement until renovations are finished
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You’re stuck with a half-renovated or unfinished house
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You’ve already spent money on renovations and want to know if it “counts”
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Your ex is demanding reimbursement for renovations
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Parents or in-laws contributed money to renovations
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You’re deciding whether to keep the house, sell it, or buy your ex out
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Renovations feel emotionally or financially overwhelming right now
đź“Ś Legal Disclaimer: This episode is for education only and not legal advice. Please seek your own independent legal, financial, and real estate advice for your situation.
đź“Ś Trigger Warning: This episode discusses family violence and property damage. Support services are listed below.
đź“ť Episode Summary
Should you renovate or stage the house when you’re going through divorce or is it a costly mistake that keeps you stuck longer than you need to be?
In this episode, Mum and I break down renovations, staging, and selling the family home during separation, and what actually matters in property settlements. We talk honestly about when spending money might make sense, when it won’t, and how renovations are often used intentionally or not as a delay tactic or control mechanism.
We cover staging versus maintenance, half-finished renovations, DIY disasters, family contributions, damage to property, and how the court really views all of it. Most importantly, we talk about how to decide whether renovations are worth the financial and emotional cost, and how to avoid getting trapped in a house or a settlement that never seems to move forward.
đź“Ś Trigger Warning: This episode discusses family violence and property damage. Support services are listed below.
⏱️ Episode Timeline
00:00 Should You Renovate Before Selling During Divorce?
00:40 Renovations During Divorce: Common Questions Answered
01:09 Legal and Financial Rules Around Renovations
02:03 Staging vs Renovations: What Actually Adds Value?
05:52 Renovation Traps: Delays, Control and Emotional Attachment
08:41 Half-Finished Renovations and Unsellable Homes
13:32 Renovations as Non-Financial Contributions Explained
16:49 Family Loans, Gifts and Renovation Contributions
23:14 Property Damage, Wastage and How Courts Value Homes
23:47 Keep, Sell or Buy Out the Family Home?
24:51 Renovation Reimbursements: Do You Have to Pay Them Back?
26:34 Renovating During Separation: What to Do and What to Avoid
28:51 How Family Law Courts Determine Property Value
30:02 Renovations and Consent Orders: What Courts Will and Won’t Enforce
35:22 Property Valuations in Divorce: What Courts Accept
40:04 Final Thoughts: Avoiding Renovation Mistakes in Divorce
đź”— Links & Resources
Support Services (Australia)
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1800 RESPECT – 1800 737 732
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Lifeline – 13 11 14
Related Episodes
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Selling Your House During Divorce
https://open.spotify.com/episode/6YUc34CVu6aCmunjQT1Sp6?si=Aks8s1YMTguzG-wyYO33Xw
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Property Settlement Explained
https://open.spotify.com/episode/5WcJwbOkw7UcCdla48EpXj?si=JRrkI8pZRdu6EUn0h8gncw
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Financial Abuse After Separation
https://open.spotify.com/episode/4wxVtk6TOSCgqCJikfk6LD?si=Uxr0alr8TeKwX-WvzKx6Cg
🚨 Support Services (Australia)
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1800 RESPECT – 1800 737 732
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Lifeline – 13 11 14
đź“Ś Legal Disclaimer
This episode is for education only and not legal advice. Please seek your own independent legal, financial, and real estate advice for your situation.
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