10 Things That Quietly Destroy Your Family Court Case (Sometimes before you’ve even gone to court)
Release Date: 01/27/2026
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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,...
info_outline
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…
-
You’re worried your custody or property case might end up eventually in court.
-
You are preparing for Family Court or worried your case might escalate
-
You want to avoid mistakes that judges hate seeing in parenting or property matters
-
You’re dealing with a high-conflict ex or coercive control
-
You’re self-represented and want to understand what the court looks for
-
You want to protect your credibility and stay child-focused
-
You feel overwhelmed and want to understand how to present better in court
-
You want to understand how Family Court judges make decisions
If you're going through separation, divorce, or a parenting dispute in Australia, this episode will help you avoid the most common mistakes people make in the Family Court. These insights can make or break your credibility, influence parenting outcomes, and help you stay calm and strategic throughout the legal process.
In this episode, we unpack 10 behaviours that can ruin your case — the things that damage cases, frustrate judges, increase legal costs, and affect how your evidence is viewed. Whether you’re self-represented, considering mediation, managing a high-conflict ex, or worried about how your actions may be interpreted, this conversation will give you clarity on what the court expects from parents.
Learn how to stay child-focused, how to avoid actions that look like parental alienation, how to communicate effectively, how to avoid sabotaging your own case, and why honesty, disclosure, and consistency matter so much. If you're feeling overwhelmed, emotional, or stuck in conflict, this episode offers guidance to help you stay grounded and organised.
LEGAL DISCLAIMER: This episode contains general discussion only this is not legal advice please always get independent legal advice as each situation is different.
Trigger Warning: This episode has some discussions of family violence.
⏱️ Episode Timeline
00:00 – Introduction: How to Avoid Mistakes That Hurt Your Family Court Case
Overview of the most common behaviours that weaken parenting and property cases.
02:07 – Why Judges Prioritise Child-Focused Parenting in Family Court
Understanding how child welfare drives decisions and how to demonstrate it clearly.
06:36 – Keeping Emotions Out of Family Court: What Judges Look For
Why emotional reactions, venting and accusations can damage your credibility.
13:26 – Presenting Evidence Properly: What Counts in Family Court
How to gather, organise and present evidence that the court will actually rely on.
16:59 – The Serious Consequences of Lying or Exaggerating in Court
How dishonesty can destroy your case and impact parenting or property outcomes.
21:27 – Disclosure Rules in Property Settlement: What You MUST Provide
Explaining financial disclosure obligations and what happens if you don’t comply.
25:26 – Following Court Orders and Deadlines: Why Timing Matters
How delays, missed tasks or ignoring directions reflect poorly on your case.
25:58 – Understanding Family Court Practice Directions (CPD Requirements)
What the Central Practice Direction means for your behaviour and preparation.
28:40 – Narrowing the Issues Before Court: What Judges Expect You to Do
Why bringing every problem to court backfires and how to refine your case.
33:19 – Avoiding Behaviour That Looks Like Parental Alienation
How to protect your children and yourself without appearing to obstruct the other parent.
39:43 – Acting Reasonably in Family Court: How It Influences Outcomes
Examples of unreasonable behaviour and why judges pay close attention to it.
42:03 – Courtroom Etiquette, Presentation and Final Takeaways
How to conduct yourself, communicate effectively, and stay credible throughout your case.
🔗 Links & Resources
-
Free Webinar https://www.thedivorcecourse.com.au/divorcewebinarregistration
-
The Divorce Course Website – Courses & Support www.thedivorcecourse.com.au
-
1800 RESPECT – 1800 737 732
-
Lifeline – 13 11 14
Dealing with Narc Lies in court
https://open.spotify.com/episode/5SdkXhj3vC2tfO3gDdkM6y?si=P-fwZYVSQxO7JnVs5yYJdw
When your ex lies in court https://open.spotify.com/episode/2OpAGxXfx78iAO81TMPPxJ?si=wcN-tRFdSaSjGLU51fmV7w
Overcoming disclosure delays
https://open.spotify.com/episode/0uOO8dKYV4NWlCfyu8FZEh?si=PI-J7YtGTb6pFRKGa7KjdA
Disclosure Deadlocks
https://open.spotify.com/episode/2yrShRhq4jcGVuVDN6Jq6C?si=ZFmAHXmAT1-JS0neHjsDHQ
Is your ex hiding assets
https://open.spotify.com/episode/4KbgLRFXB9r2rCz3vycZ98?si=nKf11LeYS_66Uzn003Ydug
Central Practice Directions
https://www.fcfcoa.gov.au/fl/pd/fam-cpd
False Accusations of Parental Alienation
https://open.spotify.com/episode/0l9L5SDovV515EU4H5gpIf?si=jNYKY5cBTCatIXZpEHXisQ
Handover Hell
https://open.spotify.com/episode/6Pskjns3vZkLyv9FCefvxm?si=UrHDcaRBTwuKpnVmWty-qA
Family Reports
https://open.spotify.com/episode/4k2Z4glD8WpY4dsqz6vn5Y?si=MMj_I2N5RlaT_5flBfZjMQ
Court Etiquette
https://open.spotify.com/episode/0JOwxZOGxT182UOp8iqd8z?si=8ib6y9qLRvuD5n8AO4y46w
💛 Closing Reminder
If this episode helped you feel more prepared or confident, please follow, rate, and review the podcast. Your support helps more women find clear, supportive information during their divorce or separation.