Think sharing a Netflix account and a mortgage makes you just “roommates with benefits”? Under Australian family law, it probably makes you partners in de facto relationships —with all the rights and obligations of a married couple. In this episode of Mediation Matters, we unpack exactly what de facto status means, how the courts decide whether you’ve crossed the line from dating to domestic partnership, and—most importantly—how mediation can keep you out of a back-logged courtroom and ...
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Think sharing a Netflix account and a mortgage makes you just “roommates with benefits”? Under Australian family law, it probably makes you partners in de facto relationships —with all the rights and obligations of a married couple. In this episode of Mediation Matters, we unpack exactly what de facto status means, how the courts decide whether you’ve crossed the line from dating to domestic partnership, and—most importantly—how mediation can keep you out of a back-logged courtroom and ...
Separated under one roof and still sharing a kitchen, hallway, and dealing with awkward silences? You're not alone—around 1 in 4 separating couples in Australia find themselves in exactly this situation. Whether it's the brutal housing market, keeping things stable for the kids, or waiting for a property settlement to finalise, moving out simply isn't an option for many people. Here's what most people don't realise: you don't have to live at different addresses to be legally separated. ...
How Much Does a Family Lawyer Cost in Australia? (The Truth Will Shock You) 💔 Searching "family lawyer cost" at 2am? You're not alone — and you deserve to know the REAL numbers before making any decisions. In this podcast, we break down the true cost of family law in Australia — from hourly rates to hidden fees — and reveal the smarter alternative that could save you up to 95% on legal costs. What You'll Learn: ⚖️ Average family law matter costs ($30,000 - $300,0...
💰 The average contested divorce in Australia costs tens of thousands—some cases exceed $100,000 and drag on for YEARS. But here's the truth: it really doesn't have to be that way. The couples who come out strongest aren't the wealthiest or most legally aggressive. They're the ones who prepared early and chose collaboration over combat. In this podcast, we reveal the practical financial steps you need to take BEFORE separation to protect yourself, your family, and your future—wheth...
Kennon v Spry — What It Means for Family Trusts & Property Settlements Discover why the landmark High Court case Kennon v Spry changed the way Australian courts treat family trusts during divorce and separation. In this video we unpack how and when discretionary-trust assets can be included in the marital property pool — and why that matters for couples, families and financial planning. 📌 What you’ll learn How control and benefit over a trust can make its assets part of ...
📈 Why are workplace disputes in Australia surging — and what can you actually do about it? The Fair Work Commission just dropped some eye-opening numbers: 44,075 lodgements this year alone. That's a 10% jump. Unfair dismissal claims? Over 16,000. Anonymous tip-offs to the Fair Work Ombudsman? Up 50%. Something's shifting in Australian workplaces, and most people haven't noticed yet. In this podcast, we break down: ⚡ The 3 key reasons workplace disputes are climbing fast ...
Your verbal agreement means NOTHING without this step. 😬 You've done the hard work. You've negotiated with your ex about the house, the children, the debts. You've finally reached an agreement. But here's what most separating couples in Australia don't realise — that agreement isn't worth the paper it's written on. A verbal agreement? Unenforceable. A parenting plan? Valid, but if your ex stops following it, your options are limited. Even a written agreement between you both carri...
What happens when family law disputes turn into drawn-out courtroom battles? In this episode, we uncover the hidden casualties of Australia’s Family Court system—the children. 💔 While parents and lawyers focus on winning, children are often left feeling powerless, anxious, and caught in a storm that was never theirs to begin with. Research from the Whitlam Institute and experts across the field reveal just how damaging prolonged litigation can be—not just financially, but emotionally.&n...
In this episode of Mediation Matters, Dan Toombs, Founder of Mediations Australia pulls back the curtain on Australia's broken legal system—where family law cases drag on for THREE years and couples collectively burn through $400,000 in legal fees fighting battles that didn't need to happen. In This Episode, You'll Discover: The shocking truth about why judges themselves are begging people to avoid courtroomsReal stories from the frontlines: A construction partnership saved and a ...
Separation is tough — but for fathers, it often comes with myths, mixed advice, and confusion. In this episode of Mediation Matters, Mediations Australia we cut through the noise and breaks down what dads really need to know about their rights after separation. 👉 Did you know? Fathers have the same legal rights as mothers under the Family Law Act 1975. But the law doesn’t talk about “rights” anymore — it’s all about responsibilities. We’ll explore: ✨ Equal shared parental re...
🎙️ Mediation Matters: Mediator vs. Conciliator – What’s the Real Difference? ⚖️💬 Ever been in a conversation where someone says “Oh, you mean…” and then totally describes something else? 🙃 That’s exactly what happens when people mix up mediators and conciliators – but trust us, they’re not the same thing. In this episode, Joanne takes you behind the scenes of two powerful dispute resolution roles you might encounter in family law. 💔➡️💡 👥 Mediators: The calm, neutral guides w...
👨👩👧 The Big Question When families separate, the #1 concern is: How do we make this work for our kids?You don’t just want a plan that looks good on paper — it has to work in real life.The secret? It’s not a “perfect formula”… it’s the process you use to create it.💡 Why Mediation Works Better Than Court ✅ Keeps decisions with the parents — not a judge who’s never met your kids✅ Higher compliance rates — people stick to what they helped create✅ Turns conflict into collaboration✅ S...
💔 The Challenge You’ve built a life together — a home, maybe a business, investments, super.Now, after separation, everything needs to be divided.The traditional court process?❌ Expensive❌ Time-consuming❌ Emotionally draining 💡 The Alternative – Property Settlement Mediation ✅ Avoid years in court✅ Save tens of thousands in legal fees✅ Keep control over your outcome✅ Keep your financial details private 📌 What We’ll Cover in This Episode: What property settlement mediation re...
💰 Splitting assets after separation? This could save you THOUSANDS in legal fees! When relationships end, dividing property fairly can feel overwhelming - but it doesn't have to be. In this edition of Mediation Matters we break down the two most powerful tools for formalising your property settlement: Binding Financial Agreements (BFAs) and Consent Orders. Did you know 95% of property disputes NEVER reach final court hearings? Learn the insider strategies that experienced mediator...
Welcome to Mediation Matters, the podcast by Mediations Australia—leaders in family law mediation nationwide. I’m Ryan, and in this episode, we unpack what really happens in mediation and why it works. You might be surprised to learn that 70–80% of mediations in Australia result in agreements—but at Mediations Australia, we’re achieving over 90%. Why? Because mediation is designed to help people find practical, future-focused solutions—even in the most emotionally charged situations.&nb...
You know that feeling when something just doesn’t sit right in your relationship — but you can’t quite explain why? You haven’t been hit, but you feel smaller. Less free. Less yourself. This episode is for you. Because something big just happened in Queensland. And it’s about time. In this episode of Mediation Matters, we’re talking about Hannah’s Law — groundbreaking legislation that criminalises coercive control in Queensland. It's named in honour of Hannah Clarke, a ...
🚨 Are you facing drug and alcohol testing orders in your family court case? This comprehensive guide reveals everything Australian parents need to know about court-ordered substance testing - and a surprising alternative that could save your family thousands. Discover the three critical court documents that can make or break your case, understand exactly when judges order testing (it's not what you think!), and learn about the different types of tests from basic urine screens to compreh...
Can Your Ex Make Financial Claims After Divorce? Understanding Your Rights and Protecting Your Future Think your divorce means you're financially free from your ex? Think again. In this eye-opening episode, we reveal the surprising 12-month window after divorce where your former spouse can still make claims against your assets – and the exceptions that could extend this timeframe indefinitely. Join Mediations Australia as we break down the complex world of post-divorce financial c...
Facing a family law dispute but your former partner refuses to participate in mediation? You're not alone, and you're not powerless. In this episode, we explore the practical strategies and legal pathways available when mediation isn't an option. Join us as we unpack the real reasons behind mediation refusal - from fear and misunderstanding to emotional barriers - and learn how to address these concerns constructively. We'll guide you through your legal options, including Section 60i Ce...
Australia's family law landscape has fundamentally changed in 2025, and these reforms are putting families back in control of their own outcomes. In this episode of Mediation Matters, we explore how the Family Law Amendment Act 2025 is reshaping dispute resolution and why mediation has become the preferred pathway for Australian families navigating separation and divorce. Ryan discusses four critical insights every family needs to understand: how the new mandatory mediation requirements...
Feeling trapped because your ex-partner won't sign the divorce papers? You're not alone, and you have more power than you think. In this essential episode of Mediation Matters by Mediations Australia, we reveal the surprising truth about divorce law in Australia and why your ex's signature isn't the roadblock you believe it to be. Join us as we explore the practical and legal realities of navigating divorce with an uncooperative former partner. We'll walk you through the sole applicatio...
Think sharing a Netflix account and a mortgage makes you just “roommates with benefits”? Under Australian family law, it probably makes you partners in de facto relationships —with all the rights and obligations of a married couple. In this episode of Mediation Matters, we unpack exactly what de facto status means, how the courts decide whether you’ve crossed the line from dating to domestic partnership, and—most importantly—how mediation can keep you out of a back-logged courtroom and ...
