Who pays the mortgage after separation in Australia? Mortgage payments are a significant challenge that many couples face when divorcing or separating and often requires professional legal and financial advice. As far as the law is concerned, the person in whose name the mortgage is registered is legally liable for the monthly payments. If the mortgage is registered in both names, you are both legally responsible to continue meeting the payments until the property is sold (or transferred to one or other party). Does one person have to move out of the house when you separate? The quick answe ..read more

Are you considering filing for divorce? Read this blog from accredited family mediator Ian Shann first! Decide You Definitely Want To File For Divorce This may be one of the most difficult decisions you’ll ever have to make, so think hard and make sure you are happy with your decision. You are the only person that can make that call. And, it may be infinitely preferable in the long term to stay together, despite short-term difficulties. To avoid regrets down the line, know that you have tried to reconcile if that was an option. Try to maintain an open mind to your spouse’s points of view and ..read more

As a family mediator in Perth I come across all sorts of reasons why people want to – or don’t want to – participate in family mediation where children’s issues are involved. But there are only a few reasonable grounds to refuse mediation. Simply not wanting to attend is not a reasonable ground to refuse family mediation, especially if it has been ordered by the Family Court or is a pre-requisite to commencing proceedings where children’s issues are involved. Let’s take a look at some of the reasonable grounds to refuse family mediation and how they might affect your mediation process. Existi ..read more

Are you considering how to legally separate from your spouse while you still live together under the one roof? It sounds like a daunting prospect but there are some things you can do to keep the process straightforward for you, your ex, and your children. There is no legal definition of separation – it happens when one or both parties advise the other that the relationship is over and that there is no realistic prospect of resuming co-habitation. Here are some tips on how to separate from your spouse while living together after you’ve made the decision to separate. Note Your Separation Date ..read more

If you are going through a separation or divorce, you might be in the midst of some pretty ugly battles with your ex. Divorce can be contentious, litigious and downright dirty. So how do you ensure that you and you ex separate amicably? As a family mediator in Perth, I know a few things about working to achieve amicable separations through family mediation. That’s not bias or a sales pitch – it’s a fact. Divorces that are settled through mediation are almost always quicker, cheaper and more amicable for everyone involved – for the parties themselves, for their children, for their families and ..read more

Do you need a family lawyer for separation and divorce? This is a question many separating couples ask themselves and the simple answer is “no, not necessarily” – however there are some caveats when it comes to divorcing without a family lawyer. Let’s take a look at whether you really need a family lawyer for separation and divorce. Do you need a lawyer to get divorced? Legally, you do not have to have a lawyer to get divorced or settle things after a relationship has broken down. However, if you do end up in Court, attempting to represent yourself without having some understanding of the fa ..read more

As a family mediator in Perth I am often asked “who pays for family mediation”? There are a few options when it comes to who pays for family mediation, so read on to find out more about our family mediation fees at Move On Mediation. Other family mediators may have a different fee structure so, if you are getting quotes from different mediators, make sure the fees cover everything you expect. Who Pays For Family Mediation? In most cases parties agree to share the costs, but you can decide that for yourselves. You may choose to split the cost 50-50, or a different percentage. You can also agr ..read more

A question I often get is “do I have to attend family dispute resolution?”  The short answer is “no” but there may be exceptions. If the Family Court orders that parties attend family dispute resolution you simply must attend. Here’s what you need to know about the process. What is Family Dispute Resolution? Family dispute resolution (FDR) is a formal process where, under the guidance of a professional family dispute resolution practitioner, a divorcing or separating couple attempt to resolve their disputes and agree the terms of their separation. It is a possible alternative (and oppor ..read more

Are you divorcing a narcissist? Find out what you can expect if you’re divorcing a narcissist and get some tips on navigating the process of divorcing a narcissist now. What is Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD)? Perhaps the easiest way of explaining a narcissist, is by looking at the origin of the word. In Greek mythology, Narcissus was a handsome young man who became so obsessed with his own reflection in a pool that he fell into the water and drowned. The moral of the story is that he died because of his inability to love anyone other than himself. Today, such a person would likely b ..read more

Looking for the best books about divorce & separation in 2023? I’ve compiled a list of my top books about divorce & separation – including fiction, non-fiction and children’s books. The Best Books About Divorce & Separation – Fiction Books The Divorce (Victoria Jenkins) A fantastic physiological thriller with a shocking twist. Josh and Lydia Green seem like any regular couple – a doctor, and a stay-at-home mother.  With Josh working longer hours in the hospital, and Lydia feeling increasingly isolated at home, the strain is starting to show. They don’t talk as much as they u ..read more