After separation, people are entitled to and do move forward with their life. In my view, there is a difference between ‘moving forward’ and ‘getting on with it’ or ‘getting over it’ (being the separation). In this blog, I will comment on my own experience and a friend’s experience in managing the ups and downs …

Continue reading “Life After Separation – Part 9 Blended Families”

Family law can include a range of issues. From dividing the assets (property settlement) to working out where children will live (parenting arrangements) to spouse maintenance and then to child support. There is a difference between maintenance and support for a spouse, and the financial support of children after separation. When I see a client …

Continue reading “Life After Separation – Part 8 Paying child support and other expenses for your children after separation”

What is ‘co-parenting’? Is it the same for each separated family? How do you make co-parenting work? Do we have to sit and discuss our children? The above are just some of the unknowns for separated parents. Family lawyers can give advice and guidance on co-parenting, but those lawyers don’t actually have to live it …

Continue reading “Life After Separation – Part 7 Co-Parenting After Separation”

Last week I wrote about managing mutual friendships after separation. This week, I wanted to look at managing our children’s emotions and needs after separation. It is difficult to know whether children expect their parents to separate because they see the unhappiness or conflict, or whether it comes or came as a surprise. Some children …

Continue reading “Life After Separation – Part 6 Managing your children’s emotions and needs after separation”

When we think about separating from our partner or spouse, is there a part of us that also wonders about the impact that separation will have on our mutual friendships? Will they take sides and pick a team? Will they stay in touch? Will the invitations to social events dry up? For me, my friends …

Continue reading “Life After Separation – Part 5 Managing mutual friendships after separation”

After a short hiatus, I am back with part 4 of my 10-part series, Life After Separation. As I sit waiting for a flight, looking and watching people, families either excited to start their holiday or happy for the holiday they have had. To my left there is a family of 4. A girl, a …

Continue reading “Life After Separation – Part 4 Coping with the Loss of the Family Unit”

The Christmas school holidays are an exciting and joyful time for families to come together and celebrate. However, Christmas can be a stressful time for some families, especially families who are separated. If you have been unable to resolve the care arrangements for your children for the end of year school holiday period (Christmas school …

Continue reading “End of year school holiday period application deadline”

Here it is, blog number three from my ten-part series about Life After Separation. This week I’m writing about the impact a separation can have on other relationships. The other relationships that exist or existed because you were a couple. It will seem like a broken record, but I need to preface that these are …

Continue reading “LIFE AFTER SEPARATION – PART 3 What happens to ‘other’ relationships after separation”