Separation: Navigating the road ahead
Law Talk WA is a podcast for West Australians that provides real and relevant information about legal issues in our state.
Each episode features conversations with a panel of experts who share their knowledge and expertise of a particular topic covering criminal, civil and family law matters, with helpful and practical tips along the way.
If you are interested in learning more about your rights, the law in Western Australia, and where you can go for help, listen now on:
Series 1 – Separation: Navigating the road ahead
Our first series Separation: Navigating the road ahead is designed to help people navigating their way through separation and covers topics such as arrangements for children, dividing property and restraining orders. Throughout each episode our subject matter experts share suggestions on how to do this as safely as possible, especially if there has been family violence. The series includes a bonus episode which explains how the recent changes in family law simplify the legal pathway to ensure the best interests of children is the focus of every parenting case.
- Episode 1 - Thinking about separating? What do I need to think about?
- Episode 2 - Separation and divorce: I've just separated, what now?
- Episode 3 - Making arrangements for children after separating
- Episode 4 - Help! How do we divide our property and finances?
- Episode 5 - Family violence and restraining orders: separating safely
- Episode 6 - Changes to family law: What are they all about?
The Separation: Navigating the road ahead series is hosted by Legal Aid WA, with subject matter experts from Circle Green Community Legal, Gosnells Community Legal Centre, Great Southern Community Legal Services, and Northern Suburbs Community Legal Centre.
Episode 1 - Thinking about separating? What do I need to think about?
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This episode talks about separation. We discuss what separation means, the steps people can take to prepare for separation and the support services that are available.
More about this episode
Episode 1 is hosted by Heidi Stewart (Lawyer, Legal Aid WA) with guests:
- Tameka Brown (Principal Lawyer, Great Southern Community Legal Services)
- Paige Landy (Lawyer, Humanitarian Team, Circle Green Community Legal)
- Astrid Sander (Social Worker and Paralegal, Northern Suburbs Community Legal Centre)
- Jamie Leroux (Financial Counsellor, Gosnells Community Legal Centre)
Episode 2 - Separation and divorce: I've just separated, what now?
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In this episode we move from thinking about separation to the next stage – when people have separated from their partner. We talk about ways to try to work things out amicably with an ex-partner and keeping things out of court, if possible. We also introduce property and children, which will be covered in more depth in later episodes.
More about this episode
Episode 2 is hosted by Heidi Stewart (Lawyer, Legal Aid WA) with guests:
- Tameka Brown (Principal Lawyer, Great Southern Community Legal Services)
- Paige Landy (Lawyer, Circle Green Community Legal, Humanitarian Team)
- Sharon Pedley (Child and Family Expert, Legal Aid WA)
- Kalanie Fernando (Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner, Gosnells Community Legal Centre)
Episode 3 - Making arrangements for children after separating
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Children are the focus of this episode. We explore the law, including family violence, family law and the recent amendments. We give tips on how to make an arrangement for children that works well and present different options for how to record an agreement.
More about this episode
Episode 3 is hosted by Heidi Stewart (Lawyer, Legal Aid WA) with guests:
- Sharon Pedley (Child and Family Expert, Legal Aid WA)
- Emma Walke (Independent Children’s Lawyer, Legal Aid WA)
- Kalanie Fernando (Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner, Gosnells Community Legal Centre)
Episode 4 - Help! How do we divide our property and finances?
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In this episode we focus on property including information about the law and practical tips about how people can start the process of dividing their finances and property after separation. We give insight into how the court decides about dividing property, how to formalise an agreement and the benefits of consent orders.
More about this episode
Episode 4 is hosted by Heidi Stewart (Lawyer, Legal Aid WA) with guests:
- Jamie Leroux (Financial Counsellor, Gosnells Community Legal Centre)
- Alessandra Skala (Lawyer, Northern Suburbs Community Legal Centre)
- Clancy Hindmarsh (Lawyer, Legal Aid WA)
- Kalanie Fernando (Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner, Gosnells Community Legal Centre)
Episode 5 - Family violence and restraining orders: separating safely
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In this episode, we explore what family violence is, including behaviours people may not realise are family violence. We provide information for people thinking about leaving their partner or who have just separated, where there was family violence during the relationship, and discuss tools and options for keeping safe, including Family Violence Restraining Orders (FVROs).
More about this episode
Episode 5 is hosted by Heidi Stewart (Lawyer, Legal Aid WA) with guests:
- Chimpo Bulawayo (Lawyer and Manager of the Domestic Violence Legal Unit, Legal Aid WA)
- Nicholas Snare (Principal Lawyer, Northern Suburbs Community Legal Centre)
- Janeen Martin (Social Support Worker, Domestic Violence Legal Unit, Legal Aid WA)
- Katy Welch (Principal Lawyer, Humanitarian Team, Circle Green Community Legal)
Episode 6 - Changes to family law: What are they all about?
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Family law in Australia has recently had an overhaul to simplify how children’s cases are decided under the Family Law Act 1975. We explain the changes and talk about how they will affect families and children.
More about this episode
Episode 6 is hosted by Heidi Stewart (Lawyer, Legal Aid WA) with guest Emma Walke (Independent Children’s Lawyer, Legal Aid WA)
Series 1 of Law Talk WA is brought to you by:
More information
To find legal answers to your family law questions visit the FAMILY page or use the search function at the top of this page.