🎙️ New Podcast Episode | Separation vs Divorce in Australia

This week, we unpack a topic that is often misunderstood and can have serious legal consequences:
Separation vs divorce in Australia — what’s the difference, and why does it matter?

While these terms are commonly used interchangeably, they mean very different things under Australian family law. Misunderstanding the distinction can impact your finances, parenting arrangements, legal rights, and future decisions.

In this episode, Dannielle breaks down:
• What separation really means (and why it doesn’t require paperwork)
• How separation can occur even while living under the same roof
• Why the separation date is legally significant
• What divorce does and what it does not cover
• Australia’s no-fault divorce system
• The requirement of 12 months and one day of separation
• Common misconceptions about property settlements and parenting
• Critical legal time limits for married and de facto relationships
• Why rushing a divorce isn’t always necessary
• The importance of early legal advice and mediation

You’ll learn why separation marks the end of a relationship, while divorce is simply the formal legal end of a marriage and why waiting until divorce to address property or parenting matters can sometimes put you at risk.

Whether you’re separated, considering divorce, in a de facto relationship, or simply seeking clarity, this episode provides clear, practical legal information without the jargon.

🎧🎥 Listen now and stay informed.

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Do de facto couples have the same legal rights as married couples in Australia?

It’s one of the most common questions people ask when separating — and one of the biggest myths in family law.

In this episode of The Divorce Collective Podcast, Dannielle Young explains:

• What legally defines a de facto relationship

• Whether de facto couples can access property settlement, superannuation splitting, and spousal maintenance

• The key requirements that must be met

• Why parenting and children’s matters are treated the same regardless of relationship status

• The crucial 2-year time limit de facto couples must know after separation

If you’re in or leaving a de facto relationship, this episode will help you understand your rights and avoid costly mistakes.

🎙 Listen to the full episode now on Buzzsprout

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#NewEpisode

#FamilyLawAustralia

#DeFactoCouples

#PropertySettlement

#SpousalMaintenance

#ParentingArrangements

When families go through separation or major change, children often feel it long before they can express it. Their emotions show up in behaviours not sentences and for many parents, this can be confusing, overwhelming, or even heartbreaking.

In this episode, Dannielle Young, breaks down the emotional realities children face during parental separation and offers supportive, practical guidance for families navigating this transition.

Dannielle shares real examples from her work with families, discussing how different age groups respond to change and what signs of separation anxiety may look like at each childhood stage. From toddlers suddenly becoming clingy, to primary-aged children experiencing physical symptoms like headaches or tummy aches, to teens withdrawing or feeling pressured to take sides — these behaviours have meaning.

💛 In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How separation anxiety can vary based on age and developmental stage
• The common emotional and behavioural signs parents should be aware of
• Why children absorb the emotional atmosphere between parents, even when nothing is said
• How predictable routines help rebuild feelings of safety and consistency
• Age-appropriate ways to talk to children about changes in the family structure
• Simple rituals that make transitions between homes calmer and more secure
• How to model healthy emotional regulation (even when you’re struggling too)
• When it's time to seek external support such as counselling, support groups, or school wellbeing teams
• How mediation and a clear parenting plan can reduce stress and provide stability for children

This episode is here to remind parents that children don’t need perfection — they need presence, reassurance, and stability. Dannielle offers compassionate, practical tools to help you navigate this chapter with confidence and care.

If you’re currently going through separation or adjusting to co-parenting life, this conversation offers guidance, understanding, and hope.

💬 If this episode supported you, please follow, share, or leave a review to help more families access resources during difficult transitions.