Inside Family Law with Zoë Durand

Jessica Strangio and Stephanie Azzi from Rafton Family Lawyers https://rafton.com.au/ At the Pacifica Congress Conference live in Hobart 2023 www.pacificacongress.org   The Inside Family Law Podcast is hosted by Zoe Durand at Mediation Answers www.mediationanswers.com.au in partnership with Lawyer Magic and ArtWork.   If you would like to attend the champagne celebration on 1 November 2023 for the...

Dr Simon Kennedy – “A more nuanced approach”, structured professional judgment in Family Reports   Dr Simon Kennedy https://www.psychologycamberwell.com/dr-simon-kennedy At the Pacifica Congress Conference live in Hobart 2023 www.pacificacongress.org   The Inside Family Law Podcast is hosted by Zoe Durand at Mediation Answers www.mediationanswers.com.au in partnership with Lawyer Magic and ArtWork...

  Film, the Fort. Using the arts as messaging. Education, prevention and disruption. Voice of Change. Film shows coercive control and different types of violence. What can I do to facilitate change? What is an active bystander? “How can I help? What can I do?” Calling out behaviours. Shame associated with family violence. Ripple effect once we call out behaviour. What is family violence? Family vi...

“in control to steer outcomes”, An interview with Elise McSweeny from SplitWorld What is SplitWorld? What is the purpose of SplitWorld? Discussion of modules. Property and assets module, parenting module, and documenting agreement. How the algorithm for the financial calculator (property) was developed. Idea that “The process depletes the resources” of the family and SplitWorld’s intention to be a...

Hayder Shkara (principal at Justice Family Lawyers) and Zoë Durand discuss: Lockdown – parenting during a lockdown School holidays have moved forward in Victoria – school holiday time changes to family law. Follow the orders to the best of your ability. Try to communicate if possible (via lawyer or directly). Changeover and also other safety issues. I.e one parents' residence vs the other parents'...

New ways of doing old problems: family law in the time of Coronavirus Paul Doolan (Partner at Barkus Doolan)  and Zoe Durand discuss: Parenting - compliance with orders due to coronavirus and health conditions.  Commonsense and making decisions in best interests of children. Property issues, loss of value of assets and loss of income. Impaired ability to pay child support, spouse maintenance.  How...

“A measure of pushback” with Jacqui Dawson (Sexton Family Law) How to empower people going through the process. What information to prepare for your lawyer: in parenting and property matters. Checking facts and details in a one page summary. Be completely frank with your lawyer.  Pre-sorting financial disclosure for your lawyer to save legal fees. Being clear about objectives and seeking assistanc...

Sorry to have been away from the podcast for so long. Life got in the way! I hope it was worth the wait.  Come along to the UNSW family law intensive  https://www.edge.unsw.edu.au/sites/default/files/2019-11/Family%20Law%20Intensive%20Program.pdf   where I will be chairing the day. 

Anne-Marie Cade (Divorce coach) - Between then and now: moving clients from the story of divorce to the business of divorce. What is peaceful divorce? What is the coaching process in practicality.  In terms of timing, people can be helped at any stage of the process. Lawyer as entry point into seeking out other services. Retelling of negative narratives via divorce process. Emotional blind spots a...

History of Rachel Brace’s career Reason for creating Max’s Divorce Earthquake How this book helps normalise the separation and helps children verbalise their feelings about their parents’ separation and encourage conversation between children and parents about the separation. How Max’s  Divorce Earthquake can also help parents – helping parents to support their children. There is no right or wrong...

Inside Family Law Podcast launch You are warmly invited to the launch of the Inside Family Law Podcast: At Mediation Answers, Level 21, 133 Castlereagh Street, Sydney From 5.30pm, Wednesday 25 September 2019. Around 6pm: Short speeches by Zoë Durand and The Hon. Peter Rose AM QC, facilitated by ABC journalist Katherine Gregory.  Enjoy an evening of champagne, drinks, nibbles and networking with in...

 “The lens that you have” -  Dr Robert Simon (United States Forensic Psychologist) on understanding families around the world and  children’s views. AFCC series. Why Dr Simon supports the AFCC, interdisciplinary nature of AFCC: Talks that leave you “Wondering and imagining.” International perspectives on family law, example regarding Hawaii and the role of the grandmother in that family, without u...

 “The answers for themselves” The Honourable Stephen Thackray on working with Aboriginal Australians to make family law more accessible. AFCC series. The Honourable Stephen Thakray’s career path through the family law process including having been a Chief Justice of the Family Court of Western Australia, and Senior Judge of the Appeal division of Family Court of Australia and Acting Chief Justice...

 “A voice not a choice” – The Honourable Diana Bryant AO QC (former Chief Justice of the Family Court of Australia) on what is working well, what could work better and ideas for reform. AFCC series. The Hon Diana Bryant’s career path in family law. Family law reform. ALRC report and Diana’s personal views about family law reform. Education for parents and also possible education for children at sc...

 “Things we can do now” - Judge Alexandra Harland on making positive changes on the ground. AFCC series. Why Judge Harland is drawn to the AFCC. The positive efforts of the AFCC and family report writer training. Family law as intersecting with many different areas and professions. Perspective that change can happen at the coalface with those who work in the area of family law. Increasingly better...

“Focus on the kids and think long term” – Judge Tom Altobelli on the AFCC, the importance of collaboration and insights for parents who are separating. AFCC series. History of Judge Altobelli’s career. Judge Altobelli’s views about why he is a member of the AFCC. The importance of collaboration between professionals in the family law system. Issues particular to Wollongong registry including socio...

“You know, but you don’t know” – Albert Frantz (concert pianist, entrepreneur, social justice advocate, Vienna) on being a donor conceived child and identity as a human right. AFCC series. Albert’s personal history as a donor conceived child. Sperm donation in the 1970’s. Identity as a human right – the rights of a child and open sourcing of identity. Psychological impact of growing up not knowing...

“A different way of thinking” - On parenting Coordination overseas and recently in Australia with Dr Astrid Martalas and Craig Schneider, South Africa. AFCC Series. What is parenting co-ordination? How long does parenting co-ordination last? High conflict matters and court resources. Powers of the Court not usurped by parenting coordination – judicial authority and parenting coordination? Role of...

“They count for something” –  Darren Mort (Barrister, actor and director, Melbourne) on  Child focused separation including the book and film ‘Tommy’. AFCC Series Darren’s career history of acting, producing and working as a barrister in family law. The story of Tommy – Film and children’s book about Tommy whose parents are separating. To Be Loved organisation, creating resources to support parent...

“What are these problems?” Dr Phil Stahl (psychologist and expert witness, Arizona) on the specific issues that complicate post separation parenting. AFCC series. Dr Stahl’s experience and work throughout the United States and the world. How the majority of parents can develop problems on their own via Alternative Dispute Resolution. 20% or so of families there are problems that make it difficult...

 “Building strength and resilience between the parents” -  Our Family Wizard with Timothy McMichael and Rachael Howitz. AFCC series. Website and mobile app for co-parents who have separated. Messaging functions with tone metre (“spell check “ for your tone), calendar function, parenting schedule, info bank (storing medical information). Lawyers and other professionals can also be given access to t...

“Winning and losing is not going to be helpful” - Timothy McMichael (Mediator of the Year in New Zealand) on comparing mediation in New Zealand and Australia. AFCC series. Both New Zealand and Australia place importance on family law mediation. Family mediation works in similar ways in New Zealand and Australia. Parties in New Zealand are allowed more hours of mediation than in Australia. Several...

 “Talking to a wall” – Reflections on how surrogacy in Australia, following a personal experience with Stephen Page (lawyer, Brisbane). AFCC series. Stephen Page’s personal journey to have his daughter Elizabeth using surrogacy: “overwhelming joy of generosity” from the surrogate Bumps in the road along the surrogacy journey; medicare rebait, changing clinics. Also the surrogate had a miscarriage...

“Don’t you ever get a spot on your shirt?” Dr Robert Simon (United States Forensic Psychologist) on how all parents make mistakes and understanding each families unique culture specific to them. AFCC series. Focus of his talks at the AFCC Conference. Dr Simon’s history in family law, around the world and in particular in the United States. Understand a families “Culture” and their “culture”. Each...

Jeffrey Choy “looking for little shiny baubles” – Jeffrey on his personal experience with separation and his work today as a family lawyer History of Jeffrey’s career and personal experience with divorce prior to working as a family lawyer. Jeffrey’s personal experience having ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder) and how he has made this work to his advantage as a family law. Tips on prep...