The Family Matters Show

Ben and Heather answer questions on divorce, separation and family law from the community. Topics covered include: • Parental alienation and adolescence •Consent order •Who pays the mortgage while property settlement is completed •Can you appeal a family law decision on mental health grounds •Difference between a provisional, interim and final AVO

In this episode we talk about mediation: one of the biggest cost savers in the entire family law process. A successful mediation can save you the emotional and financial cost of going to court. To get the full story on mediation, Ben and Heather spoke to eminent mediator Philip Theobold. An accredited Family Law Arbitrator, Family Dispute Resolutions Practitioner and experienced Family Law Mediato...

Divorce and separation are almost always difficult. Throw a family business into the mix and the complexity and emotion escalate exponentially. Whether the business is big or small, a family farm or a tech start-up, operating as a sole trader, partnership or company, dividing a business asset throws up difficult questions. And of course, if both parties are reliant on the business for their liveli...

In this very special episode, Ben and Heather are joined by former Family Court judge, The Honourable Rodney K Burr, to give our listeners a unique insight into what the person wielding the gavel is really thinking. Rodney Burr brings to the show the knowledge and experience earned through an long and illustrious legal career. He is a former Justice of the Family Court of Australia, a former Chair...

As family lawyers, we like to see our clients re-partner and start new lives. But as blended and step families form it can raise unexpected disputes. In this episode host Benjamin Bryant chats with partner and fellow family law specialist Heather McKinnon tackle the often-difficult subject of divorce and the blended family. Topics covered include: •How to minimise conflict with your ex when re-par...

The sound quality of this month's recording is not up to our usual standard. Due to Covid-19 we have been experimenting with different methods of remote recording and the month technology failed us. Our sincere apologies. Property settlement is one of the greatest sources of conflict in the separation process. Bryant McKinnon Lawyers always advise that it's best to figure out what you are actually...

In this special episode, family law specialist Benjamin Bryant speaks to Baringa Hospital psychiatrist Dr. Doug Andrews about how to protect your relationships and your children through these difficult days of COVID19.

This month Benjamin Bryant from Bryant McKinnon Lawyers chats with barrister Rhys O'Brien about the hazards of mixing social media and separation.

This month Benjamin and Heather fielded questions about family matters from the community. Here are the questions addressed in this podcast: •My ex-partner and I have shared custody of our two children (ages 8 and 11). I want to take the kids back to the UK to visit with my parents and my ex is refusing to sign the passport applications and says it's a breach of our custody agreement. What can I d...

Heather McKinnon mines her forty years of family law experience to come up with some valuable tips on how to avoid unnecessary legal costs and minimise the financial (and emotional) cost of divorce and separation.

This month's show focuses on assisted reproduction, and the legal and psychological implications. Ben and Heather talk to Miranda Montrone, a Sydney based psychologist who specialises in counselling in infertility and assisted reproduction. One in six couples in Australia and New Zealand suffer infertility, and of course, a growing number of same sex couples and single women are choosing to have c...

This month Benjamin and Heather fielded questions about family matters from the community. Here are the questions addressed in this podcast. •What are the consequences for a mother if she takes her children and restricts access to the father for many month before the court takes control? And if the father were to do the same, would the situation play out the same? •I need to divorce my husband but...

Ben and Heather talk to Dr. Doug Andrews, a psychiatrist from Coffs Harbour's Barringa Hospital, about one of the toughest topics in family law: domestic violence. Dr. Andrews has frequently treated victims of family violence in his practice and has an in depth understanding of the mental health impacts of physical and emotional abuse.

The thorniest questions in any divorce or separation often relate to the kids. In the episode Heather and Ben discuss child-focussed ways to handle financial and living arrangements to achieve the best outcomes for your children. Specific topics discussed include: •Budgeting for the long term commitment to raising your children; •Child Support Agency assessments; •Managing changes in financial sit...

Divorce and separation can be a long and emotional process. You need to take care of yourself in order to make wise decisions in a stressful time. In this episode Ben and Heather talk to Monica Joseph, a private practice, Medicare accredited social worker and counsellor, who specialises in counselling people going through relationship breakdowns. Today's show touches on the following topics: •How...

In this episode Ben and Heather addressed some specific questions submitted by people in the Coffs Coast community. It is likely that these questions will be similar to those being asked by many listeners. The five questions addressed were: •When a couple separate, is ownership of cars automatically assumed to be the person who has the registration, regardless of who bought the vehicle? •Do you ha...

Everyone going through a separation wants a fair property settlement. The problems arise when your idea of what's fair and that of your ex-partner are very different, or when one party wants to use property settlement as a means of punishment for past hurts. In this episode, Heather McKinnon, one of Australia's foremost family lawyers, shares her top tips for getting a fair deal.

Benjamin Bryant and Heather McKinnon talk to forensic psychologist Dr Ian Nisbet about how to help your children cope with the trauma of divorce and separation. Too often children are the unintended collateral damage in a separation. This program aims to help parents know what to do and what not to do, and also recognise when it may be time to get additional support for their children.