Building a new life after a divorce or separation is best seen as an opportunity to start fresh. We are a social enterprise business, here to help you emotionally, legally and financially to get you the support and ability to regain your confidence, financial stability and ability to co-parent effectively. We strive to provide you with easy to follow, affordable and supportive products and services. Book an appointment with us anytime.
We also have an experienced and respected panel of advisors and service providers who we commonly refer our clients to, as and when needed including psychologists, valuers, financial advisors, forensic accountants, child support specialists, mortgage brokers, mediators, domestic violence specialists, security businesses. Each of these service providers are bound by our ethics and service charter. We do not get referral fees.
Look into Financial Support
Divorce or separation could be expensive. If you’re struggling to keep up with your financial responsibilities, you could consider seeing if you can get support from Centrelink.
- Centrelink also offers a useful Child Support online account to check when your payments are due, how much you’ll get, or how much you owe.
- You might be able to receive Centrelink money while searching for a job or apply for other government benefits.
- If you are experiencing domestic violence you may also be eligible for escape from violence payment or domestic violence crisis payment – this is all part of the leaving violence program. You may also be able to apply for special leave.
- If you’re finding it tough to keep up with payments on your credit cards, loans or mortgages reach out to your bank and discuss your financial hardship.
- If you are having trouble paying your bills, refer to the hardship provisions of your service providers.
- To purchase security systems to have delivered to your safe address check our store for Safe Horizons products.
- The National Debt Helpline is also worth considering.
- If gambling is involved refer to gambling.com.au
If you are looking for a resource to assist you to understand the basic of finance, how to secure your finances,what to consider about your financial position during separation and divorce and emerge with more financial clarity, protection and security refer to our latest resource, Financial Horizons which is available for purchase an our online store.
Emotional and mental health support
Depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues are common following a divorce or separation.
It’s important that you’re aware of the signs so you can take action early. Here’s what beyondblue — our national mental health advocacy service — list as some possible symptoms to look out for:
- not going out anymore
- not getting things done at work or school
- withdrawing from close family and friends
- relying on alcohol and sedatives
- not doing usual enjoyable activities
- unable to concentrate
- tired all the time
- sick and run down
- headaches and muscle pains
- churning stomach
- sleep problems
- loss or change of appetite
- significant weight loss or gain.
They’ve also created a simple checklist to spot the signs and take the next steps.
Mental Health Support national crisis support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (24/7):
- Lifeline – 13 11 14
- Kids Helpline – 1800 551 800 for young people aged 5-25 years
- Suicide Call Back Service – 1300 659 467
- MensLine Australia – 1300 78 99 78 for men of any age
State based mental health crisis numbers:
- ACT – 1800 629 354 Access Mental Health
- NSW – 1800 011 511 – Mental Health LIne
- NT – 1800 682 288- Mental Health Line
- QLD – 1300 642 255
- SA – 13 14 65 – Mental Health Triage
- TAS – 1800 332 388 – Access Mental Health
- VIC -1300 651 251 – SuicideLine
- WA – 1300 555 788 (Metro) or 1800 676 822 (Peel) – Mental Health Emergency Response Line
If your are seeking ongoing counselling or psychological support reach out to familycounsellingsupportnetwork.com
Recognise and prevent family violence or abuse and sexual assault
Domestic and Family Violence happens in all sorts of ways. If you’re feeling intimidated or controlled, never hesitate to reach out to family, friends, or somebody you trust for help.
If it is an emergency contact Police and/or ambulance by calling triple zero – 000.
If you are current experiencing domestic violence or feel unsafe in an intimate or family relationship, or you have experienced sexual assault call 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732).
This is national sexual assault, domestic and family violence counselling service. They provide confidential telephone and online counselling, information and referral for people experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, sexual assault, domestic or family violence.
Organisations like White Ribbon Australia and safe steps can also help support you with specialised services to help protect you from—and prevent—dangerous situations.
PLEASE NOTE: If you have experienced sexual assault, seek medical help if you can, from a hospital, health clinic or rape-crisis centre so you can receive appropriate medical care and support.
For a consolidated guide on how to get Australian domestic and family violence support for you, a loved one/friend or co-worker, refer to our resource – Safe Horizons – which is available for purchase in our online store.
Make use of Legal Aid and mediation services
Legal Aid is a government-funded service that offers people legal advice and representation generally for free. To be eligible, you’ll need to pass various means and merits tests, and meet the relevant legal aid commission’s guidelines. Each state and territory has its own legal aid system so the application process does vary a little.
If you aren’t eligible, you can still look into getting assistance from your local community legal centre instead. We have also heavily discounted hourly rates compared to other service providers which you can book here.
Family Dispute Resolution—or mediation—is a service from Relationships Australia
to help you sort out legal disputes during your divorce or separation. If you’re having difficulty negotiating child care, child support, financial arrangements, or property settlement, their team can help.
Alternatively we have private mediation service providers who have achieved excellent results.
For more tips on where to start organising yourself during a divorce or separation, download our free resources from the website or read our free articles.
Glossary
Advocacy
Advocacy is the public support for a certain cause by a group or individual. Advocacy also entails publicly recommending a particular opinion, policy, or action.
Domestic violence
Domestic violence is violent or aggressive behaviour that happens in the home, by a spouse or partner. This can be physical, psychological, financial, emotional, or verbal.
Means and merits test
A range of tests and criteria that look at a number of personal attributes such as your income, and internal policies such as whether Legal Aid deals with your particular case. These tests vary from state to state, so be sure to ask the right questions when applying.
Mediation
The intervention in a dispute, process, or relationship by a separate party. In a legal sense, mediation is when a third party will assist in negotiating between two opposing parties to reach a peaceful solution.
