The Family Matters Show

Heather McKinnon & Benjamin Bryant
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Specialist family lawyers Benjamin Bryant and Heather McKinnon and their special guests answer your questions about divorce, separation, children's matters, property settlement and family court. They empower you to make wise decisions for yourself and your family.

  1. May 30

    Getting In and Out of De Facto Relationships - BEST OF

    This month, we replay one of our most popular episodes (second most listened in fact) which deals with the ins and outs of de facto relationships.  Ben and Heather explore a range of topics relevant to anyone in a de facto relationship, or heading into one. What is a de facto relationship?How long do you have to live together to be in a de facto relationship?How does the law decide when the de facto relationship starts and ends?What does the Court consider when deciding if a de facto relationship exists?Is it possible to be in a de facto relationship and not be living together?Is it possible to be in a de facto relationship while married to someone else?Do you need to register a de facto relationship?Is a de facto relationship any different to a marriage under the law?Does the law treat a same sex de facto relationship any differently than a heterosexual de facto?Does the law treat property disputes any differently for a de facto relationship versus a marriage?Does the law treat children's matters any differently for a de facto relationship versus a marriage?Can I apply for spousal maintenance after a de facto relationship?Should I get a pre-nup or financial agreement before entering a de facto relationship?  Episode note (important): This episode was recorded before changes to property settlement provisions commenced on 10 June 2025. The way the Court determines a just and equitable outcome in property matters has been updated since this recording, so some legal references in this episode may now be out of date. Please seek current legal advice and refer to the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia and Attorney-General’s Department resources for the latest information.

    28 min

  2. May 4

    Collaborating with the "other side"

    When people think about separation, they often imagine conflict — lawyers on opposite sides, fighting it out on behalf of their clients. But in family law, that adversarial mindset doesn’t always lead to the best outcomes.  In this episode, Ben and Heather chat to Marius Eden from Ramsden Family Law about how strong professional relationships with "opposing" counsel can make a real difference to how clients experience separation, both legally and emotionally. Topics discussed include: What does collaboration between opposing solicitors look like...and what does it not involve?The importance of professional respect in achieving good outcomes for both sides.How solicitors can handle genuine disagreement without becoming adversarial.How the way lawyers communicate influences whether a matter becomes combative.Are there situations where collaboration is not appropriate, and how to recognise and manage these?

    24 min

  3. Feb 26

    Learning from Broken Relationships

    People don’t usually walk into a family lawyer’s office asking how to reflect and evolve—but in our experience, a failure to learn from past relationships is often what brings people back. Again and again. In this episode, Ben and Heather talk to Dr. Robyn Goodwin, a clinical psychologist from LSC Psychology in Sydney, to explore how to learn from broken relationships so you can move forward with clarity and reassurance. Topics covered include: How strong emotions can get in the way of reflection and growthHow to "process" those emotionsHow to reflect on what went wrongHow to avoid blame and self blameThe impact of repeating the same relationship patternsHow to recognise when you're travelling down the same old roadAdvice for someone who feels stuck - like they can't get over past relationshipsLearning resources and advice for moving forward

    27 min

  4. Jan 29

    Funding Your Divorce

    Even for those who are relatively well-off, accessing joint assets during separation can be difficult—so where does the money come from to fund your life, legal expenses and basic needs in the meantime? Ben and Heather are joined by Amanda Kerdel from JustFund, Australia's leading provider of family law and estate finance, to discuss the options available for funding your divorce or separation. Topics covered include: Costs - what are the common expenses, and what's a ballpark range for typical separation costs?Shared assets - can these be used, and what may prevent the use of shared assetsBorrowing from family/friends/banks - the pros and consLitigation finance:Heather and Amanda share stories of how litigation finance is helping people to achieve justice

    20 min

  5. Jan 1

    Getting a Fair Property Settlement - BEST OF

    We’re revisiting one of our most popular early episodes — Getting a Fair Property Settlement. Everyone going through a separation wants a fair outcome. The challenge is that your idea of “fair” and your ex-partner’s can be very different — and emotions or past hurts often get in the way. In this episode, family law expert Heather McKinnon shares her top tips for reaching a fair financial settlement without unnecessary conflict or cost. Her practical advice remains just as relevant today as when we first aired this episode. Key takeaways include: Agree early on what property and liabilities you both have. Do your due diligence — know your own and your ex-partner’s financial position. If you can’t agree on an asset’s value, agree to get a valuer. Don’t let emotional attachment block a sensible outcome. Get early legal advice to understand your best- and worst-case scenarios. Focus on fairness, not punishment. Consider a financial planner for fresh ideas and solutions. Mediate once both parties understand the full asset picture. Keep communication open. Wait 3–6 months after separation before finalising finances.

    33 min

  6. 10/30/2025

    E63: Coping with the Holidays after Separation - BEST OF

    With the holiday season just around the corner, we’re bringing back a very popular episode from 2022 featuring Elisabeth Shaw, CEO of Relationships Australia NSW. Elisabeth is also a highly experienced clinical and counselling psychologist, specialising in couple and family therapy, with more than 25 years of wisdom to share. In this episode, Elisabeth offers thoughtful and practical advice for anyone navigating the festive season after a separation or divorce—a time that can bring up all kinds of emotions and logistical challenges. We cover a wide range of topics, including: Why the holidays tend to heighten emotions and strain relationships The emotional impact of your first major holiday without your ex—and how to manage it Strategies for negotiating holiday arrangements for children Helping kids handle their own feelings around the season What to do if you're planning to travel with the kids Coping with loneliness or resentment if you’re spending the holiday alone And how to navigate holidays with adult children post-separation Toward the end of the episode, Ben asks both Elisabeth and Heather for their one key piece of advice for couples facing their first Christmas apart—so be sure to stay tuned right through to the end.

    32 min

  7. 10/02/2025

    Community Questions - Take 9

    In this episode of The Family Matters Show, Ben and Heather answer real questions from the Coffs Coast community - questions that might be on your mind too. Can I force the sale of a jointly owned home if we’ve only lived together 18 months? What can I do if my ex is demanding too much and I can’t afford legal fees? Do we really have to split parenting time 50/50? Can I stop my ex from introducing the kids to a new partner after just a few weeks? What are my options if my ex has stopped paying child support? Should my HECS debt be considered in our property settlement? What can I do if I suspect my ex is hiding business assets? If you’ve been asking yourself any of these questions, this episode is packed with clear, practical answers.

    22 min

  8. 08/28/2025

    Getting Finance after Separation

    Ben and Heather are joined by Craig Budden from Aussie Home Loans in Coffs Harbour to discuss the tricky business of getting finance after separation. Topic covered include: The major challenges in getting finance post-separationCredit scores: what are they and how can divorce impact on your scoreHow to rebuild your credit score if it takes a hit after separationDo banks count child support or spousal maintenance when calculating your income?Buying a new property if your name is still on a joint mortgage for the family homeRemoving your ex's name from the joint mortgage if they stop making paymentsWhat banks look for if you want to buy out your ex's share of the family homeIs it possible and/or reasonable to maintain a joint mortgage after separation?Options for single parents seeking a home loanThe Family Home Guarantee scheme - what is it and who's eligible?Top tips from Craig, Ben & Heather when seeking finance after separation

    21 min
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About

Specialist family lawyers Benjamin Bryant and Heather McKinnon and their special guests answer your questions about divorce, separation, children's matters, property settlement and family court. They empower you to make wise decisions for yourself and your family.

Information

  • Creator
    Heather McKinnon & Benjamin Bryant
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    68
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Heather McKinnon & Benjamin Bryant
  • Show Website
    The Family Matters Show

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