Divorce, Parenting and Property – Legal Insights from Village Family Lawyers

VillageFamilyLawyers

Divorce, Parenting & Property – Legal Insights from Village Family Lawyers is your go-to source for calm, clear guidance on separation, parenting arrangements, financial settlements, mediation, and more. Hosted by Lauren Wilson, Founder and Director of Village Family Lawyers, each episode unpacks real questions faced by families during major life transitions — with compassion, legal expertise, and a focus on child and family wellbeing. Whether you’re exploring mediation, preparing for court, or trying to understand your rights, this podcast offers practical insights to help you move forward

  1. Financial Abuse and Property Settlement: Recognising Control and Understanding Your Options

    Jun 23

    Financial Abuse and Property Settlement: Recognising Control and Understanding Your Options

    Financial abuse is rarely loud. More often, it is the quiet control of money, information and decisions, and it does not simply stop when a relationship ends. In this episode of Divorce, Parenting and Property Matters, Village Family Lawyers explains how coercive control and financial abuse can affect a property settlement, and what can help. We talk through what financial abuse can look like after separation, why not having the full financial picture affects your decisions, and why financial disclosure matters so much. We look at how a power imbalance can affect negotiation and mediation, and the safeguards that help, why legal advice before you agree to anything is so important, and when accounting or financial advice may also be needed. Village Family Lawyers works exclusively in family law and supports clients calmly, carefully and with discretion. Our role is to help you see the full picture, understand your options, and move forward with more certainty and more control. We support clients across Mount Eliza, Malvern, the Mornington Peninsula, Bayside and Melbourne. To book a free discovery call or an initial consultation with one of our team, in our Mount Eliza or Malvern office or online, visit www.villagefamilylawyers.com.au Key takeaways Financial abuse is about control, not only money. It can mean control over information, access, decisions and confidence. You cannot settle well on a picture you cannot see, which is why financial disclosure matters so much. A power imbalance changes how a settlement should be approached, not whether you can reach one. Getting advice before you agree to anything is one of the most important protections available to you. Where assets are complex or a full picture is not being shared, accountants or forensic specialists can help. Village Family Lawyers supports clients calmly, discreetly, and at a pace that feels safe.

    5 min
  2. Preparing for Family Law Mediation — Walking In Calm, Clear and Confident

    Jun 23

    Preparing for Family Law Mediation — Walking In Calm, Clear and Confident

    Preparing for family law mediation can feel overwhelming, especially when you are tired and unsure what is fair. In this episode of Divorce, Parenting and Property Matters, Village Family Lawyers explains how to walk into mediation calm, clear and confident. We start with the question that matters more than "what should I bring", and what you really need to understand before you negotiate. We talk through gathering the right information about property, finances, and parenting; what makes an agreement actually work in real life; and how to prepare for the emotional dynamics and any power imbalances. We explain how lawyer-assisted mediation and our Pre-Mediation Conference can support you, what happens after mediation, and why properly documenting an agreement matters so much. Village Family Lawyers works exclusively in family law. Two of our senior lawyers are Nationally Accredited Mediators who understand the process from the inside, and around 90% of the matters we support through mediation resolve without going to court. We support clients across Mount Eliza, Malvern, the Mornington Peninsula, Bayside and Melbourne. To book a free discovery call, an initial consultation or a pre-mediation conference with one of our team, in our Mount Eliza or Malvern office or online, visit www.villagefamilylawyers.com.au Key takeaways Preparation matters more than the day itself. The steadiest clients are the ones who understood their position before they walked in. The real question is not what to bring, but what you need to understand before you can make a good decision. A workable agreement beats one that only looks equal on paper. A power imbalance changes how mediation should be run, not whether it can happen. Village Family Lawyers' Nationally Accredited Mediators understand mediation from the inside, and around 90% of supported matters resolve without going to court. Get legal advice before signing anything final, because how an agreement is recorded affects whether it holds.

    5 min
  3. Mediation in Victoria: What It Is, What Happens, and How to Prepare

    Apr 10

    Mediation in Victoria: What It Is, What Happens, and How to Prepare

    If you are facing separation, there is a good chance mediation has already come up. But what does it actually involve, and is it just something you have to get through before the real legal process starts? In this episode of Divorce, Parenting and Property: Legal Insights by Village Family Lawyers, we explain why mediation has become such a central part of the family law process in Victoria, what usually happens during a session, and why preparation can make the difference between leaving with clarity or leaving with more uncertainty. We cover: Why mediation is often the first step in parenting mattersWhat Family Dispute Resolution means in practiceWhat happens in a typical mediation sessionShuttle mediation, confidentiality, and common discussion topicsWhat happens if an agreement is reachedWhy understanding your legal position before mediation mattersHow pre-mediation legal advice can help you negotiate with more confidenceAt Village Family Lawyers, we know separation is not just a legal issue. It is personal, emotional, and often overwhelming. That is why we focus on calm, practical guidance in plain English, helping clients move forward with more clarity and less conflict. If you would like support before mediation, our team can help you understand your legal position, prepare your negotiation approach, and work out what makes sense for your situation. Book a free 15-minute discovery call Village Family LawyersMornington Peninsula, Bayside and Melbourne’s inner east1300 413 997www.villagefamilylawyers.com.au

    7 min

About

Divorce, Parenting & Property – Legal Insights from Village Family Lawyers is your go-to source for calm, clear guidance on separation, parenting arrangements, financial settlements, mediation, and more. Hosted by Lauren Wilson, Founder and Director of Village Family Lawyers, each episode unpacks real questions faced by families during major life transitions — with compassion, legal expertise, and a focus on child and family wellbeing. Whether you’re exploring mediation, preparing for court, or trying to understand your rights, this podcast offers practical insights to help you move forward

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