Divorce and Separation

Can you really separate while still living together?
With rising living costs and Australia's housing crisis, more couples are choosing to separate under one roof. But what does that actually mean for your legal rights, your children, your finances, and your emotional wellbeing?
In this episode, I sit down with family lawyer in residence Dani Zetzer from Respect Legal to unpack one of the most misunderstood aspects of separation. Together, we explore the legal realities, common misconceptions, and practical strategies for navigating life when moving into separate homes simply isn't possible.
Whether you're considering separation, currently living under the same roof as your former partner, or supporting someone through this transition, I hope this conversation provides compassionate, practical guidance to help you feel more informed and supported.
Resources Mentioned
Family lawyers, parenting coaches, child psychologists, accountants, GPs, Services Australia, Family Tax Benefit, Child Support, and domestic violence financial assistance programs.
Let's Keep the Conversation Going:
Visit Divorce and Separation Hub to explore expert resources, courses, and programs tailored to your needs. Share your questions or comments you're not alone in this.
Host: Nikki Parkinson, TEDx Speaker, Divorce Doula, Coach and Founder of The Divorce and Separation Hub.
The Divorce and Separation Hub Website
The Divorce and Separation Hub Instagram
The Divorce and Separation Hub Facebook
The Divorce and Separation Hub Linkedin
Join our Divorce and Separation community HERE.
Watch Nikki's TEDx Talk HERE.
Guest: Danielle Zetzer, Lawyer, Founder of Respect Legal and Host of Diary of a Divorce Lawyer
Respect Legal
Instagram
LinkedIn
Diary of a Divorce Lawyer
 
Loved This Episode?
Support the podcast by subscribing, leaving a five-star review, and sharing it with someone who could use a little extra support right now.
This podcast's audio production crafted by Dan at dankingproductions.com.au.
This episode is a collaboration with Respect Legal. If you're enjoying this conversation and want to hear more from Dani Zetzer, listen to her podcast Diary of a Divorce Lawyer. If you are ready for legal advice, Dani leads a family law firm, Respect Legal. The team at Respect Legal are modern divorce lawyers putting the humanity back into family law — one client at a time. They will help you make empowered legal decisions that support life beyond separation. Respect by name. Respectful by nature. If you want modern, respectful legal advice visit Respect Legal.
Disclaimer
I hope you enjoyed the podcast today. The information we discussed today was just that information only. It is not specific advice. If you take action following something you heard today, it is important to make sure you get professional advice about your unique situation before you proceed, whether that advice be legal, financial, accounting, medical or other advice. Please reach out to me if you have any questions or if there's another topic you'd like explored.

Have you ever had someone close to you separate and suddenly started looking at your own relationship differently? Maybe it was a friend, a sister, someone at school, work or in your friendship circle.
One minute you are supporting them. The next, you are lying awake wondering:
Are we actually okay? Have I been ignoring things? Could I leave too?
In this solo episode, I talk about "divorce flu" — the idea that divorce can ripple through social circles and make other people question their own relationships. But can you really catch divorce like the flu?
Not exactly.
I explore the research around divorce and social networks, while making it clear that someone else's divorce does not cause yours. But it can bring up feelings, questions and truths that may have already been sitting under the surface.
This episode is about curiosity, not panic.
Host: Nikki Parkinson, TEDx Speaker, Divorce Doula, Coach and Founder of The Divorce and Separation Hub.
The Divorce and Separation Hub Website
The Divorce and Separation Hub Instagram
The Divorce and Separation Hub Facebook
The Divorce and Separation Hub Linkedin
Join our Divorce and Separation community HERE.
Watch Nikki's TEDx Talk HERE.
Loved This Episode?
Support the podcast by subscribing, leaving a five-star review, and sharing it with someone who could use a little extra support right now.
Do you have a question you want answered? Submit your question here.
This episode is produced by Dan King of Dan King Productions.

This episode is sposnored by Simple Separation, the smarter way to separate. Simple Separation is an online, fixed-fee service designed to help Australian couples finalise their divorce and separation respectfully, collaboratively, and without the stress of going to court. From property settlements and parenting plans to child support and divorce applications, everything you need is under one roof, saving you time, money, and unnecessary conflict.
Book your free consultation today to find out if Simple Separation is right for your situation at simple-separation.com.au.
Disclaimer
I hope you enjoyed the podcast today. The information we discussed today was just that information only. It is not specific advice. If you take action following something you heard today, it is important to make sure you get professional advice about your unique situation before you proceed, whether that advice be legal, financial, accounting, medical or other advice. Please reach out to me if you have any questions or if there's another topic you'd like explored.

What happens when leaving feels impossible but staying is costing you your health?
In this honest conversation, Lindy Klim shares her deeply personal journey through divorce, rebuilding her life, and raising four children while starting over from scratch. She opens up about recognizing the physical signs of stress, asking for help, leaving everything behind, and creating a peaceful life for herself and her family.
This episode is a reminder that healing isn't linear, rebuilding takes courage, and life can become lighter after making the hardest decision.
Whether you're considering separation, navigating divorce, or supporting someone who is, Lindy's story offers hope, practical wisdom, and reassurance that you're not alone.
In this episode, we discussed:
Recognising when your body is telling you something isn't right
The emotional weight of staying in an unhappy relationship
Finding the courage to ask for help
Leaving with four children and starting over
Motherhood during separation
Therapy, breathwork, and healing
Why rebuilding isn't about possessions—it's about peace
Supporting children through divorce
Letting go of guilt and embracing a new chapter
Memorable Quote
"It's going to be okay. Just keep putting one foot in front of the other."
Let's Keep the Conversation Going:
Visit Divorce and Separation Hub to explore expert resources, courses, and programs tailored to your needs. Share your questions or comments you're not alone in this.
Host: Nikki Parkinson, TEDx Speaker, Divorce Doula, Coach and Founder of The Divorce and Separation Hub.
The Divorce and Separation Hub Website
The Divorce and Separation Hub Instagram
The Divorce and Separation Hub Facebook
The Divorce and Separation Hub Linkedin
Join our Divorce and Separation community HERE.
Watch Nikki's TEDx Talk HERE.
Guest: Lindy Klim
Instagram
Loved This Episode?
Support the podcast by subscribing, leaving a five-star review, and sharing it with someone who could use a little extra support right now.
This podcast's audio production crafted by Dan at dankingproductions.com.au.
This episode is sponsored by Simple Separation, the smarter way to separate. Simple Separation is an online, fixed-fee service designed to help Australian couples finalise their divorce and separation respectfully, collaboratively, and without the stress of going to court. From property settlements and parenting plans to child support and divorce applications, everything you need is under one roof, saving you time, money, and unnecessary conflict.
Book your free consultation today to find out if Simple Separation is right for your situation at simple-separation.com.au.
Disclaimer
I hope you enjoyed the podcast today. The information we discussed today was just that information only. It is not specific advice. If you take action following something you heard today, it is important to make sure you get professional advice about your unique situation before you proceed, whether that advice be legal, financial, accounting, medical or other advice. Please reach out to me if you have any questions or if there's another topic you'd like explored.

This is Episode 2 of The Legal Side of Separation with family lawyer Dani Zetzer from Respect Legal.
In this episode I am talking to Dani about separation, parenting arrangements and neurodivergent children and why the usual conversations about "fairness", equal time and 50/50 care often do not meet the needs of children who need more structure, regulation and support. Dani brings both her legal experience and her lived experience as a neurodivergent parent of neurodivergent children to this important discussion.
Together, we explore why separation can affect neurodivergent children differently, especially when routines change, handovers increase, therapies need to be managed across two households, or parents are not on the same page about diagnosis, medication or support. This episode looks at why parenting arrangements need to be built around the child in front of you and not what feels fair to the adults.
You'll hear Nikki and Dani discuss:
• Why 50/50 care is not automatically in a child's best interests
• How separation and high conflict can affect neurodivergent children
• Why routines, transitions and handovers matter so much
• What happens when parents disagree about diagnosis or treatment
• The role of mediation, parenting plans and parenting orders
• Why parallel parenting may sometimes be more supportive than traditional co-parenting
• How therapy, medication, NDIS supports and school needs can complicate parenting arrangements
• Why the family law system is limited when it comes to complex children's needs
• How parents can shift from "what is fair to me?" to "what does my child need?"
• Why finding the right professional support matters
This is a powerful and practical conversation for any parent navigating separation with a neurodivergent child, or any parent who feels like the system does not fully understand their child. Because parenting after separation is not about dividing children in half. It is about creating arrangements that help them feel safe, supported and able to cope.
Do you have a question that you would like us to answer? Leave you question HERE.
Resources
If you are experiencing family violence, coercive control, financial abuse, or have concerns about your safety, please seek professional support immediately.
1800RESPECT 1800 737 732
Lifeline 13 11 14
Let's Keep the Conversation Going:
Visit Divorce and Separation Hub to explore expert resources, courses, and programs tailored to your needs. Share your questions or comments you're not alone in this.
Host: Nikki Parkinson, TEDx Speaker, Divorce Doula, Coach and Founder of The Divorce and Separation Hub.
The Divorce and Separation Hub Website
The Divorce and Separation Hub Instagram
The Divorce and Separation Hub Facebook
The Divorce and Separation Hub Linkedin
Join our Divorce and Separation community HERE.
Watch Nikki's TEDx Talk HERE.
Guest: Danielle Zetzer, Lawyer, Founder of Respect Legal and Host of Diary of a Divorce Lawyer
Respect Legal
Instagram
LinkedIn
Diary of a Divorce Lawyer
 
Loved This Episode?
Support the podcast by subscribing, leaving a five-star review, and sharing it with someone who could use a little extra support right now.
This podcast's audio production crafted by Dan at dankingproductions.com.au.
This episode is a collaboration with Respect Legal. If you're enjoying this conversation and want to hear more from Dani Zetzer, listen to her podcast Diary of a Divorce Lawyer. If you are ready for legal advice, Dani leads a family law firm, Respect Legal. The team at Respect Legal are modern divorce lawyers putting the humanity back into family law — one client at a time. They will help you make empowered legal decisions that support life beyond separation. Respect by name. Respectful by nature. If you want modern, respectful legal advice visit Respect Legal.
Disclaimer
I hope you enjoyed the podcast today. The information we discussed today was just that information only. It is not specific advice. If you take action following something you heard today, it is important to make sure you get professional advice about your unique situation before you proceed, whether that advice be legal, financial, accounting, medical or other advice. Please reach out to me if you have any questions or if there's another topic you'd like explored.

When you separate, there are some practical things that feel urgent - parenting arrangements, property settlement, bank accounts, where everyone is going to live.
But there is another part of separation that many people overlook.
Your estate planning.
I'm joined by Mike Poynter, Principal Lawyer at MCP Legal, a partner firm of Simple Separation, to talk about the four key documents you need to review when you separate: your will, superannuation death benefit nominations, life insurance, and enduring powers of attorney.
Because here's the thing most people do not realise: if you separate and do nothing, your existing documents may still point to your former partner. And if you do not have a will at all, the law may still treat your spouse as the first person entitled to your estate until you are legally divorced. 
Mike explains what estate planning actually means, the difference between being separated, divorced, married or de facto, and why it is so important to understand what happens to your assets, superannuation and decision-making powers if something happens to you.
This is not about fear. It is about making informed choices.
In this episode, we discuss:
• What estate planning actually means
• Why your will matters after separation
• The difference between an executor, trustee and beneficiary
• What happens if you separate but do not update your will
• The difference between married and de facto couples after separation
• Why divorce can change your estate planning position
• What happens if you die without a will
• Superannuation binding death benefit nominations
• Why your super nomination can override your will
• Life insurance inside and outside of super
• Enduring powers of attorney and medical decision-making
• Advanced care directives
• Why backup decision-makers matter
• The one simple estate planning step you can take today
Key takeaway:
Separation changes your life, but it does not automatically change every legal document connected to your life.
Your will, superannuation nomination, life insurance and enduring power of attorney may still name your former partner unless you take steps to review them.
You may not need to change everything immediately, but you do need to know where you stand.
Let's Keep the Conversation Going:
Visit Divorce and Separation Hub to explore expert resources, courses, and programs tailored to your needs. Share your questions or comments you're not alone in this.
Host: Nikki Parkinson, TEDx Speaker, Divorce Doula, Coach and Founder of The Divorce and Separation Hub.
The Divorce and Separation Hub Website
The Divorce and Separation Hub Instagram
The Divorce and Separation Hub Facebook
The Divorce and Separation Hub Linkedin
Join our Divorce and Separation community HERE.
Watch Nikki's TEDx Talk HERE.
Guest: Mike Poynter, Principal Lawyer at MCP Legal
Website
Instagram
Loved This Episode?
Support the podcast by subscribing, leaving a five-star review, and sharing it with someone who could use a little extra support right now.
This podcast's audio production crafted by Dan at dankingproductions.com.au.
This episode is sponsored by Simple Separation, the smarter way to separate. Simple Separation is an online, fixed-fee service designed to help Australian couples finalise their divorce and separation respectfully, collaboratively, and without the stress of going to court. From property settlements and parenting plans to child support and divorce applications, everything you need is under one roof, saving you time, money, and unnecessary conflict.
Book your free consultation today to find out if Simple Separation is right for your situation at simple-separation.com.au.
Disclaimer
I hope you enjoyed the podcast today. The information we discussed today was just that information only. It is not specific advice. If you take action following something you heard today, it is important to make sure you get professional advice about your unique situation before you proceed, whether that advice be legal, financial, accounting, medical or other advice. Please reach out to me if you have any questions or if there's another topic you'd like explored.