🎧 Listen to this episode if…

- You've done the maths on lawyer fees and your stomach dropped

- You want to do more of your divorce yourself but don't want to get it wrong

- You've got a small property pool and full-time lawyers don't add up

- You have a Legal Aid lawyer and want to help your case move faster

- You and your ex are "amicable" and thinking of skipping the paperwork

⚠️ General information only – not legal advice. Australian family law; always consult a qualified family lawyer about your circumstances.

🛟 This episode touches on family violence and coercive control. If you're in danger call 000. Support: 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732), Lifeline 13 11 14.

Lawyers charge around $500-$1000 an hour Mum and I talk about which hours you actually need to pay for and which you can do yourself.

00:00 – DIY Divorce: Which Lawyer Hours Can You Do Yourself?

03:00 – Why People DIY Their Divorce: The Real Cost of Lawyers

05:00 – Legal Aid Lawyers and Becoming Your Own Project Manager

07:00 – The Family Court Was Built for DIY (Safari Suits Included)

10:00 – Controlling the Pace: Deadlines, Cost Orders and Associates

14:00 – DIY Divorce With Coercive Control: What's Safe to Do

16:00 – Property Settlement Step 1: Your Asset and Debt List

17:00 – Disclosure Explained (and the Five Shopping Bags)

20:00 – Contributions, Future Needs and Your Percentage

22:00 – Negotiating Your Settlement: The Grocery Basket Analogy

24:00 – Consent Orders: Making Your Agreement Enforceable

25:00 – Why You Must Formalise It (Plus Stamp Duty Relief)

27:00 – Parenting Arrangements: From Early Days to a Plan

29:00 – Parenting Plan vs Consent Orders: Why Write It Down

31:00 – What You Can DIY: Divorce Application, Disclosure, Valuations

33:00 – Mediation Without a Lawyer: Save Your Money for Court

35:00 – Three Lawyers at Mediation, None at the Appeal

36:00 – Filing Your Own Consent Orders on the Court Portal

37:00 – The Two Lawyer Checkpoints You Shouldn't Skip

38:00 – "My Case Isn't Normal": Businesses, New Partners, Big Contributions

39:00 – What You Can't DIY: Binding Financial Agreements and Trials

43:00 – DIY vs Winging It: Kitchen-Table Agreements and Disclosure

45:00 – Get Organised: Email Folders and Disclosure Systems

48:00 – Vague Parenting Plans and How to Make Them Specific

50:00 – Advantages and Disadvantages of a DIY Divorce

55:00 – Can You File Your Own Divorce and Consent Orders?

🎧 Episodes Mentioned

Worried About Your Divorce Lawyer? – https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/worried-about-your-divorce-lawyer-delays-bills-and/id1503451022?i=1000792296761

Do I Really Need a Lawyer? – https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/do-i-really-need-a-lawyer-for-my-divorce-or-defacto/id1503451022?i=1000769729536

Disclosure: The What, Why, When & How – https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/disclosure-the-what-why-when-how-of-disclosure/id1503451022?i=1000608265425

Percentages in Property Settlements Explained – https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/percentages-in-divorce-property-settlements-explained/id1503451022?i=1000729446519

Big or Small Property Pool? – https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/big-or-small-property-pool-how-size-changes-your-divorce/id1503451022?i=1000777815540

4 Ways to Agree (Ep 333) – https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/4-ways-to-agree-in-divorce-or-de-facto-separation/id1503451022?i=1000783951018

🔗 Links & Resources

DIY Divorce Blueprint + Family Court Companion Course waitlist – www.thedivorcecourse.com.au

Section 90 Family Law Act (stamp duty) – https://www.austlii.edu.au/cgi-bin/viewdoc/au/legis/cth/consol_act/fla1975114/s90.html

1800 RESPECT – 1800 737 732 | Lifeline – 13 11 14 | 🚓 Police – 000🌐 www.thedivorcecourse.com.au – free webinar: click "Reserve My Seat"🎓 Blog: www.thedivorcecourse.com.au/blog