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.

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.

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-separation
• Credit scores: what are they and how can divorce impact on your score
• How to rebuild your credit score if it takes a hit after separation
• Do 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 home
• Removing your ex's name from the joint mortgage if they stop making payments
• What banks look for if you want to buy out your ex's share of the family home
• Is it possible and/or reasonable to maintain a joint mortgage after separation?
• Options for single parents seeking a home loan
• The Family Home Guarantee scheme - what is it and who's eligible?
• Top tips from Craig, Ben & Heather when seeking finance after separation