Knowledge Hub
For when the glossary
isn't enough.
A curated library of the sources Joe, the team at FLP, and the advisers at Coastal actually use. Australian-focused, organised by theme, and tagged so you know whether a piece is plain-English background or genuinely expert material.
01
The legal pathway
What family law actually says, and what the court actually does. The primary sources beneath everything Joe will walk you through.
Family Law Act 1975, full text
Federal Register of Legislation
The Act itself. Section 79 (property alteration), s.79(4) (the four-step process) and s.75(2) (future-needs factors) are the ones to know.
ExpertFinancial or property: Overview
Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia
How the court approaches property cases, from disclosure obligations through to consent orders. Written for self-represented parties and lawyers alike.
IntermediateDuty of disclosure, what you must hand over
Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia
The full list of documents both parties must exchange before any property matter is resolved. Print this before your first disclosure session.
IntermediateFamily Law Rules 2021
Federal Register of Legislation
The procedural rules: pre-action procedures, financial statements, expert evidence. The framework lawyers operate inside.
Expert
02
Money & superannuation
Super is property in family law, and it's often the second-largest asset after the home. Get the structure right and the numbers follow.
Family law and superannuation
Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia
The official guide to how super is valued, flagged and split on separation. Covers accumulation, defined-benefit and SMSF.
IntermediateDivorce and your money
ASIC Moneysmart
Plain-English run-through of bank accounts, joint debts, super and insurance through a separation. A good place to start before you see anyone.
Plain EnglishRelationship breakdown and capital gains tax
Australian Taxation Office
How CGT rollover relief works for transfers between separating spouses, plus the super-splitting tax treatment.
ExpertSuperannuation and relationship breakdown
Australian Taxation Office
Specific guidance covering self-managed super funds, trustee duties, member exits and the structuring decisions that need to happen quickly after separation.
Expert
03
Tax through separation
The tax bill on a settlement can be larger than people expect. These are the rules that decide whether transfers trigger CGT, stamp duty, or a deemed dividend.
When the relationship breakdown rollover applies
Australian Taxation Office
The CGT rollover that defers capital gains tax on assets transferred between separating spouses under a court order, consent orders or a BFA.
ExpertMain residence exemption in relationship breakdown
Australian Taxation Office
When the family home stops being your main residence, and the absence rule that can extend the exemption for up to six years.
ExpertDivision 7A and relationship breakdown
Australian Taxation Office
How payments and transfers from a private company can become a deemed dividend on relationship breakdown. Critical when business assets are being unwound.
Expert
04
Parenting & child support
The decisions that travel with you for the next decade. Parenting orders and child support sit alongside the property settlement: separate processes, same family.
Child support assessment
Services Australia
The eight-step formula, the care-percentage table, and how to estimate what you'll pay or receive. Includes the online estimator.
IntermediateChildren: Overview
Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia
The court's framework for parenting decisions, the s.60I certificate requirement, and how parenting plans differ from consent orders.
IntermediateCentrelink payments for separated parents
Services Australia
Family Tax Benefit, Parenting Payment, JobSeeker and the rules around 'member of a couple' status when you separate.
Plain English
05
Support & safety
If something at home doesn't feel safe, that comes first. Always. These services are confidential, free, and available 24/7. If your spouse is coercive or narcissistic, the resources at the bottom of this list are worth a quiet read.
1800RESPECT, domestic, family and sexual violence
National counselling service
Confidential 24/7 phone and online chat counselling, with safety planning support. 1800 737 732.
Plain EnglishLifeline, crisis support
National crisis line
If today is hard. 13 11 14, 24 hours a day, every day.
Plain EnglishWomen's Legal Services Australia
National network
Free legal help for women, with specialist family law and family violence expertise. State-by-state contacts.
Plain EnglishMensline Australia
Counselling for men
Telephone and online counselling for men with family and relationship concerns. 1300 78 99 78.
Plain EnglishCoercive control, what it is and what to do
1800RESPECT
Plain-language guide to coercive and controlling behaviour, with the patterns it follows and the first steps to take. Useful when you're not sure if what you're experiencing has a name.
Plain EnglishSeparating from a narcissistic partner, practical guide
Relationships Australia
A grounded read on what to expect, why the usual advice often doesn't apply, and how to protect your decision-making when the other party is destabilising it.
Plain English
06
Financial advice & complaints
How to check a financial adviser is who they say they are, and what to do if a bank, super fund or adviser gets something wrong.
Financial advisers register
ASIC
Search any adviser's registration, qualifications, history of bans and the licensee they work for. Free, official.
Plain EnglishAustralian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA)
Independent ombudsman
Free, independent complaints service for banks, insurers, super funds and financial advisers. Use after the internal complaints process.
Plain EnglishChoosing a financial adviser
ASIC Moneysmart
The questions to ask, the documents you should receive (FSG, SoA), and how advisers are paid. A useful primer before any first meeting.
Plain English
From The Settle
Our long reads
The three chapters of the journey, written end-to-end by the FLP and Coastal teams. Read in order, or jump to where you are.
Before, quietly preparing
Finding the paperwork, understanding what you own and owe, and building a soft landing before anyone needs to know.
During, in the thick of it
Separating joint accounts, talking to lawyers, learning the language of settlements and superannuation.
After, a fresh page
Rebuilding your financial identity, redirecting bills, owning your super and investments.
External links open in a new tab and are provided for general education. They are not endorsements of any specific organisation, and they are not legal or financial advice for your situation. For advice tailored to you, speak with Joe and the team at FLP, or the advisers at Coastal.