Guides · 50 guides
Reading for wherever you're at.
Practical guides for separated parents: money, kids, legal basics and rebuilding. No theory. Just what to actually do.
Short emails for the stage you're in.
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05-Atlas framework
Separated under one roof: the legal and practical reality
What separated under one roof means in Australia, what evidence may matter, how to document the arrangement and how to keep the household functional while nothing feels clean.
Read the guide · 3 min read
05-Atlas framework
Separated under one roof: the legal and practical reality
What separated under one roof means in Australia, what evidence may matter, how to document the arrangement and how to keep the household functional while nothing feels clean.
All guides
Oldest first, so they read in order
Housing
The ‘I can’t afford rent’ problem after separation
A housing triage guide for separated parents who cannot afford rent, covering survival numbers, bond help, rent assistance, emergency housing and first 48-hour actions.
Legal
Mediation failed. Now what?
What happens after family dispute resolution fails in Australia, including Section 60I certificates, exemptions, consent orders, legal advice and preparing for court.
01-Survive
The GP appointment after separation: what they can actually help you with
What to ask your GP after separation, including mental health treatment plans, referrals, sleep, medication, safety, certificates and what to say when you are running on fumes.
Housing
The mortgage after separation: who pays while property settlement drags on
A practical guide to mortgage payments after separation, interim arrangements, contribution records and cash-flow risk before property settlement is finalised.
Kids
The first solo week with the kids: how to actually run the house alone
The first solo week with the kids is not about becoming a perfect parent. It is about food, school, sleep, handover, house rules and a repeatable rhythm.
Legal
Going to family court for the first time: what will actually happen
A practical first-court-date guide for Australian family law matters: what the first event is for, what to bring, what an ICL does and what not to expect.
Co-parenting
Communication with a difficult ex: how to use the BIFF method
A practical BIFF communication guide for separated parents: brief, informative, friendly and firm messages, with examples and documentation rules.
Mental Health
What to do when you can’t get a psychologist: the interim system
What to do while you are waiting for a psychologist in Australia: GP follow-up, crisis lines, Medicare Mental Health, peer support, low-intensity help and daily stabilisers.
02-Stabilise
What to write down after separation: what to document and what’s overkill
A practical separation documentation guide: what records matter, what is overkill, how to structure notes and when to document instead of replying.
02-Stabilise
The separation admin nobody warns you about: accounts, utilities, subscriptions, and access
A practical admin checklist for separating accounts, utilities, subscriptions, passwords, insurance, vehicles, mail and shared digital access after separation.
Legal
How to prepare for mediation: what to organise in the week before
A practical mediation preparation guide for separated parents: documents, issues, children, money, proposals, scripts and what to avoid in the week before family dispute resolution.