While the overall divorce rate in Australia is declining, there is an upward trend in divorce in couples over 50. Ben and Heather talk about this phenomenon on this podcast and some of the unique complications that arise when calling quits on a long term relationship.

Topics covered include:

1. Why the divorce rate is rising for older Australians.
2. Dividing assets at the end of a long term relationship, including
3. How the Court deals with health discrepancies.
4. Advice for women to ensure their retirement needs are met.
5. Child support for adult children.
6. The value (or otherwise) of a pre-nuptial agreement when re-partnering.

Ben and Heather welcome special guest forensic psychologist Dr Robert Simon from San Diego California to talk about resist/refuse behaviour in children, including the heated subject of parental alienation. Dr Simon is a specialist in child custody matters in the United States and is renowned for his expertise in parent/child contact problems. He provides an excellent overview of the most common reasons for resist/refuse behaviour, and makes it clear that parental alienation is not the most common cause.

Topics discussed include:

1. The difference between a clinical and forensic psychologist.
2. The three main reasons for parent/child contact problems:
3. The impact of wrongfully identifying the nature of parent/child contact problems.
4. The Australian Family Law Court's approach to parent/child contact problems.

Ben and Heather have put together a "top 10" list of mistakes people make when it comes to child custody disputes. In this episode they explain why each of these is a mistake and what you could consider doing instead.

1. Bad-mouthing the other parent – especially in front of your child.
2. Trying to make your child feel sorry for you.
3. Refusing to communicate with the other parent.
4. Denying the other parent access to their child.
5. Putting your own interests ahead of your child’s.
6. Making big decisions about your child without consulting the other parent – ie/ school, medical treatment, place of residence.
7. Telling your child that they get to choose their living arrangements.
8. Lying to the court about your drug or alcohol use.
9. Coaching your child before family report interviews.
10. Breaching court orders.