An amicable divorce is possible

Our Family in Two Homes
Achieving outcomes that work for your family now and into the future in relationship breakdown and divorce.

Nicholes Family Lawyers is proud to offer clients a real alternative to divorce that avoids litigation (unless this is needed at the end of the process). Our Family in Two Homes is an investment in the future of your family – whether you have small children or adult children who live outside of the family home.

Our Family in Two Homes is a suite of tools or a map for retaining control, dignity and respect in separation and reaching a binding outcome that works for your family. It is a tool that helps former couples navigate:

  • Parenting | Custody | Access | Discipline | Healthcare etc
  • Financial | Asset division | Property | Debt | Superannuation and Child support | Spousal maintenance etc
  • Other family related discussions

By deploying tools such as Our Family in Two Homes, you can treat the separation / divorce process as an investment in the future of your family and hopefully avoid the trauma of litigation.

Is our family in two homes for me / us?

If you answer yes to any of the below questions – please talk to us to see whether this trust and communication based approach to divorce will meet your needs.

  • Do you want to retain an ongoing relationship with your (ex) partner(s) after divorce?
  • Do you want to continue to co-parent (ie health, education, approach to discipline) / be actively involved in the lives of your children together but apart
  • Do you think you can, with help from our team, agree your property division with your (ex) spouse using open communication and full disclosure of information?
  • Do you want to avoid internal family battles and conflict that may have long term ramifications?
  • Do you want to role model proactive, solutions focused problem solving to your children or social circles?
  • Do you want to be an active part of the solution?
  • Is accountability and responsibility in this process important to you?

What are the advantages of using tools like Our Family in Two Homes?

  • You retain control: The conversation is controlled by you and your (ex) partner(s) and what is important to you and your family.
  • Relationships are different but intact: Walk away with dignity and relationships which are different but intact.
  • Move at your pace: Move at your pace (compared to Court directed timetable).
  • Feel heard: a chance to tell your story.
  • Forward looking: this is an investment in the future of your family – albeit a different shape and feel to the one before.
  • Puts the human and the person at the centre of the process: retain dignity, confidence and respect.
  • It respects all kinds of relationships: The Our Family in Two Homes model respects all kinds of families – including Rainbow families, polyamorous relationships, cross border relationships and everything in between.
  • It helps put you and your (ex) partner(s) in a position to hold deeper discussions as time passes and the needs of your children (and your response to them) changes: Many couples want to improve communication strategies before, during and after separation and divorce to focus on the wellbeing of any children.
  • Communication friendly: healthy communication is vital to making a healthy transition to two (or more) homes. We can help you work together to put great communication building blocks in place. The workbook helps you prepare to have important conversations – with help! This way, you can ease tension and focus on what matters to you and your family.
  • It works: Our Family in Two Homes is successfully used by couples and families – regardless of gender, sexuality or number – all over the world.

You can reach legally binding outcomes

In the hands of the right legal and other professional experts and with the right outlook and state of mind, you and your partner can reach ‘amicable’, forward looking and legally binding outcomes on relationship breakdown.

Confidentiality is assured. 

The typical process for Our Family in Two Homes approach to divorce

Obviously, every family is different and the process you and your (ex) partner(s) follow will also be unique to you and the needs of your family. It is one of the fantastic things about using Our Family in Two Homes – it works around you! You may need fewer meetings than that outlined below – you may need more!

We can refer your (ex) partner(s) to trusted legal counsel who will work alongside us and you as part of this process.

The workbook is a resource that combines the knowledge of an experienced professional with a comprehensive workbook – to help you reach an agreement that works for your family.

Who is there?What is done?Pre / post meeting activity
Meeting one
We talk about:

  • You – what you want, your priorities, your wishes, your hopes etc
  • Your family and financial situation
  • The Our Family in Two Homes process
  • We introduce you to the Our Family in Two Homes workbook
You will be given a Our Family In Two Homes workbook to start working through. We recommend doing over a cup of tea or a glass of wine and making sure you make time for yourself to really think about the answers (this is only for pages 1 -13 of the booklet)
Meeting two
  • You
  • Your chosen Nicholes Family Lawyers lawyer
  • We will talk about what you want to achieve in terms of
    • Children
    • Property
    • Anything specific to your family
  • We will work through your answers to the workbook ONLY if you want to share them (pages 1 to 13 only at this stage)
  • We will prepare you for the meeting with your former partner(s) so you are mentally and emotionally prepared
  • We will discuss the remaining sections of the workbook that are relevant to your matter so you are well prepared for the next meeting with the other parties attending
  • You will be asked to come with some due diligence around:
    • Children’s needs
    • Property position (debt, super, assets – cash, real property and superannuation)
    • Expenses and income
Meeting three
  • You
  • Your Nicholes Family Lawyers lawyer
  • Your (ex) partner(s)
  • Your (ex) partner(s) and their lawyer
We will work through the workbook together. You do not have to show the workbook to your former partner or your lawyer but you will need to be open to discussion about the issues raised in it
Meeting four
  • You
  • Your Nicholes Family Lawyers lawyer
  • Your (ex) partner(s)
  • Your (ex) partner(s) and their lawyer
We will work through the workbook together. You do not have to show the workbook to your former partner or your lawyer but you will need to be open to discussion about the issues raised in it
Meeting five
  • You
  • Your Nicholes Family Lawyers lawyer
  • Your (ex) partner(s)
  • Your (ex) partner(s) and their lawyer
We will work through the workbook together. You do not have to show the workbook to your former partner or your lawyer but you will need to be open to discussion about the issues raised in it

The aim is to at this stage have reached a final resolution on all parenting and financial related issues and agree on what settlement documents are required and who will draw those up (generally this would be shared amongst the lawyers)

Final Meeting
  • You
  • Your Nicholes Family Lawyers lawyer
  • Your (ex) partner(s)
  • Your (ex) partner(s) and their lawyer
Settlement documents signed ready to be lodged in Court and/or with the Child Support Agency (where relevant)

Next steps

It is important to note that the Our Family in Two Homes approach will not suit everyone or every dispute. Neither party is under an obligation to adopt the approach. Either one party may use the workbook as a support tool or both may use it, which is recommended. Parties can cease using the toolkit at any stage.

If you would like to discuss the possibility of using the Our Family in Two Homes approach, please contact us to discuss on telephone +61 3 9670 4122 or via email at reception@nicholeslaw.com.au.