ducks in a row
Practical, family law tools for people
navigating separation and divorce
Practical, family law tools for people
navigating separation and divorce
We connect people with the information and tools they need to navigate separation and divorce with more clarity and less conflict.
We share and promote resources for people going through separation, including:
📖 Ducks in a Row — a practical handbook for separating people, covering everything from parenting arrangements to property settlement, financial agreements, and the practical steps no one tells you about.
📱 A co-parenting communication app — built to help separating parents stay organised, communicate more effectively, and keep track of the things that matter most. Court-ready if that becomes necessary.
🔒 A secure financial disclosure exchange — a safe, structured way for separating couples to share and verify financial information without the back-and-forth. Save on lawyer fees by providing an organised zip drive and index.
🧮 An asset division calculator — a practical tool to help people work through how property and assets might be divided, before involving lawyers.
We believe good information, early, makes a real difference — reducing conflict, cost, and confusion for separating families.
The tools have all been developed in Australia by an IT expert who wanted better tools during his divorce and a family law lawyer with over 15 years of experience.
We specialize in providing expert legal advice on property and parenting matters that arise during separation. Our focus is on early resolution, helping you achieve the best possible outcome in the most efficient and cost-effective way.
Our blog offers unbiased information on the issues that commonly affect separating couples and provides guidance on navigating the family law system. Stay informed with our up-to-date content and practical advice.
A recent Full Court decision, Voight & Zunino [2025] FedCFamC1A 201 provides some guidance, but it can’t necessarily be applied to all circumstances.
The case involved a seven-year de facto relationship, a farming business worth many millions of dollars, and a relationship where almost all of the capital sat in one party’s name.
The Court, on appeal, ordered a payment to the other party, but only to achieve 3% of the pool in their favour.
If you’re going through a separation, one of the biggest questions is often: what happens to money that’s spent before the property settlement is finalised?
For many years, the courts used a concept called “add backs” to deal with this issue. However, a recent decision of the Full Court in Shinohara v Shinohara [2025] FedCFamC1A 126 has changed the way the law approaches money spent after separation but before a property settlement is complete.
Despite the passage of 12 years since the Stanford decision, a common misconception persists that the asset pool is automatically divided 50/50 following a relationship breakdown. There is no default position of equal division, and in some cases, the court finds that no adjustment is required at all.
During a traumatic time Bonnie Esposito guided me, rather than directed me through a very emotional and unfamiliar process. I was provided with advice, particular to my situation, rather than being forced down a one size fits all approach. Being involved in the decision making enhanced my awareness of the process and alleviated many of my fears. Thanks Bonnie for your professionalism and support throughout my separation and divorce.
Bonnie immediately made me feel understood and reassured that I had found the right person to provide me with help and advice. I have never had to deal with a legal issue before, and that combined with it being related to my past experience with domestic violence made the whole experience very confronting and scary for me. I can't thank Bonnie enough for her expert and caring assistance through a difficult process.
Separating from a long term relationship has definitely been the most difficult 18 months of my life.I needed specialist help and thankfully was referred to Bonnie. I find Bonnie to be at all times professional, compassionate, pragmatic ( excellent knowledge of how the system works - I had no idea!), strong ( when I was not), able to deal with challenging behaviours " from "the other side" with experienced non judgement included and helpful advice, unbelievable patient ( took at least 3 explanations for me get it.), looked for the lowest but best options for multiple court appearances, ensured all documents were done on time and always open and honest in style. Bonnie, through her hard work, has brought hope again to my life. I highly recommended her services.and wish her and her team all the best.