Dear Divorce Diary - With Daz & Jop

This week Darren Mort and Joplin Higgins sit down to unpack the headlines around an alleged family violence attack and strangulation involving a reality TV figure in Noosa, and ask a bigger question: what role do these shows play in normalising toxic, violent behaviour? From the editing to the casting to the alcohol at those late-night dinner parties, Darren and Joplin argue the real perpetrators might be the production companies themselves.

It’s a frank, fired-up conversation about Married at First Sight, The Bachelor, Farmer Wants a Wife and more, and why Darren and Jo...

In this episode of Dear Divorce Diaries, family law experts Darren Mort (Family Law Barrister) and Joplin Higgins (Family Law Solicitor) explore one of the most emotionally charged and increasingly common issues in modern separation: what happens to pets during divorce?

With a special guest appearance from “Buddy” 🐶, the conversation unpacks how Australian family law now treats pets—legally defined as “companion animals”—and what that means for separating couples.

The episode opens with a major legal update:

In this episode of Dear Divorce Diaries, family law experts Darren Mort (Family Law Barrister) and Joplin Higgins (Family Law Solicitor) unpack one of the most emotionally charged and legally risky issues in parenting disputes: withholding children when court orders are in place—or when they’re about to be made.

Through candid discussion, practical legal insight, and real courtroom dynamics, the episode explores when (if ever) a parent can justify not complying with parenting orders, and what consequences follow when they do.

In this emotionally charged and deeply practical episode of Dear Divorce Diary, Darren Mort and Joplin Higgins tackle one of the most heartbreaking and legally complex issues in family law: relocation after separation.

What happens when one parent wants to move interstate… or overseas… with the children?

Can the court stop a parent from leaving Australia?

Does a mother or father have the “right” to move home?

What happens when children are caught between two countries, two cultures, and two parents who both love them?

Through a powerful role-play scenario...

In one of the most confronting and candid episodes of Dear Divorce Diary so far, Darren Mort and Joplin Higgins tackle a topic rarely spoken about openly in family law — pornography, addiction, intimacy, coercion, and the impact it can have on marriages, parenting, finances, and divorce proceedings.

This is not a sensationalist conversation. It’s a nuanced and thoughtful discussion about how pornography increasingly appears in affidavit material, relationship breakdowns, financial disputes, coercive control allegations, and parenting concerns inside the family court system.

Darren and Jop explore the difficult reality that pornography itself is not ille...

In this powerful and deeply practical episode of Dear Divorce Diary, Darren Mort and Joplin Higgins unpack one of the most misunderstood parts of the family law system — mediation.

After receiving a flood of listener messages and social media comments, Darren and Jop dive into the reality of Family Dispute Resolution (FDR), court-ordered mediation, shuttle negotiations, coercive control during mediation, and whether the system is genuinely helping separating families — or simply creating another layer of trauma.

From unsafe mediation experiences to “tick-box” certificates, legally assisted negotiations, family violence dynamics, and the emotional pressure placed on victim s...

In this practical and highly informative episode of Dear Divorce Diary, family law barrister Darren Mort and family lawyer Joplin Higgins answer one of the most common questions sent in by listeners navigating the family law system without legal representation.

Drawing directly from a listener question submitted through social media, Darren and Joplin unpack the reality of preparing for a final hearing in the Family Court as a self-represented litigant.

This episode delivers real-world insight, courtroom practicalities, and critical guidance for people trying to navigate one of the most stressful legal processes of their lives.<...

⚠️ Trigger Warning:

This episode contains discussions surrounding coercive control, family violence, emotional abuse, psychological harm, victim survival responses, and trauma-informed legal practice.

Listener discretion is advised.

In this deeply important follow-up episode of Dear Divorce Diary, family law barrister Darren Mort and family lawyer Joplin Higgins revisit one of the most confronting and misunderstood topics in family law: coercive control.

Responding directly to a listener message sent via TikTok following their earlier episode on coercive and controlling behaviour, Darren and Joplin unpack one of the most common — and harmful — public questions surround...

In this brutally honest and often darkly humorous episode of Dear Divorce Diary, Darren Mort (Family Law Barrister) and Joplin Higgins (Practising Family Lawyer) dive into one of the biggest modern dangers in separation and divorce proceedings — social media.

From angry Facebook rants and passive-aggressive memes to dating app disasters, GoFundMe controversies and children being exposed to online conflict, this episode explores how social media behaviour can seriously damage:

Daz & Jop explain why courts are increasingly examining online behaviour under a microscope — and why one impulsive post can be...

⚠️ Trigger Warning

This episode contains detailed discussion surrounding:

Listener discretion is strongly advised.

In one of the most confronting and emotionally powerful episodes of Dear Divorce Diary, Darren Mort (Family Law Barrister) and Joplin Higgins (Practising Family Lawyer) tackle the deeply serious topic of strangulation within intimate relationships — and why it is considered one of the strongest indicators of future lethality in domestic violence situations.

Drawing on their extensive experience within the family law and co...

In this thought-provoking episode of Dear Divorce Diary, Darren Mort (Family Law Barrister) and Joplin Higgins (Practising Family Lawyer) tackle one of the most emotionally charged issues in family law: extra-marital affairs and their impact on separation and divorce.

Although Australia operates under a no-fault divorce system, Daz and Jop explore why affairs can still play a significant role in the breakdown of relationships, family dynamics, parenting arrangements, and even allegations of coercive and controlling behaviour.

The discussion moves beyond the traditional concept of infidelity and examines how affairs can become intertwined with:<...

Coercive and controlling behaviour is one of the most complex and widely discussed issues in family law today.

In this episode of Dear Divorce Diary, family law professionals Darren Mort and Joplin Higgins explore how this behaviour appears in relationships, how it is interpreted in the court system, and why it can be difficult to prove.

Through an unscripted role-play scenario, Darren and Joplin demonstrate how two people in the same relationship can experience the same situation very differently.

The discussion highlights how patterns of behaviour—rather than isolated incidents—are often the...

Money can become one of the most confusing and confronting aspects of separation and divorce.

In this episode of Dear Divorce Diary, family law experts Darren Mort (Family Law Barrister) and Joplin Higgins (Family Law Solicitor) unpack the importance of financial literacy when navigating property settlements.

They explore why many people (particularly women) enter divorce proceedings with little understanding of their financial position, and why gaining clarity around assets, debts, and superannuation is critical before negotiating a settlement.

From balance sheets and disclosure obligations to mediation preparation and superannuation splits, this episode...

What happens when someone simply ignores Family Court orders?

In this episode, Darren and Joplin unpack one of the most frustrating situations in family law: when a parent refuses to comply with parenting orders or consent orders.

They discuss what the law says, what practical options exist for the parent doing the right thing, and why non-compliance can create serious consequences - particularly for children caught in the middle.

The conversation also explores whether the current legal tools for enforcing orders are effective, and why some legal processes may be more costly...

In this deeply insightful episode of Dear Divorce Diaries, family law barrister Darren “Daz” Mort and solicitor Joplin “Jop” Higgins tackle one of the most emotionally charged and misunderstood topics in family law: the role of grandparents after separation.

Prompted by a wave of listener questions, Daz and Jop unpack the common misconception that grandparents have “rights” in the family law system — and explain why, legally, all rights belong to the child.

What grandparents do have, however, are responsibilities, and in many cases a profoundly important role in a child’s emotional stability, routine and sens...

In Episode 6 of Dear Divorce Diaries, Darren “Daz” Mort and Joplin “Jop” Higgins dive into a topic that is often misunderstood and frequently misused in family law — trauma-informed practice.

Daz & Jop explain why this term is not just a trendy buzzword, and why many lawyers and judicial officers may not truly understand what it means in practice. Joplin, a recognised expert in the field and author of a book on trauma-informed practice, explains how lawyers and courts must ensure they do not re-traumatise clients during the legal process.

The episode explores the practical applicatio...

In Episode 5 of Dear Divorce Diaries, Darren “Daz” Mort and Joplin “Jop” Higgins tackle one of the most important decisions people make during separation: how to choose the right family lawyer.

The episode opens with the hosts explaining the podcast rules: they can’t provide direct legal advice, but they can discuss themes based on listener questions. The conversation is driven by questions submitted via TikTok and Instagram, focusing on the core issue of selecting a lawyer who will genuinely support you through the family law process.

Joplin explains that the relationship between client and...

In Episode 4 of Dear Divorce Diaries, Joplin Higgins and Darren “Daz” Mort return to answer listener questions and discuss some of the most emotionally charged issues in family law — especially change of residence and how the court evaluates parenting capacity.

Daz & Jop begin by reminding listeners of the podcast’s ground rules: they will discuss themes, not give direct legal advice, and they won’t discuss specific people or cases. Most listeners are navigating family law for the first time, so the hosts aim to provide clarity and support in a confusing process.

The conver...

In Episode 3 of Dear Divorce Diaries, Darren “Daz” Mort and Joplin “Jop” Higgins explore the emotional realities behind family law — and why separation feels like uncharted territory for most people.

They explain that many separated parents unintentionally make mistakes because they simply don’t know what to do — and then they’re judged for it in court.

This episode goes beyond legal process and dives into the human story behind family breakdowns, revealing how family lawyers often become lifelong supports for clients and children. Darren shares his personal journey — from growing up through family breakdown and fina...

In Episode 2 of Dear Divorce Diaries, Darren “Daz” Mort and Joplin “Jop” Higgins discuss one of the most critical topics in family law: co-parenting after separation.

With years of courtroom experience, they explain why only a small percentage of cases actually need to go to trial, and why many families would benefit from avoiding court entirely—both emotionally and financially.

Daz and Jop focus on keeping the child at the centre of every decision, explaining that even if parents hate each other, they still share a lifelong responsibility to their children. They reference the “Tommy...

Episode 1: An Introduction – About Joplin Higgins & Darren Mort

In this opening episode of Dear Divorce Diary, family law barrister Darren “Daz” Mort and family lawyer Joplin “Jop” Higgins introduce themselves, the purpose of the podcast, and the values that sit at the heart of their work. Drawing on decades spent “at the coalface” of the family law system, they explain why separation and divorce don’t have to be driven by conflict, fear or financial ruin.

Daz and Jop speak candidly about the realities of family breakdown — the emotional toll, the cost, and the long-term impa...

When a relationship ends, it can feel like the world is breaking apart — legally, emotionally and practically. The Dear Divorce Diary Podcast exists to guide you through that difficult landscape with clarity, compassion and a child-focused mindset.

Each episode, Darren “Daz” Mort and Joplin “Jop” Higgins draw on their extensive experience within the family law system to unpack what separation and divorce really look like — not just on paper, but in real life.

They believe that families deserve dignity, children deserve protection, and adults deserve guidance that is calm, respectful and grounded in expertise ra...