The Divorce Course Podcast29 Okt 2025

Business Tricks in Divorce: 10 Sneaky Tactics to Watch Out For and Outsmart!

Listen to this episode if...

You're divorcing or separating from someone who owns or runs a business.
You're in a family business with your ex and things are getting murky.
You suspect your ex is hiding assets or undervaluing the business.
You're overwhelmed by the complexity of business valuations in divorce.
You're preparing for mediation or court and want to understand your options.

📌 Legal Disclaimer: This episode is for general information only and is not legal advice. Please seek your own legal support for your specific circumstances.

Divorcing a business owner or running a business with your soon-to-be ex? You must hear this. In this eye-opening episode, Mum and I dive into the most common and sneaky tricks business owners use during separation and how to stay one step ahead.

From manipulating business valuations to hiding assets in clone companies, refusing disclosure, and even dragging staff into the mess, we break down each tactic with real-world examples and strategies you can use. Whether you're preparing for mediation or already deep in the property settlement process, this is a must-listen for anyone who suspects their ex isn't playing fair when a business is involved.

Episode Timeline Summary: Business Tricks in Divorce: 10 Sneaky Tactics to Watch Out For and Outsmart!

00:00 – Intro: Divorce and Business Ownership
Understanding why divorcing a business owner is uniquely challenging.

01:06 – Real-Life Divorce Scenarios with a Business Involved
What happens when you're in business with your ex—or they own one.

03:02 – Trick #1: Making the Business Seem Worthless
How business owners hide value before property settlement.

08:12 – Trick #2: Starting a New Business to Hide Assets
The "mirror business" strategy and how to uncover it.

09:26 – Trick #3: Issuing New Shares to Dilute Ownership
What to do when your share of the business suddenly shrinks.

12:41 – Trick #4: Hiding Income and Creating Fake Tax Debts
How income manipulation affects child support and property division.

17:58 – Trick #5: Refusing to Allow a Business Valuation
Steps to take when your ex delays or avoids business valuation.

19:58 – Legal Disclaimer: General Education Only
Reminder to seek personal legal advice for your situation.

20:39 – How Courts Handle Business Valuation & Disclosure
Why you don't need full financial disclosure to move forward.

21:31 – Trick #6: Cooking the Books & Cash Deals
Spotting hidden income, second books, and cash-based deception.

26:39 – Trick #7: Financial Abuse via Job Loss or Sacking
What to do when your ex cuts your income post-separation.

32:01 – Trick #8: Superannuation and Self-Managed Funds
Risks of SMSFs and how assets may be hidden or misused.

36:39 – Court Penalties for Business-Related Divorce Tricks
When shady business tactics backfire in property settlements.

40:36 – Listener Review & Free Coaching Call Giveaway
Shoutout to a listener + how to win a free call with Mum.

Resources

Central Practice Directions

https://www.fcfcoa.gov.au/fl/pd/fam-cpd

Free Disclosure Checklist

https://www.thedivorcecourse.com.au/disclosurechecklist

Shinohara & Shinohara [2025] FedCFamC1A 126 (23 July 2025)

https://www.austlii.edu.au/cgi-bin/viewdoc/au/cases/cth/FedCFamC1A/2025/126.html

Shamon & Shamon [2025] FedCFamC1A 150 (8 September 2025)

https://www.austlii.edu.au/cgi-bin/viewdoc/au/cases/cth/FedCFamC1A/2025/150.html

Episode Links

Your Business and Divorce (old episode)

https://open.spotify.com/episode/0CwIeW1ZHTphzvhPdlq2Bf?si=JCtAHG7NTom5YSceqdSJ2Q

Weapons of Tax Destruction

https://open.spotify.com/episode/1Bvc2JFmgcLMpIZLIXEwVR?si=KT3UdjZRQAWjDRp3EMXhiw

DIY Disclosure

https://open.spotify.com/episode/49yOIB1GLDmXgeZCXkfyJS?si=nhgq3QQlQge-CSYLkMGKBg

🚨 Support Services:

1800 RESPECT (Family Violence Support – Australia)
Lifeline: 13 11 14 (Crisis Support – Australia)

📌 Legal Disclaimer: This episode is for general information only and is not legal advice. Please seek your own legal support for your specific circumstances.

Det här avsnittet är hämtat från ett öppet RSS-flöde och publiceras inte av Podme. Det kan innehålla reklam.

Avsnitt(268)

4 Ways to Agree in Divorce or De Facto Separation but Only One Is Legally Binding.

🎧 LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE IF… You and your ex wrote something down, signed it, and you think it is sorted You spent a full day in mediation and signed a heads of agreement You have a parenting p...

17 Aug 45min

Healing After Coercive Control: Getting Yourself Back After Divorce

You left. So why doesn't it feel over yet? 🎧 Listen to this episode if… • You've left, but the healing and closure you expected haven't arrived yet • You can't tell which parts of your anxiety are ...

12 Aug 1h 7min

Property or Parenting First? Does the Order Actually Matter in Divorce Negotiations?

🎧 Listen to this episode if… • Your ex has said they will not discuss money until parenting is agreed • You are not sure whether to sort property or parenting first, or both together • You are sep...

11 Aug 51min

How Do I Prove Coercive Control? The Evidence That Actually Counts

You know it was abuse. But written down, each moment sounds small. This is the episode about proving it. Part 5 of our six-part coercive control series with clinical psychologist Krasi Kirova. Mum and...

5 Aug 1h 13min

Navigating the Family Home in Separation

Are you about to separate and have absolutely no idea what happens to the house? Do you keep it? Do you sell it? Do you have to be the one who leaves? And what happens to the mortgage? 🎧 Listen to th...

4 Aug 1h 1min

Neurodivergent Kids & Divorce

🎧 LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE IF… • You're parenting a child with autism, ADHD or suspected neurodivergence through a separation • You don't know how to tell a literal thinker that their parents are split...

28 Juli 58min

Big or Small Property Pool? How Size Changes Your Divorce Settlement

🎧 Listen to this episode if… • You've been told your property pool is "too big" or "too small" to bother negotiating • You're weighing up whether to accept an offer or go to court, and it doesn't fee...

22 Juli 27min

Coercive Control and Your Kids: How to Protect Your Children From a Coercively Controlling Co-Parent

🎧 Listen to this episode if… - You've left a coercively controlling relationship and your biggest fear is what it will do to your kids - You're wondering why your children can't see the abuse, or see...

21 Juli 1h 19min