So... what now???

[3'llhavetodo]

So I think I have officially decided to leave.

What now?

We don't really have much $$ behind for me to move out. And I don't think the real estate will want to rent to me anyway as I'm pretty much a SAHM.

Ahhhh where do I start?

[GraceUnhearing]

what makes you think the realestate wont rent to you?
they cant not do that casue you're a sahm

have you spoken to centrelink about payments?

i was a single mum for three years and still got a house being a sahm with 2 kids

its hard its very hard but it can be and is done by alot of people

[Pax]

So I think I have officially decided to leave.

What now?

We don't really have much $$ behind for me to move out. And I don't think the real estate will want to rent to me anyway as I'm pretty much a SAHM.

Ahhhh where do I start?

where do you want to live? perhaps some here may be able to give practical support by recommending suburbs/areas that have cheap rentals

[Tam-I-Am]

First step, contact Centrelink. Make an appointment with a social worker to make sure that they can talk through all your options with you. Also contact Child Support Agency and inform them of your newly-single status. They will backdate payments to the date that you left, so you need to do that ASAP (only applies if you intend to have CSA collect for you. If you have a private arrangement and decide later to get CSA to collect, they can only collect from the date that you change the arrangement).

Look into any specialist women's domestic violence/victims of crime services in your region. They can be immensely helpful, especially in setting up counselling for you and provision of interim services. Salvation Army is also really good for this. If you want counselling but don't want to go the above route, make an appointment with your GP and have a Mental Health Plan done and get a referral to a psych - it will entitle you to 12 - 18 rebated sessions with a psychologist under Medicare. You may have a small out-of-pocket expense.

Contact the real estate agent and find out what the requirements for applying for a rental are, and get the rental lists. Get the required documents together.

At home, put together an emergency stash of things just in case things turn nasty. Put any precious photos, important documents like birth certificates, essential clothes, as much money as you can get together etc, and pack them so that they're easy to grab. Keep your mobile phone and car keys on you, or close to you at all times.

And take care of yourself.

[3'llhavetodo]

Wow Ok I start Monday

Do I have to have physically moved out to do all the official separation stuff

[Pax]

Wow Ok I start Monday

Do I have to have physically moved out to do all the official separation stuff

I am pretty sure with centrelink you do.

[3'llhavetodo]

GR8

[Amara]

No you dont have to be moved out. I think its called separated under the same roof or something like that. You do need to be separated though so sleeping in different beds or on the couch and not doing his laundry etc, living separate lives.

[Pax]

No you dont have to be moved out. I think its called separated under the same roof or something like that. You do need to be separated though so sleeping in different beds or on the couch and not doing his laundry etc, living separate lives.

Never used to be that way, when did that change?

[Bountiful]

As a sole parent, the best advice I can give is to take small steps, take it one day at a time. It can seem like an impossible task sometimes and it's easy to get overwhelmed (especially with all the nonsensical paperwork the Govt have you fill out), but you've taken the first step and that's the most important thing. Onwards and upwards from here.

There are lots of members here who care about and want to help you, that's plain to see. Best of luck with your new path