Surviving THE SPLIT

How to divorce amicably and avoid drama

- 

When Deborra-lee Furness and Hugh Jackman first announced their separation in 2023, it seemed like the blueprint for a graceful split. “We have been blessed to share almost three decades together as husband and wife in a wonderful, loving marriage. Our journey now is shifting and we have decided to separate to pursue our individual growth,” they said in a joint statement.

At the time, it read like a mutual, dignified parting. But as with anything in life - and love - there’s often another side to the story. Two years on, Furness called the split a “journey of betrayal”, hinting it was less than civil behind the scenes. The couple have now officially filed for divorce.

So what happens when a seemingly amicable split turns ugly? We asked family lawyer Cassandra Kalpaxis how to navigate a divorce with grace. “A low-conflict divorce doesn’t mean there was no pain,” she explains. “It means you’ve chosen to navigate that pain with dignity and maturity.”

CAUSES FOR A MESSY DIVORCE