Written by Slater & Gordon's national head of family law, Ian Shann, Know Where You Stand provides practical tips and resources with a strong emphasis on reducing stress and not wasting money.

"This book is my attempt to explain family law in everyday language and to make it understandable and accessible," said Shann. "It's not a book for lawyers - it's a book for users of the family law system."

The plain English guide to separation for married and de facto couples draws on Shann's professional and personal experiences, including the breakdown of his first marriage - after which he upgraded his legal qualifications to handle his own family law case and later decided he wanted to practice family law full-time.

"[The guide] does not pretend to be anything other than a straightforward explanation of why it's best to resolve disputes and how to resolve them - and when that's not possible, sensible and rational ways to work through the system," said Shann.