Grace never imagined her life would unfold like this. When she met Marco in 2013, she was recovering from a workplace accident that left her scarred inside and out. Marco was charming and professional, always knowing exactly what to say.
Within months Grace moved into his apartment. She had three adult children, and Marco had two of his own. Blending families was messy, but they managed, or so she thought.
The warning signs started small. A sharp remark over dinner. A fist slammed on the table. Marco’s glare whenever things did not go his way. Grace excused it at first. Stress, low blood sugar, it would pass. It did not. His anger became routine.
Marco soon controlled the money, the calendar and even her work hours. One night he told her she was away from home too much, so she cut back her shifts. They had just bought a run-down house that Marco wanted to renovate. He put Grace in charge of design. She chose tiles and scouted suppliers, but he rarely acknowledged the effort.
Then came the bruises. Hard grabs on her arms, painful enough to silence her. Afterward he whispered the same threat: no one will believe you, I know the local police. Grace withdrew further, hoping being quiet would keep the peace.
In 2016 Grace received a three-hundred-and-fifty-thousand-dollar compensation payout from her accident. Marco suddenly became more attentive. They travelled, and Grace paid most costs. He said he would reimburse the rest, but she never saw the receipts. Around the same time, he used a large inheritance to buy investment properties. Grace helped inspect sites and complete paperwork, yet Marco insisted she was “just helping” and had no claim.
The domestic violence escalated. One night in 2018 Grace refused sex and Marco dragged her off the couch, aggravating old fractures. Another night he tried to suffocate her with his hands wrapped around her neck. She kept no photos and filed no report. Fear and hope that he might change, held her back.
They separated in May 2020 after nearly seven years together. Grace stayed in one of the shared properties, but Marco made life difficult. Garden furniture blocked the door, a metal spike wedged into the frame, cards dropped in the letterbox reading ‘this house is mine! Leave.’ Grace’s eldest texted, “Mum, you OK?” She replied with a thumbs-up, afraid to say more.
She applied for an apprehended violence order. It was dismissed, yet the court later accepted evidence of abuse in the property case.
By the time that dispute reached trial Grace was exhausted. Legal fees had climbed past six hundred thousand dollars. Therapy sessions confirmed post-traumatic stress. Marco argued she deserved nothing because she had not paid mortgages or held title on the properties. The Judge disagreed. Relying on the Kennon principle, which lets a court adjust the split when family violence makes it harder for one partner to earn or keep property, the Judge recognised Grace’s non-financial contributions and the abuse she endured.
Grace received a share of the asset pool, less than she hoped but more than what Marco would have given her. The court found her honest and consistent, while Marco appeared combative and dismissive. His late affidavits were accepted but carried little weight.
The decision by the Judge did not erase lost years or heal deep scars, but it returned something vital: dignity, formal recognition of what happened, and a foundation to rebuild life on her own terms.
Facing financial control or family-violence issues in a property dispute can feel overwhelming. Unified Lawyers pairs sharp asset strategy with trauma-informed care to protect your future. Book a confidential consultation today and let us help you find a safer path forward.