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Family Breakdown

When a family separates, joint finances including any loans may need to be untangled. Find out what you can do to understand the process and minimise stress.
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Diane’s Story: Family breakdown

Diane is in her twenties. Two years ago her then partner coerced her into getting a car loan of $50,000 from an online lender. Diane ended the relationship after the loan was entered. She was able to recover the car from her ex-partner. Diane instructed us that the car had been exclusively used by her ex-partner and while she ended up making the loan repayments, she could only do so with substantial hardship.

We raised a dispute on the grounds that the loan was unsuitable and unjust. We negotiated that Diane surrender the car and the significant shortfall was waived.

family breakdown

When to get help

Read through the fact sheets below and use the sample letters selected. There are lots of things to worry about when you are going through a family breakdown. Let us help with debt problems. Give us a call if you don’t know where to start or can’t find a solution for your problem. These are some of the common problems that arise:

  • You have a joint debts or joint assets with your ex and you need time to get advice and work through the situation
  • You can’t afford to pay your debts now that you are separated
  • You no longer live in the family home but the old utility bills are still in your name
  • You have separated from your partner but none of the insurance policies are in your name, can you still make a claim
  • Your partner pressured you into putting a lot of his debts into your name
  • There was financial abuse or domestic violence

Fact Sheets

These fact sheets include legal information which can help you navigate untangling joint finances when leaving a relationship.

Sample Letters

These sample letters will help you to draft an email to lenders or insurers where you need let them know about your situation.

Contact Us

If you need to speak to a financial counsellor you can call the National Debt Helpline on 1800 007 007

  • Monday to Friday 9.30am – 4.30pm (Sydney time)
  • Please note, the National Debt Helpline is answered by both Financial Rights (our service) and Uniting (NSW.ACT) which is based in Dubbo and provides telephone financial counselling, but does not have solicitors available. Our services are run separately, neither service has access to any information or advice given to or by the other service.

If you have an urgent legal problem call our Financial Rights Legal Advice Line on 1800 844 949 (NSW)

  • Monday to Friday 10am – 1pm (Sydney time)

If you are experiencing or recovering from abuse please visit our Financial Abuse webpage.

External Resources

Separating with Debt Guide

Money and Property: Working out how to divide your money and property after a relationship breakdown

Getting divorced or separating

 

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Joanna was so helpful and was able to remind me of my rights and next steps. In addition to confirming I was managing well. Also provided other information I was not aware of, thank you.