Jason Given
Director & Mortgage Broker at Lendology. MFPA designated, MFAA member. Specialises in separation finance across Australia.
By Jason Given - April 2026 - 6 min read
Take a breath. You do not need to make every decision right now. This guide covers the essential financial steps for the first 48 hours - the things that protect you and keep your options open.
If you do not already have an individual account, open one today. Redirect your salary to it. This is not about hiding money - it is about ensuring you have access to funds regardless of what happens with joint accounts.
Take screenshots of all joint account balances, mortgage balances, credit card balances, superannuation balances, and any investment accounts. Do this today before anything changes. Save them somewhere only you can access.
Even if you feel it is unfair, keep all joint debt payments current. A missed payment goes on both credit files and stays there for 2 years. Protect your credit now - sort out fairness later through the settlement process.
Change passwords on your personal email, banking apps, and any accounts your partner has access to. This is a practical safety step, not an adversarial one.
Want to know how this applies to your situation?
Book a confidential chat with Jason or Steve. No cost, no obligation.
Book a confidential chatList every asset and every debt - jointly and individually. Property values, mortgage balances, super balances, savings, car values, credit cards, personal loans. You need this for any settlement discussion.
Before you talk to a lawyer, talk to a broker. Knowing what you can borrow on your own income shapes everything - what you can keep, what you need to sell, and what your settlement position looks like. This conversation is confidential and at no cost.
Find a family lawyer. Many offer an initial consultation at no cost or reduced fee. Do not sign anything or agree to any property split without legal advice first. If you cannot afford a lawyer, contact Legal Services Commission SA for assistance.
Use the post-separation budget calculator to understand what your life costs on your income alone. This is confronting but essential - you need to know the number.
Lendology - confidential separation finance advice: 08 8270 5138
National Debt Helpline - financial counselling: 1800 007 007
Family Relationship Advice Line: 1800 050 321
1800RESPECT - if you feel unsafe: 1800 737 732
Legal Services Commission SA: 1300 366 424
Open an individual bank account immediately and redirect your income to it.
Do not withdraw large sums from joint accounts without legal advice, as this may complicate settlement negotiations. Note the balances on all joint accounts and debts on the day of separation for your records.
Start with both as early as possible, but a lawyer first if there are safety concerns or urgent legal matters.
A mortgage broker can assess your borrowing capacity early, which helps your lawyer negotiate realistic settlement terms. Both consultations are typically free for the initial conversation.
We are not just explaining the process. We arrange the actual finance: refinancing into your sole name, funding a partner buyout, or setting up a new loan independently after settlement. We work with a panel of over 60 lenders to find the one that fits your situation.
Once the legal side of your property settlement is resolved, the next step is usually a financial one. That is where we come in.
Jason and Steve also help clients with first home loans, refinancing, and investment lending at lendology.com.au.
True wellbeing begins at home.
Book a time with Jason or Steve. Confidential. No cost. No obligation.