|
| Change your login details
| You should change your: - bank login details and PINs
- email passwords
- social media login details
- app account passwords, such as the App store and Google play
- government account passwords, such as MyGov and Opal
- online shopping passwords
- cloud storage passwords
- utility account passwords and PINs.
|
| Change your email address
| If you share an email account with your spouse, you may want to get your own email. If you are going to get a lawyer, you must make sure all correspondence is confidential. If you are going to communicate with your lawyer via email, you must ensure that your spouse can’t access your emails.
|
| Change your postal address
| If you are moving out of the property, you may want to: - update your postal address
- redirect your mail to your new address
- get a post office box.
If you are going to get a lawyer, you must make sure that all correspondence from your lawyer is confidential. You should also update your driver licence and vehicle registration.
|
| Update your rental agreement
| If you and your spouse were renting a property when you separated, you may want to: - remove your name from the rental agreement, if you are moving out of the property
- remove your spouse’s name from the rental agreement, if you are staying at the property.
If you are leaving the property, you will still be responsible for paying rent unless you remove your name from the agreement.
|
| Contact your bank
| You may want to contact your bank about:- cancelling any bank or credit cards that your spouse can use to access your accounts
- opening your own bank account - you should do this if you are concerned that your spouse may take your wages once they have been paid to you
- closing any joint accounts that are no longer being used, especially if these accounts have monthly fees
- placing a limit on any joint credit cards
- cancelling any redraw facilities on your home loan, or setting up co-signing to redraw money
- arranging for statements and correspondence to be sent to your new address, if you have moved.
For more information you should speak to a financial counsellor. You should speak to a lawyer about: - joint debts, or
- debts in your name that your spouse is responsible for.
|
| Update your utility accounts
| You should update your utility accounts if: - you have moved out of the property, remove your name from the utility accounts
- your spouse has moved out of the property, transfer the utility accounts into your name.
|
| Update your insurance policies
| You should update your insurance policies, including: - home
- contents
- motor vehicle
- health.
If you have moved, you should arrange for statements and correspondence to be sent to your new address.
You don’t want your spouse to: - make claims against your insurance policies that could affect your coverage or fees
- cancel you policies.
|
|
| Update your beneficiaries
| You should update your beneficiaries listed on your: - superannuation
- will
- life insurance policy.
If you have appointed a Power of Attorney and/or Enduring Guardian, you may need to update these as well.
|
|
| Review your income
| Contact  Services Australia to find out if you are entitled to payments and services, or child support.
Get legal advice about spousal maintenance. If you have concerns about your financial situation, you should contact the National Debt Helpline to speak to a financial counsellor.
|
|
| Collect information and documents
| When you separate from your partner, you will need the following information: - date of separation
- a list of all assets owned by both you and your spouse.
It will also be helpful to have the original or copies of the following documents belonging to you and/or your spouse: - Marriage Certificate
- Birth Certificate
- passports
- car registration certificates
- insurance policies – CTP, comprehensive motor vehicle, home, contents and life insurance
- bank account statements - for all accounts owned solely or jointly by you or your spouse
- credit card statements
- superannuation member statements
- share statements
- payslips.
If you or your spouse own a business or have an interest in a trust, it will be helpful to have the original or copies of the following documents: - tax returns and notices of assessment
- financial statements
- trust deeds
- bank account statements
- general ledger accounts and reconciliations.
|