At Affinity Lawyers, we know that when a separation occurs it can be a stressful, emotional time for parties and often during this time, parties are not aware, or fail to consider important financial or personal matters which require consideration and urgent action to protect their interests.
While we strongly recommend obtaining legal advice at the earliest juncture, there are things you can do in the interim to protect your interests prior to seeking the advice of a lawyer.
- If you have joint credit cards, consider cancelling them to ensure that further expenses are not incurred by your spouse;
- Ensure that the original documentation in respect of joint assets (including the house, cars, bank accounts/mortgage paperwork) is in a safe place (not at residential premises) and that you have copies of any relevant paperwork;
- Contact the bank to discuss changing your bank account passwords and have all correspondence and bank statements directed to you at an address to which you have access to (if you have vacated the family home);
- Terminate any existing powers of attorney and consider reviewing your will;
- Consider and review your superannuation benefit arrangements;
- Ensure that any joint accounts require two signatories.
Please note that this is not an exhaustive checklist, and each individual circumstance requires consideration and specific legal advice. Please contact one of our friendly team on 07 5630 6888 to arrange an initial consultation with one of our solicitors, free of charge, to discuss your matter.
