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More than half of all separating people seek help to reach and formalise a financial settlement.
But for the vast majority, going to lawyers is usually not the best form of help. If you need assistance, it makes sense to try neutral, non-adversarial services first. Why? Because it's always much faster, less stressful and vastly less expensive than wading into the brutality of the legal system. Indeed, going to lawyers should be your last option, after you've tried everything else. We're Australia's leading specialist financial settlement firm. We're not lawyers. That means we can work neutrally for both of you, rather than just one side. We've helped thousands of separating couples to reach sensible agreements quickly and at a cost-effective price. How we can help
The best way to progress your settlement depends on where you have got to with your efforts so far.
Here are the most common scenarios separating people face. Chances are, your current situation matches one of them. We provide a specific service for each situation, to help you move forward. Which scenario best describes what you need? Scenario 1:
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Solution: An objective assessment of what's "normal" for you
Our “Range Read” Report Service provides you with an objective assessment of your situation, and shows you the sensible, normal range for a financial split between you. Drawing on detailed analysis of the largest surveys, court case reports and thousands of outcomes from Australian settlements, we prepare for you a personalised report showing your most sensible outcome range for a normal, fair settlement. That is, we explain what proportion of your wealth pool you should each expect to retain, based on your fact pattern. You can click here to learn more about the Range Read Service. Or you can use the Contact Form below to start a conversation with us. |
Scenario 2:
"We need a specific recommendation on how we should settle financially..."
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Solution: A detailed recommended settlement for you
Our “Settlement Report” is an objective assessment of your family’s financial situation, and shows how your “fact pattern” compares with other Australian families. That's followed by a specific recommendation on how the two of you should divide up each of your main assets and liabilities - ie houses, mortgages, cars, cash, investments, debts, superannuation, etc. It will give and your former partner a clear, logical proposal to consider. It's very effective: 85% of couple who receive a Settlement Report reach an agreement within days. You can click here to learn more about Settlement Reports. Or you can use the Contact Form below to start a conversation with us. |
Scenario 3:
"We need someone neutral to negotiate between us to come to an agreement..."
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Solution: A skilled mediator can help the two of you negotiate an agreement
If it’s just too hard to talk about settlement with each other, rest assured, that’s not unusual. Take the simple step of getting a neutral, impartial person to work with the two of you. Our Mediators are specialists in helping separating couples reach agreement. Mediators encourage you to voice your thoughts but also provide a practical and objective perspective about how to get a result so you can move on with certainty. If you both enter mediation with a willingness to listen and to be respectful of each other’s inputs and the Mediator’s experience, you have a very high probability of reaching an agreement - over 80% of mediations result in an agreement within 4 to 10 hours - far more effective than using lawyers, where agreements take an average of 15 months. You can click here to learn more about Mediation. Or you can use the Contact Form below to start a conversation with us. |
Scenario 4:
"Realistically, we're never going to agree. We just need someone to decide for us..."
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Solution: A formal binding decision, at a fraction of the cost of a court judgement
If the reality is that it’s next to impossible that the two of you can agree, then rather than drift along for years in frustrated limbo, you can indeed get someone to make a decision. You could ask a judge to do that, but it takes around $200,000 in legal fees and a 2 to 4 year wait to get to a judge. A much more sensible option is to ask an Arbitrator to help. Arbitration can be completed in a fraction of the time and cost of a court case and is legally binding. You can click here to learn more about Arbitration. Or you can use the Contact Form below to start a conversation with us. |
Scenario 5:
"We've reached an agreement and now we want to make it formal and legally binding..."
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Solution: Create formal documents to protect both of you
It’s very important that your agreed settlement “deal” is formalised in legally binding documents, particularly if your agreement includes property transfers, superannuation transfers or cash settlements. We provide a rapid, low cost Formal Documentation service for Consent Orders and Binding Financial Agreements - the only two forms that give you proper legal protection. The process is all done by phone and email, for your convenience. You can click here to learn more about Formal Documentation. Or you can use the Contact Form below to start a conversation with us. |
Don't we need lawyers?
Probably not. Some people mistakenly think that you must go to lawyers to get a financial settlement. That’s an option, but it’s a substantially more expensive, slower and more stressful path to choose.
Here's how your options compare:
Here's how your options compare:
As you can see, going to lawyers and court is the last option you should consider, only if you’ve tried everything else!
The average wealth of couples who choose to have their matter decided in Court is $2.8 million in the Federal Circuit Court and $6.8 million in the Family Court. If you have that sort of wealth, then maybe you can afford $200,000 in legal fees and maybe you'll be willing to wait up to 4 years to get your matter decided.
But most regular Australian families don't go that way - only around 1.3% of separating Australian couples end up getting a Court to decide. It just burns up far too much time, money and life energy. Those are all better spent with looking after your children and getting on with your career and your life.
The average wealth of couples who choose to have their matter decided in Court is $2.8 million in the Federal Circuit Court and $6.8 million in the Family Court. If you have that sort of wealth, then maybe you can afford $200,000 in legal fees and maybe you'll be willing to wait up to 4 years to get your matter decided.
But most regular Australian families don't go that way - only around 1.3% of separating Australian couples end up getting a Court to decide. It just burns up far too much time, money and life energy. Those are all better spent with looking after your children and getting on with your career and your life.
Some Client Feedback
“We’re so glad we worked through you people at Divorce Partners. We’re both satisfied with the agreement we reached, and it was far quicker than stories we’ve heard from friends who have gone through lawyers. Happily put that behind us so we can move on with our lives.”
Deirdre L, Victoria
“The Settlement Report was extremely helpful. It really helped us understand how settlements work and your recommended deal structure was spot on for us - really practical and we both agreed we think the outcome was fair.”
Alex B, South Australia
“Thank you for the Range Read report. It helped me understand that my expectations were a bit out of line and my ex and I agreed a settlement the week after we read the Report. Thanks again.”
Linda S, New South Wales
“That Settlement Report was the bomb! Super informative and gave us the complete picture. What you suggested we do was kind of what we were thinking but it was so reassuring to see that your objective view was mostly the same. We feel confident that our deal was fair. Really convenient that you guys can do our Consent Orders too, thanks!”
Pete K, Western Australia
“Our Mediator was great - so supportive and understanding but also I liked that she was frank and told us what we each needed to hear. It definitely hit me that we were wallowing around with all sorts of opinions but once we heard Veronica’s experience across hundreds of clients it made such a difference. My ex agreed he was being unreasonable on some parts and honestly I can see I was too. I tell anyone I meet who’s separating that they should come to you.”
Melanie R, ACT
“So simple and clear - cut through all the b***s*** and told us what we needed to hear. Can’t say we’ll ever be amicable again, but your service got the job done quickly and was very affordable compared to using lawyers! Very pleased, thanks all.”
Brian J, Queensland
Other Resources
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We provide a range of free information services to help you understand how settlements work.
You can click here to request helpful guides on parenting plans, settlement ranges, and formal documentation options, or see helpful videos. |
Make Contact
If you're looking for the lowest cost, lowest stress and most time-effective way to sort out your settlement, make contact. We'll answer any questions you have about our services and we're happy to discuss your situation with you. Use the form to let us know what you're interested in. We'll be in touch quickly.
If you just need to talk with someone...
If what you really want right now is to talk things through, sure, we can do that. A free 10 to 20 minute phone call with us will give you a much clearer perspective on your situation.
You can call us on 1300 975 994. Because we're often talking with other clients, you may have to leave a message. So it's usually better to just click here to book a time that's convenient for you.
You can call us on 1300 975 994. Because we're often talking with other clients, you may have to leave a message. So it's usually better to just click here to book a time that's convenient for you.
SETTLE FASTER
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