Whether you were married or in a de facto relationship, separating your finances is an important part of moving forward.
A property settlement legally formalises how your property, assets, debts and superannuation are divided after separation.
The process is largely the same for married and de facto couples. The main difference is the time limit that may apply.
You don’t need to wait for a divorce to finalise your property settlement and you don’t need to have been married.
At Simple Separation, we help married and de facto couples reach agreement and legally formalise their property settlement through a simple, structured fixed-fee process.
The right solution depends on your individual requirements and we recommend starting with a free consultation.
Property Settlement
Made Simple for Married and De Facto Couples
Is Simple Separation right for me?
Property Settlement
with One Clear Fixed Fee
Property Settlement Packages start at $2,899 + gst per individual.
Our fixed-fee service comes with flexible payment plans to suit your needs
*All legal services are provided at a fixed fee through our select panel of third party law firms.
Separation Ready
Separation Ready is designed for couples who have already reached a private agreement and are ready to formalise their property settlement.
This streamlined pathway includes the essential legal and practical steps needed to ensure your agreement is properly documented, legally valid, and enforceable - without the excessive cost of traditional legal processes—so you can move forward with confidence.
Below is a simplified 4-step overview of our process, designed to give you a quick and easy understanding of how we work.
*Independent legal advice for both parties is included in your fixed-fee package
How ‘Separation Ready’ helps you formalise your Property Settlement?
01
Preparation
We will prepare a Joint Balance Sheet and Heads of Agreement, clearly outlining all assets, liabilities, and how you both intend to divide your property.
02
Financial Disclosure
Full financial disclosure is then collated to ensure transparency and support a legally sound agreement, helping validate your settlement and reduce the risk of issues later on.
03
Legal Advice
Independent legal advice for both parties will be provided to help ensure your agreement reached privately reflects your wishes, is legally robust, and structured correctly.
04
Legalise
Your settlement agreement will be professionally drafted and reviewed with your independent legal practitioner before signing, ensuring it is legally sound.
Separation Assist
Separation Assist is designed for couples who need additional support, guidance, and mediation to reach agreement on their property settlement.
This pathway brings together all the essential steps—including mediation, legal support, and formal documentation—to help you work toward a fair and equitable outcome, then formalise your agreement with confidence.
Below is a simplified 6-step overview of our process, designed to give you a quick and easy understanding of how we work.
*Legal advice is provided by Independent legal practitioners. Fees are included in the fixed fee package.
How ‘Separation Assist’ supports you to reach a Property Settlement
01
Preparation
We will draft a Joint Balance Sheet that incorporates all assets and liabilities in the relationship.
02
Financial Disclosure
Full financial disclosure is then collated to ensure transparency and support a legally sound agreement, helping validate your settlement and reduce the risk of issues later on.
03
Legal Advice
Independent legal advice will be provided to both parties to help you understand what may be considered just and equitable in your particular circumstances, empowering you to make informed decisions and feel well prepared for mediation.
04
Model Proposals
We prepare each party for mediation, working one-on-one to align proposals with objectives and legal advice.
05
Mediate
We will conduct respectful mediation(s) to help you reach a settlement agreement, tailoring the approach (joint or shuttle) to best suit the couple's needs.
06
Legalise
Your settlement agreement will be legally drafted, and you'll review it with your assigned legal practitioner prior to signing, guaranteeing its legal integrity and alignment with your interests and rights
Is Simple Separation right for me?
Not sure which pathway suits your situation? Take our short quiz to find out.
FAQ’s
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Under the Family Law Act, a party to a de facto relationship can apply for a property settlement within two years of the relationship ending. Outside this period, the application can only be made with court permission.
There are conditions that must be met for a de facto party who wishes to apply for property settlement
At least one of the following conditions must be met:
the de facto relationship must have lasted a minimum of two years
a child exists because of the de facto relationship (must be a child to both parties)
substantial contributions were made to the assets or the welfare of the family by the Applicant and failing to make an order would result in a serious injustice to the applicant
the relationship is registered
If at least one of these conditions is met, the Family Law Act provisions can apply, however we recommend legal advice with one of our preferred panel of independent legal practitioners as every situation is different and the amount of your entitlement, if any, can vary on a case by case basis.
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A De facto property agreement is a document that sets out how you and your former partner will divide up your property.
What are the advantages of negotiating a De facto property settlement?
It minimises the cost of lawyers and avoids an adversarial court process.
It allows you to be part of the process rather than having a decision imposed on you by court.
It can provide a speedy resolution
There is likely to be less emotional toll or impact on children.
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• Fair Division of Assets
• Peace of Mind
• Financial independence from the other party
• Legally binding and enforceable
• Protection from future claims
• Superannuation can be divided
• Stamp Duty and Capital Gains tax relief
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Yes! With Simple Separation, you can choose to pay for our affordable service outright, or choose to pay it off in smaller payments (up to 12 months - with no intrest of application or fees).
Why Choose Simple Separation?
01
Cost-effective and quicker pathway to separate. Our fixed pricing saves couples thousands in legal fees. (4 - 8 week average timeframe).
02
A guided & personalised service from start to finish, so you can separate with less stress and feel supported along the way.
03
A fair process that assists couples reach agreements respectfully with minimal conflict, in turn preserving the wellbeing of you and your family.
04
Accessible Australia-wide in country, rural and metro areas.
05
One-stop shop service offering a range of services from our preferred panel, of third party providers, eg Conveyancers, Estate planners, Family Law mediators and lawyers.
06
All legal advice and agreements provided by independent Family Law solicitors committed to preventing a lengthy legal battle.