Compassionate financial advice all lifes transitions: divorce, loss of a spouse, inheritance and TPD claims

Navigating sudden life changes requires a steady hand. We provide compassionate, clear financial advice for all of lifes big transitions such as divorce settlements, loss of a spouse, managing an inheritance or insurance payout.

Navigating change

Sometimes life changes overnight. When this happens, managing the emotional fatigue can make the simplest tasks feel like climbing Everest.

Whether you have lost a partner, received a life-changing inheritance or insurance payout, or are starting over after a divorce, the pressure to ‘do something’ with the money can be exhausting.

We provide the calm, professional guidance you need to protect your future without making rushed decisions.

We help you:

Understand your current situation and simplify

We cut through the noise to transform your complex financial picture into a clear, single-page roadmap, giving you the certainty to focus on your new chapter while we handle the technical heavy lifting.

Secure your money

When you’re in shock or grief, your brain struggles to process complex information. This is normal biology, not weakness.

The biggest mistake people make is acting too quickly while emotionally vulnerable.

So here’s what we do:

Put your money somewhere safe and secure (high-interest savings, term deposits). That’s it. No investments. No big decisions. No pressure.

This creates breathing room. You can focus on healing, grieving, adjusting – whatever you need – without financial decisions hanging over you.

When you’re ready (weeks or months later), then we build a proper plan.

Handle the administrative burden

When everything is foggy, the paperwork can be overwhelming. We explain everything in plain English (no jargon).

Depending on your situation, we can help you:

change account names and beneficiaries
notify super funds and insurance companies
update Centrelink/Services Australia records
coordinate with your solicitor and accountant

Resist pressure from others

Sudden wealth attracts attention – often unwanted. Family members might ask for loans. Friends might have ‘investment opportunities’. Scammers might target you.

We help you:

Set clear boundaries with family.
Evaluate requests for money (can you actually afford this?)
Recognise and avoid financial scams.
Structure your assets to minimise vulnerability.

You shouldn’t feel guilty for protecting your financial security.

Ensure your money lasts the distance

When you’re ready, we turn your lump sum into reliable, long-term income.

Whether it’s a $500,000 TPD payout, a $300,000 divorce settlement, or a $1 million inheritance – we treat this money as irreplaceable.

You can’t earn it back. It needs to last.

We structure it to provide:

a regular, automated payment (like a salary)
protection from inflation
security for your lifetime.

You stop worrying about the total balance and start living on a predictable income.

Navigate complex tax rules

There’s so much more to retirement than getting the money right (although, of course it helps)!

Using our Path to Prosperity Framework, we start the conversation about all of the elements that contribute to a fulfilling retirement. That way, when the time comes, you’re ready to hit the ground running.

Plan for your ‘new normal’.

Your life is different now. Your financial plan needs to reflect that.

Chances are you have lots of questions.

If you’ve lost a partner:

How do you maintain your lifestyle on reduced income?
What happens to the family home?
How do you rebuild a social life?

If you’ve received a payout:

How do you fund medical needs?
Can you still retire when you planned?
What if you can’t work again?

If you’re divorced:

How do you rebuild retirement savings?
What Age Pension are you entitled to?
Can you afford to stay in your home?

We answer these questions with numbers, not guesses.

Got questions? We've got answers.

We provide the calm, professional guidance you need to protect your future without making rushed decisions.

We help those who want a genuine 20-year partnership, not a 20-minute transaction. And like any solid partnership, our relationship needs to be built on trust, shared goals, and transparent communication. That’s why we offer a complimentary ‘Fit Check’ to ensure we’re a good match and can offer you valuable advice for your next phase of life.

If you’re looking for a boutique advocate who understands that a fulfilling retirement is more than just financials, you are in the right place.

Should ask questions (SAQ) - Navigating changes in life

I’ve just received a large insurance or inheritance payout; what should I do first?

The most important step is to do nothing for now. In the wake of a life-changing event, “decision fatigue” is a real biological response.

The “Pause” Rule: We recommend placing the funds into a high-interest, secure cash account (like a term deposit or offset account) for a period of 3 to 6 months.
The 2026 Advantage: With current interest rates, your money can stay productive while you focus on your emotional recovery. Taking this “permission to pause” prevents the expensive mistakes often made under pressure or grief.

How will a divorce settlement or inheritance affect my Age Pension in 2026?

Any significant change in your assets must be reported to Centrelink within 14 days.

The 2026 Deeming Update: As of 20 March 2026, the upper deeming rate has risen to 3.25%. This means a large cash settlement is now “deemed” to earn more income than in previous years, which could reduce your pension payments.
The Strategy: We help you navigate the “Asset Test” vs. “Income Test” to see if restructuring your settlement—such as contributing to a younger spouse’s super or adjusting your home equity—can help preserve your entitlements.

Will I have to pay tax on a TPD (Total and Permanent Disability) payout?

The tax treatment of a TPD payout depends entirely on whether it is paid inside or outside of superannuation. * Outside Super: Generally, payouts from a personally owned policy are tax-free.

Inside Super: If paid through your super fund, a complex “tax-free uplift” calculation is applied based on your age and your “eligible service date.

Important for 2026: If you are under age 60, you could be taxed at a rate of up to 22% on the taxable component. We work to minimise this “disability tax” by timing your withdrawals or utilising disability super benefit tax offsets.

How do I protect my inheritance from family pressure or "investment" requests?

“Sudden Wealth Syndrome” can lead to unwanted pressure from family or friends. Our role is to act as your Financial Shield. * The “Professional Buffer”: You can simply tell others: “My financial planner is currently restructuring these funds for my long-term security, and I’ve been advised not to make any gifts or loans for 12 months.”

The “Irreplaceable Money” Rule: We treat windfalls as “irreplaceable capital.” We build a plan that prioritises your 30-year security before considering any outside requests, ensuring you don’t compromise your own future out of guilt.

What happens to my family home if I lose my partner?

On the Sunshine Coast, your home is often your largest asset. If your partner has passed, there are immediate practical and tax-related steps:

The Two-Year Rule: Under ATO rules (confirmed in 2026), you generally have a two-year window to sell a deceased partner’s portion of a home without triggering Capital Gains Tax (CGT).
Beneficiary Updates: It is critical to update your Binding Death Benefit Nominations and your Will immediately. In 2026, the ATO is more strictly monitoring “unintended” wealth transfers, and failing to update these documents can lead to your super being paid to an estate where it may be taxed at 17% to 32% for adult children.