Family Law and Superannuation: What you need to know

By Count Financial

When a marriage or de facto relationship breaks down, it can be a stressful time and the task of separating finances scan often add to the pressure. Getting the right advice can help you make the tough financial decisions about your assets and superannuation.

Whenever there is a change to your financial situation, a review of your financial plan is necessary – even more so when a complicated matter like splitting superannuation is involved.

What is the first step?

Get expert advice

When a marriage or de facto relationship breaks down, many couples choose to separate their finances sby going through a property settlement. In this process, getting financial land legal advice is essential.

Your property and possessions

A property settlement is the legal process of dividing a couple’s assets when they become separated or divorced.

Assets may include the family home, investment properties, ownership in a business, valuables, investments and savings. A property settlement can be reached by mutual agreement, or where an agreement can’t be made, the court can determine the settlement.

Your superannuation

Superannuation is also included as an asset that can be divided as part of a property settlement. All or part of a superannuation benefit can be transferred from one spouse to the other.

This also applies to de facto couples (including same sex relationships) living together on a genuine domestic basis and relationships registered under particular State or Territory Laws.

Couples have the option of drawing up a financial agreement on how superannuation is to be divided. This can be made at any time during the relationship.

What parts of super can be split?

Superannuation accounts (both in accumulation and defined benefit funds), account based pensions and all other superannuation pensions and annuities can be split in a divorce or de facto relationship breakdown.

Accounts with a balance of less than $5,000 cannot be split under Family Law.  There are also limitations under Family Law on the splitting of non-commutable pensions and annuities of less than $2,000 pa.

Splitting superannuation

The process of splitting superannuation can be broken down into six key steps:

The importance of legal advice

Both spouses will also need to appoint a legal adviser to split a superannuation benefit tof one of the parties. Even if you don’t go to court, certain parts of the superannuation splitting process require you to declare that you have received independent legal advice, and your legal adviser to certify that they have provided advice.

A legal adviser will also have experience in relationship breakdown procedures and can assist you through the

property settlement by:

• advising you on the relevant laws and how they apply to your situation

• providing you with guidance on the division of assets and your entitlements

• assisting with any documentation that you may need during the process

• letting you know of any obligations you may have towards your super fund

• • representing you in court if necessary.

The role of your financial advisor

For most people, a relationship breakdown is an extremely stressful and emotional time. The thought of making important life-changing decisions can be overwhelming.

A financial adviser can provide you with the knowledge and guidance to help you feel more confident tabout the decisions you make about your financial future.

A financial adviser can also assess the impact on your overall financial situation and provide a recommendation about appropriate investments for your portion of the settlement. They can also provide ongoing advice regarding your super benefits sand general financial position.