BINDING FINANCIAL SEPARATION AGREEMENTS – AUSTRALIA

BINDING FINANCIAL SEPARATION AGREEMENTS

Protecting your interests and ease of financial separation in the future is possible with Binding Financial Separation Agreement in Australia. A binding financial agreement (BFA) may be the ideal solution for partners who want to secure any possibilities.

Property Settlement is the process by which both parties will attempt to negotiate to form an agreement. This agreement concerns income, assets, and liabilities.

It is essential to get legal advice from a professional if you are involved in a relationship breakdown. The law states that the parties involved must seek independent legal advice in order for their property settlement agreements to be recognised.

The Family Law Act sets out the requirements before a Binding Financial Separation Agreement becomes binding. This includes independent legal advice about specific matters. There must also be a certificate stating the advice given and should be annexed to the Agreement and signed by each legal advisor.

One common reason to get a binding financial separation agreement is when parties want to protect property they owned before the relationship began and accumulated during the relationship. This includes business assets, gifts or inherited property and by recording it. Parties can distinguish between personal and jointly owned assets with this agreement. They may also want to identify and protect income or assets that they may receive through future inheritances or via a trust or even to assign debt. These are the business loans or mortgages to the party to avoid both sharing debt liability.

A financial separation agreement in Australia is binding on the parties to the agreement if, and only if:

  • The agreement is in writing and signed by both parties; and
  • The parties are separated or divorced; and
  • It includes a statement from each party to the agreement, before the agreement was signed. This is to certify that each party’s rights and advantages and disadvantages of the financial agreement are discussed. Also, the advantages and disadvantages during the advice should be provided before making the agreement; and
  • A legal practitioner’s signed statement must be provided to each party. This is to certify that the advice regarding the party’s rights and advantages and disadvantages in entering the financial agreement was given. It can be before or after signing the agreement; and

  • A copy of the legal practitioner’s statement is given to the other party or a legal practitioner of the other party; and

  • The agreement has not been terminated and has not been set aside by a court; and

  • Includes a separation declaration unless the agreement is signed post-divorce.

binding-financial-pre-and-post-nuptial-and-de-facto-agreements-australia
POST NUPTIAL AND DE FACTO AGREEMENT

There may be many reasons to obtain a postnuptial agreement. A post-nuptial agreement is a Financial Agreement created under section 90C of the Family Law Act 1975. A Post-Nuptial Agreement is similar to a Pre-Nuptial Agreement. However, the agreement is only after the marriage or de facto partnership has taken place can both parties make the agreement.

Postnuptial agreements deal with the practical issues. One of such is how to establish an agreed and fair distribution of shared assets and interests if the marriage breaks down. This is a faster and less stressful way of dealing with asset distribution than going to court and having the court decide what happens to your assets.

Sometimes couples just do not get around to doing a pre-nuptial or de facto agreement or cannot complete an agreement before the wedding takes place. A postnuptial agreement is the logical follow-up.

TERMINATING A BINDING FINANCIAL AGREEMENT

There are certain circumstances set out in the Family Law Act where a Court may set aside a Binding Financial Agreement. These include:

  • Where the agreement has been obtained by fraudulent means, including failing to disclose an asset.
  • A party to the agreement entered the Binding Financial Agreement with the purpose of defrauding or defeating a creditor.
  • The agreement is void or unenforceable because the Binding Financial Agreement was not prepared properly. Also, when it does not comply with the legislative requirements set out in section 90G or section 90UJ.
  • Circumstances have arisen since the Binding Financial Agreement was made. This situation makes it impossible or impracticable for the agreement to be carried out.
  • Since the making of the Binding Financial Agreement, a material change in circumstances has occurred. For example, relating to the care, welfare and development of a child of the relationship. As a result of the change, a party to the agreement will suffer hardship if the Court does not set the agreement aside.
  • A party’s conduct in the making of the Binding Financial Agreement was, in all the circumstances, unconscionable.
  • A “payment flag” is operating on a superannuation interest covered by the Agreement. There is no reasonable likelihood that the operation of the flag will be terminated by a “flag lifting” under that part.
  • The Binding Financial Agreement covers at least one superannuation interest that is an “un-splittable interest”.

Always make sure you seek legal advice before signing any document, since financial separation agreement in Australia for partners is vital.

KNOW WHAT YOU CAN DO

AussieLegal offers a number of legal kits and paralegal services. These kits are specifically designed to help family members make a personal application and save thousands in legal fees.

Reach out on 1300 728 200 to discuss your situation with one of our consultants.

  • Nicole

    Hi, I’m not sure where to start. I’m
    married, and plan to stay married, however due to certain circumstances, I want to get a post nuptial. So that if anything were to happen, I won’t lose my money. Is this even a possibility? Thank you so much for your time. Nicole

    • AussieLegal

      Hi Nicole! Yes, it is possible to create a post-nuptial agreement. A post-nup is a legal document that outlines how assets will be divided in the event of separation or divorce. It can help protect your financial interests, provided both parties fully understand and agree to the terms. You can contact us at 1 300 728 200 to discuss your situation further.

  • Thanks for sharing your thoughts on Toronto paralegal. Regards

  • Nice and helpful guide that couples can follow through. Thanks for it.

    • AussieLegal

      Thanks Daykin! Let us know if you need more information and call us, we’ll be more than happy to help. You can call us at our 1300 728 200 number or directly at 02 9067 2774. Thanks again!

  • Danielle

    I’m enquiring about setting up a Financial Agreement for me and my partner 

    which  will outline how financial matters to be resolved if me  and my  partner later separate.

     And  protect both our seperate  financial affairs,as we are currently in  the beginning stages of cohabiting  before marriage. 

    Would greatly appreciate your assistance and guidance to formulate and follow through with your company 

    Yours kindly
    Danielle carey

    • AussieLegal

      Hi Danielle! Thanks for your inquiry and sorry for our late reply. A BFA will typically provide how both of you propose to operate in respect of financial matters, as well as how specific assets are to be divided. All of the terms you list can be accommodated in the BFA and many are already included in a standard agreement. The BFA will be customized to meet your needs. Please call us directly at 02 9067 2774 so we can assist you with any questions you may have.
      Speak soon! 

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