The Department of the Attorney-General has announced a new resource is available to help separating couples fairly resolve responsibility for joint and other debts.
The resource, Separating with debt: a guide to your legal options, is available online and provides clear, practical information and options to manage debts during and after separation.
Minister for Women, Marise Payne said debts could be one of the most difficult financial issues to resolve when separating, especially where there was financial abuse and family violence.
“One party, often the woman, may assume sole responsibility for joint and other debts due to a fear of credit default, bankruptcy, harassment from collection agencies or eviction,” Senator Payne said.
Attorney-General, Senator Michaelia Cash said the Guide would assist in avoiding situations where one party was left unfairly shouldering the burden of joint and other debts.
“The Guide brings together family law and consumer credit law information, options and referral points to support separating couples achieve fair, enforceable arrangements about their debts so they can move on with their lives,” Senator Cash said.
“Separating couples may not understand that consumer credit law options can assist when dealing with debts as part of a family law property dispute,” she said.
“This Guide puts relevant information together for users.”
Senator Payne said the Guide was a commitment under the Women’s Economic Security Statement 2020 and the Preventing Financial Abuse Project under the Fourth Action Plan of the National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children 2010-2022.
“It reflects the Government’s ongoing commitment to supporting women’s safety and wellbeing in their homes, communities, workplaces and online,” Senator Payne said.
The 58-page Separating with Debt Guide can be accessed at this PS News link.
