Separation and Property Settlement Planner
Can you afford to keep the house? Would selling leave you better off? Who takes on the mortgage and the debts? Ferrall & Co’s free separation planner helps you work through the figures behind these questions.
No account required. Your figures are calculated in your browser, not sent to Ferrall & Co by this tool.
Calculator note: If the figures do not update as you type, this WordPress page may be blocking JavaScript. The downloadable workbook will still work.
This is a financial organisation tool, not a legal entitlement calculator. There is no automatic 50/50 rule. How property is divided depends on your contributions, your future needs and what is fair in your circumstances. Ferrall & Co’s free planner helps you gather the figures, so your first appointment can focus on how these factors apply to you..
Work out what you own and owe
Enter estimates for both people, not just the assets in your name. Start with the family home, then add other property, accounts, superannuation and debts. Figures update automatically.
The family home
Include the primary home here only. Add any investment property under Other assets.
Use the most recent loan balance and a realistic home valuation. Do not include this mortgage in the debt list below.
Superannuation
Record the estimated superannuation balances of both people. These balances are included in the estimated combined position but are not immediately spendable cash.
Super interests may require specific valuation and splitting processes. Ask your lawyer before relying on these numbers.
Other assets
Examples: bank accounts, vehicles, shares, investment property, business interests and valuable personal items. Do not repeat the family home or super.
Other debts
Examples: credit cards, personal loans, tax debts and vehicle finance. Do not repeat the home mortgage.
Your estimated combined financial position
This arithmetic total is for preparation only. It does not calculate either person's share, account for all adjustments or determine the legal property pool. A negative result can indicate that estimated liabilities exceed estimated assets.
Privacy: the planner does not store entries in local storage or transmit them to Ferrall & Co. Your exported file, printed copy or browser's built-in autofill features may retain information on your device. Use a private device where possible.
What could happen to the family home?
These two illustrations compare cash proceeds and finance requirements. They do not assume who is entitled to any particular share of the home.
Option A - Sell the home
Estimate what may be left after repaying the mortgage and paying selling costs.
| Estimated sale price | $0 |
| Less mortgage payout | $0 |
| Less selling costs | $0 |
| Estimated net sale proceeds | $0 |
Sale proceeds are before any capital gains tax, other adjustments or division between parties. Actual mortgage payout and transaction costs may differ.
Option B - One person keeps the home
Consider a possible agreed payment and the cost of refinancing. The tool does not suggest what that payment should be.
| Current mortgage balance | $0 |
| Illustrative payment | Not entered |
| Estimated additional costs | $0 |
| Indicative financing / funding requirement* | Not entered |
*This adds the mortgage, illustrative payment and estimated costs. It is not a loan offer or necessarily the amount to borrow: cash reserves, other transactions, the lender's assessment and legal documentation will affect the result.
An agreement that one person will keep paying the loan doesn’t bind the bank. Until the loan is refinanced or you’re released, you may remain responsible for it. Ferrall & Co’s planner helps you work through what refinancing, valuation and transfer costs could involve, so you can raise them at your first appointment.
Check what financial documents you have
The financial disclosure obligation is ongoing in property matters. This checklist helps you prepare, but it is not exhaustive. Ask your lawyer what records are relevant in your circumstances.
0 of 14 common document groups checked. Checking an item does not mean you have complied with disclosure obligations.
Safety note: Only obtain records you are legally entitled to access. If you are concerned about controlling behaviour, financial abuse or documents being withheld, speak with an independent lawyer rather than attempting to access someone else's accounts.
Turn your figures into useful questions
Money is only part of a settlement. A lawyer may also need to understand contributions, homemaking, child care, income differences, housing needs, relevant family violence and the overall circumstances.
Ask about your financial position
- Have I included all assets, financial interests, liabilities and super?
- Which figures need proper valuations, especially business and property interests?
- Could tax or loan consequences change the practical result?
- What should happen if my former partner has not provided financial records?
Ask about the settlement process
- What do our contributions and current circumstances mean legally?
- Do relevant financial abuse or safety concerns affect how we should proceed?
- What Court application time limit applies to our situation?
- How should we formalise any agreement, for example by consent orders or a binding financial agreement?
Important points before making any agreement
A settlement can include far more than the house and bank accounts. Superannuation, debts, businesses and other financial interests may all be part of it. Since 10 June 2025, family law also expressly addresses the economic effects of family violence, each person’s duty to disclose their finances, and decisions about companion animals. Use this planner to get the full picture down on paper, then get advice on how the law applies to your situation.
For applications to the Court, the general time limit for married couples is 12 months after the divorce order takes effect. For eligible de facto couples, the usual limit is two years from the breakdown of the relationship. Some exceptions apply, and an application may be needed to proceed out of time. People can address property matters before a divorce is final. Read the Court's official explanation.
Frequently asked questions
Does a divorce mean everything is split 50/50?
No. There is no automatic equal division. In Australia, a property settlement considers the property and liabilities, each person's contributions, relevant current and future circumstances, and whether the outcome is just and equitable.
Can we sort out our assets before getting divorced?
Yes. Divorce and property settlement are separate legal processes. You can address financial matters before a divorce order becomes final, and the dates that apply to Court applications should be checked early.
Does the person who keeps the house automatically get the mortgage?
No. Legal ownership of the property and liability to the lender are separate matters. If a joint mortgage is to be changed, the lender's approval and any refinancing requirements must be addressed.
Should superannuation be counted?
Superannuation interests can be relevant to property settlement. However, super is not the same as readily accessible cash and a superannuation split involves specific legal and fund requirements.
Can we use this calculator to decide what is fair?
No. The figures help organise financial information and compare practical possibilities. They do not consider every legal factor and cannot recommend a percentage, payment or entitlement.
Want help understanding your property settlement?
Ferrall & Co Lawyers works with people facing separation and property settlement matters in Caloundra and across the Sunshine Coast. Speak with the team about your specific circumstances.
General information only, prepared October 2026. Not legal, tax, lending or financial advice. Check current law and facts with a qualified professional. This tool does not send financial information to Ferrall & Co. Source references: Attorney-General's Department, Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia, and MoneySmart.
Ferrall & Co Lawyers | Property Settlement Planner | ferrallco.com.au | October 2026