Divorce is never just a legal process—it’s an emotional, mental, and financial upheaval. As a financial adviser who has spent more than 28 years walking beside women navigating life after separation, I’ve seen the heartbreak, the fear, and the moments of breakthrough. I know this journey intimately, and I am so passionate to help women rebuild after divorce—not just to survive, but to thrive.

But here’s the truth: the financial impact of divorce can last for decades. And yet, far too many women are not getting the financial advice they need when they need it most.

That’s why I’m passionate about talking about this and why women going through a divorce need to seek financial advice—and how doing so can change the course of their future.

1. Divorce is a financial decision wrapped in an emotional one

When you’re in the thick of separation, your brain isn’t always functioning at its best. You’re dealing with grief, fear, perhaps betrayal—and often, you’re trying to make decisions that affect the rest of your life.

A financial adviser can be the clear head in the room. We’re not here to replace your lawyer. We’re here to complement them—helping you understand what the numbers really mean, what your settlement will feel like to live with, and what choices will help you land on your feet instead of in a financial freefall.

Too many women walk away thinking they’ve won the house—but they’ve lost their liquidity, their superannuation, and their freedom.

2. Women often face long-term financial disadvantage after divorce

Statistically, women retire with significantly less super than men. They’re more likely to have taken time out of the workforce to care for children, and many work part-time even during the marriage. After a separation, they may find themselves solely responsible for children, housing, and bills—often on a single income. Add to that the reality of re-entering the workforce after years out or needing to retrain altogether. It’s a recipe for financial fragility unless proper planning is done early.

And professional women are not immune. While they may have more financial knowledge, navigating this new chapter alone can feel overwhelming. The weight of

decision-making, the pressure to “get it right,” and the emotional toll of the process can cloud even the most capable mind. In these moments, they don’t just need numbers—they need guidance, reassurance, and a calming influence to help them move forward with confidence.

Financial advice during this stage isn’t just about managing today’s budget—it’s about planning for 5, 10, 20 years down the line. It’s about making the right decisions for them to achieve their best possible outcomes.

3. There is power in knowledge—especially during negotiation

One of the saddest things I see is women who feel they have no voice in negotiations—because they don’t understand the financial language being used. Or they’re so emotionally worn out that they just want it “over with.”

This is where financial advice can be transformational. I help my clients get a clear view of what the assets and liabilities mean in their everyday lives. I show them the consequences of one path over another.

Importantly, we’re not interfering with the legal side of things. We work in conjunction with the family lawyer—who is often stretched across many moving parts of the case. While they focus on the legal framework, we focus on the numbers. We bring clarity to the financial pieces so the client can make well-informed decisions, and the lawyer can get on with what they do best. It’s a supportive partnership, not a complication.

Yes, it’s an additional cost on top of legal fees—but it’s an investment in getting the right outcome, not just a fast one. In fact, our involvement often helps reduce overall legal fees, because we’re handling the financial groundwork—saving the lawyer time and keeping the process more focused and efficient. The financial decisions you make during a separation can affect you for years, even decades. Having a dedicated financial expert on your team means you’re not leaving your future to chance. You’re making decisions with clarity, support, and a strategy in place for what happens next.

4. Getting advice doesn’t mean more conflict—it can actually reduce it.

There’s a misconception that “lawyers argue, and advisers complicate things.” I work within many legal practices and in collaborative model where the goal is to reach fair and respectful resolutions.

In these cases, I sit beside the client and their lawyer as part of the team. We talk openly, gently, about what this new chapter could look like. Sometimes, both parties want to make sure the other is okay—they just don’t know how to do that while protecting their own futures. A good financial adviser helps balance that.

5. Post-separation life can be beautiful—but only if the foundations are secure

The most rewarding part of my work is seeing the transformation that happens once the dust settles. When a woman feels confident in her money, when she knows she’s safe and independent again—she becomes unstoppable.

She starts a business. She travels. She mentors her kids through their own money challenges. She finds joy again.

But none of that happens without the foundation. That’s what I help build.

6. A good adviser understands both money and people

I’m not here to sell products. I’m here to offer strategies, guidance, and an experienced hand to hold. Yes, we’ll talk about super, budgets, investments etc—but we’ll also talk about dreams, fears, and “what happens next.” And just a point worth noting is we are not paid by any product provider; we charge a fully disclosed fee. So, any recommendations into product have no bias attached.

My clients are often in their 40s and 50s —facing a future they never planned for, it is very different to the way they thought it was going to look. And that’s okay. Because the second half of life can be the best half—with the right support.

7. We need to have this conversation because too many people don’t know they can ask for help

Most women don’t realise they can see a financial adviser during or after their divorce. Or they think they don’t have enough money to make it worthwhile.

I want to change that.

• “Am I going to be, okay?”
• “How will I afford to raise the kids?”
• “What do I do now?”

I want to be the calm, reassuring voice that says: “You don’t have to do this alone. There is a path forward.”

Mandy