Hi ladies! It's the first time for me to write, so please no judgement and keep in mind I'm a completely lost lady.
I came to Australia 10 years ago to join my husband and since then he is the one who is dealing with all the money/ budget... we bought a house and 2 investment properties, 2 cars and everything is on his name, I work as a casual and everytime I ask him why you didn't put my name on the lease he will say I'm a casual worker the band wouldn't agree to give us money or doesn't change a thing because of that. And when I ask questions about what if something happens he says We are in Australia you will get your half because we are married, have kids, share accounts... and the thing is he has a will ( from before I even meet him) where he put his mum and brothers/ sisters as the ones that get everything if something happens. My questions are: should I be worried about the will ( he is happy to book an appointment and change it)?
What about the properties? Can he put my name now on the contracts? What does it mean for me regarding the mortgages?? The bills??
Please don't judge me, I've never paid a bill, never done any service for the car, never spoken to an agent, so I'm really worried about all that. I'm really lost as I used to be a really independant lady, but it was overseas and English is definitely not my first language. Is there a course that I can do to learn how to deal with financial stuff?? I can't rely on him forever!!
Thank you, love the support we get from this group.
7 Replies
He is kinda right. Being a casual could go against you when applying for the loan. Book an appointment to get your wills sorted out but of you can provide evidence of marriage etc and of you have kids together, should something happen to him, you'd get it (and if you didn't, you'd get a lawyer 👌). If he wanted to divorce you (if that's your fear), well if properties are in his name but you are married, then you'd be entitled to at least half plus child support.
Go get all the Wills sorted out. It's a good idea. Puts everything down on paper. It honestly doesn't sound dodgy, but get your financial affairs sorted 👌
As a married couple the banks should have taken your income into consideration, I find it strange they didn't? Last loan I applied for I was told I had to have my partners details and income. Unless he lied and said he wasn't married.
You need a solicitor. It's complex. My husband does estate planning as a financial planner & that's the first place he sends clients because they need professional advice to understand what's involved.
Get the will sorted or you could be in for a hell of a fight. A court won't just hand it to you & people get greedy & won't just hand it over.
Also ensure his Superannuation has you as the beneficiary 'binding' death nomination. Otherwise anyone can put forward a claim. Super is not covered by a will.
Your house, assets etc. are half yours. Although if his half is willed away to others you'll lose control & could be forced to sell. Either way it'll be messy. You'd need to ask the bank before changing deed names (deeds are ownership papers, a lease is a rental agreement). Changing names on the deeds will likely need a refinance of loans into both names.
These steps have nothing to do with trust in your partner. He needs to ensure his wishes are fulfilled. You also need a will. You might not think you do but YOU DO. a solicitor can explain.
As for courses, I'm sure there are immigrant courses to help orient people to local life.
He is right. The only thing is you would need to contest the will if he died. That would be successful though. He should just update his will
Thank you so much everyone for your advices!! And thanks a lot for keeping it simple for me to understand lol! Really appreciate it.
We booked with a lawyer to do the wills as it's my biggest fear! ( no one wants to fight with the in laws especially when you have kids!!) And I'm more worried if I die what my kids get if he re-marries!
So hopefully we will sort everything out!
Thanks again!!
You need to see a lawyer ASAP. You can put a caviet on the houses so he can’t do anything with them b it get financial advise as these are your homes too. The banks also take your income into consideration casual or not so he has done that for a reason unless he wants your scamming the government or has done it for tax purposes then you need to be weary of it. He shouldn’t leave you out of his will that’s disgusting!! You are his wife. go and see a lawyer without him knowing and get advise. They will have an interpreter if needed.
Can I just say for someone where English isn’t your first language you wrote your post extremely well, I know a lot of aussie people that couldn’t articulate as well as you have 😂, good luck with everything, you’ve received some great advice here.x