Frequently asked questions

Do I have to pay before I can use the calculator?

No. The calculator is free to use end-to-end on both paths. You can enter your asset pool, walk through the analysis, see your full result on screen, and only pay $249 if you choose to download the final PDF. The paywall sits at the moment of download — not at calculator entry, not mid-flow, not when the analysis is complete on screen.

What happens if I don’t pay? Do I lose my work?

No. Your inputs are saved on your device. You can come back later — the next day, the next week — and your session resumes. If you decide not to download the document, you’ve still seen the full analysis on screen and you’ve lost nothing.

What’s the difference between the Consent Orders Pack and the Property Settlement Modeller?

The Consent Orders Pack documents an agreed division. It produces the Minute of Consent Orders (matched to the FCFCOA template) for filing via the Commonwealth Courts Portal. Use the Pack if you and your ex-partner have already agreed on the split.

The Property Settlement Modeller models the framework. It walks through s.79 contributions and s.75(2) future needs and produces a modelled outcome range. Use the free Modeller if you haven’t agreed yet and want to understand what the framework would say before you have the conversation.

The Modeller does not produce filed-orders documentation. If you’ve agreed and want to file, use the Pack instead.

Which path should I pick if we mostly agree but disagree on one or two things?

The Pack documents what you’ve agreed; if the open items are practical (who keeps which car), it can handle them. If the open items are principled (whether one party gets a higher share for non-financial contributions), use the free Modeller first to model what the framework would say, then come back to the Pack to document the agreed division.

Can I use the Modeller and then the Pack?

Yes. The Modeller is free; the Pack costs $249 at download. The asset-pool data carries across, so if you start with the Modeller and reach agreement, you can switch to the Pack to document for filing — you’ll re-enter the administrative fields the Modeller doesn’t capture (party addresses, dates, children’s names). The handoff is built into the calculator.

Why $249 specifically?

The Pack sits well below every human-touch alternative — Australian capital-city family lawyers charge $1,500–3,000 fixed-fee for the same prep, or $5,000+ through to filing — and above the cheap form-filling kits that don’t include the analysis. For $249 you get a populated Form 11 (Word + PDF), a Minute matched to the FCFCOA proposed-orders template, the lawyer-review summary, 30 days of edits, and lifetime download. You can run the full calculator for free first; you only pay if the document is worth it to you.

Why isn’t this free, like amica?

amica.gov.au is government-funded; we’re a small Australian business charging a single $249 fee — and only at the moment you choose to download. No referral fees, ads, or data sale. We’re also solo-first (works without your ex-partner’s involvement), which amica isn’t.

What if my ex-partner won’t engage with this?

The calculator works for one user acting alone. You don’t need your ex-partner’s involvement, login, or consent to use it — that’s deliberate. (Many separating people don’t have a productive working relationship with their ex-partner; the calculator is built around that reality, not against it.)

Is this an AI-generated tool?

No. The calculator implements the Family Law Act framework directly — rule-based maths, no AI generates outputs about your specific matter. The output is determined entirely by your inputs and the legislative framework. We avoid “AI legal” framing because the legal-AI category has had visible failures and we’d rather be the boring rule-based version than the hyped-up generative version.

Can the Pack be filed at court?

The Pack contains documents formatted to match the FCFCOA proposed-orders template. They are draft documents intended for solicitor review or self-filing via the Commonwealth Courts Portal. Filing happens on the Court’s portal, by you (or your solicitor), not by us. We strongly recommend independent legal review before filing anything.

What’s the difference between the Modeller and a solicitor’s advice?

The Modeller applies the legislative framework to your inputs and produces a modelled range. A solicitor applies the framework to your specific matter, with full disclosure, knowledge of recent case law, and the ability to predict how the Court would actually treat your facts. The Modeller is a starting analysis — not a substitute for advice. Take the report to a family lawyer; the conversation will be faster and cheaper because the prep is done.

Is the output reviewed by a lawyer?

The framework references and structure have been reviewed by Australian-admitted family law specialists (see About). The output for your specific matter is generated by the calculator from your inputs — no human reviews it for $249. That’s exactly what the output is designed to support: take it to a lawyer for review of your matter, with the prep work done.

Is this legal advice?

No. The Property Split Calculator is a structured modelling tool, not a legal service. It applies the Family Law Act framework to your inputs to produce estimated outcomes. What it produces is a starting point for thinking and a structured brief for a lawyer — not a legal opinion, not a consent order, and not a court document. Always seek independent advice from a qualified Australian family lawyer before finalising any arrangement.

Can I file the draft consent orders generated by the tool directly with the court?

No. Draft consent orders produced by the calculator are a drafting aid only. Before filing with the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia, consent orders must be reviewed and signed off by a qualified Australian family lawyer. Filing orders without legal advice is not recommended — errors in consent orders can be difficult and costly to correct after the fact.

Does using this tool create any legal obligation?

No. Nothing produced by this tool is binding on either party. You are modelling scenarios — no agreement is created, no order is made, and no legal proceeding is commenced. You can model any scenario, close the browser, and nothing has changed legally.

Does the tool apply to Western Australia?

Western Australia operates under its own state family property law (the Family Court Act 1997 WA) rather than the federal Family Law Act for de facto couples. The framework is broadly similar but there are differences. Married couples in WA are still covered by the federal FLA. If you are in a de facto relationship in WA, the outputs should be treated as indicative only — seek advice from a WA family lawyer.

Is my data saved anywhere?

Free modelling stays in your browser. The figures you enter — asset values, party details, contributions, allocations — are not transmitted to any server while you are modelling for free. Close the tab and free-modelling data is gone.

The $249 PDF unlock is different: when you pay, your matter state is encrypted before storage and kept for 30 days so you can refine and re-export. After 30 days, the editable snapshot is auto-deleted (7-day grace period before final deletion). The downloaded PDF is yours to keep on your own device. A cached copy remains on our server so you can re-download from your email link — that cached copy is retained indefinitely unless you request deletion, receive a refund, the service is closed, or we are otherwise required to delete it. See the privacy page for the full mechanics.

What happens to my data if I pay?

Three things happen at purchase. First, your matter state (asset pool, contributions, allocations, future-needs inputs) is encrypted using a key derived from your email and a random matter ID — that ciphertext is stored on our servers for 30 days so you can resume editing without re-entering everything. Second, the PDF you generate is cached server-side so you can re-download it from the access link in your email; the cached copy is retained indefinitely unless you request deletion, receive a refund, the service is closed, or we are otherwise required to delete it. Third, your purchase email and Stripe charge metadata are retained for 5 years (Australian tax records).

After day 30, the editable matter snapshot is auto-deleted; the cached PDF and purchase record remain. Encryption note: the matter is decryptable only with your email-bearing recovery link, or by the site operator if you contact support — every operator decryption is recorded in a 5-year audit log.

Why do I need to pay for the Pack download?

The draft consent order language and PDF export are the most substantial outputs of this tool. Charging $249 for 30 days of editing access plus lifetime download keeps the modelling side fully free while covering the costs of maintaining the tool. The first four tabs — Assets & Liabilities, Division, Advanced, and the live summary — remain fully available without any payment.

What data is collected when I pay?

Stripe collects your email and payment method at checkout — your card details go directly to Stripe and never touch our servers. We receive: your email, the Stripe session ID, the charge ID, the amount paid, and a timestamp. Plus the encrypted matter state (30-day TTL) and the cached PDF (lifetime). There is no Google sign-in, no third-party identity provider, and no other tracking layer.

What happens when I export the PDF?

The PDF is generated in your browser from your matter state and downloaded to your device. A copy of the generated PDF is also cached on our servers, keyed to your matter, so you can re-download it from the access link in your email — including after the 30-day editing window closes. Your downloaded PDF is yours to keep, share, or print as you see fit. The cached copy on our servers is retained indefinitely unless you request deletion, receive a refund, the service is closed, or we are otherwise required to delete it.

Can the other party see what I have entered?

No. Free modelling is local to your browser; nothing is shared. Paid matters are stored encrypted with a key derived from your email — the other party cannot retrieve your matter unless they have access to your inbox. If you share the PDF with the other party, you are sharing it — the tool does not share anything automatically.

Can I delete my data from your records?

Yes. Email privacy@propertysplitcalculator.com.au from the email you used at purchase. We will delete the encrypted matter snapshot, the cached PDF, and the access token. The purchase record (email, charge ID, amount, timestamp) is retained for 5 years for Australian tax purposes — that is the only thing that survives deletion.

How much does the Pack download cost?

$249 AUD, one-time payment. That unlocks the Pack download for 30 days from the moment of payment. Within those 30 days you get unlimited regenerations of the draft orders and unlimited PDF exports. There is no subscription and no auto-renewal.

How long does access last?

30 days from the moment of payment. On day 31, access expires and the Pack download shows the unlock screen again. If you need more time, another $249 payment adds another 30 days. Most users finish their work well inside the first window.

Does access auto-renew?

No. $249 is a one-time charge, not a subscription. You will not be billed again unless you explicitly make another purchase.

Can I get a refund?

Yes — 24-hour no-questions full refund. Email privacy@propertysplitcalculator.com.au from the email address you used at checkout. Refunds are processed via Stripe and typically appear on your card within 5–10 business days. We also offer a technical-failure refund (within 30 days) if the Pack didn’t generate, the formatting was broken, or the calculator had a bug that affected your matter. Beyond those windows, refunds are limited to what you’re entitled to under the Australian Consumer Law, which always applies. See our full terms and refund policy.

Who processes the payment?

Stripe. Your credit card details go directly from your browser to Stripe and never touch our servers. We receive confirmation that the payment succeeded and the amount — nothing else. Your statement may show the charge as "PROPERTY SPLIT CALC" or similar.

Can I use my access on multiple devices?

Yes. After purchase you receive an access link by email — open that link on any device or browser to resume editing your matter or re-download the PDF. There is no sign-in required; the link itself authenticates you. If you misplace the email, visit the recovery page and we will resend the link to your purchase email.

What happens on day 31?

The editing window closes — you can no longer modify your matter inside the calculator. The PDF you generated remains downloadable from your access link while we retain the cached copy (retained indefinitely unless you request deletion, receive a refund, the service is closed, or we are otherwise required to delete it). The encrypted matter snapshot is auto-deleted within a 7-day grace period after day 30. If you need more editing time, contact support or make another $249 purchase.

How accurate is the split estimate?

The calculator applies a structured model based on the Family Law Act framework and your inputs. The accuracy of the output depends entirely on the accuracy of your inputs — garbage in, garbage out. With good estimates, the model will give you a reasonable indication of where a negotiated settlement might land. It cannot replicate what a court would decide, what a mediator would recommend, or what an experienced lawyer would advise — all of which depend on the specific facts and circumstances of your matter.

How are the contribution weights determined?

The default weights for each contribution type (initial financial, ongoing financial, non-financial, homemaker/parent) are set based on common frameworks used in Australian family law practice. They are configurable — you can adjust them to reflect your view of how the court or a negotiation might weight the factors in your specific case. There is no single correct answer; the weights are a starting point for modelling, not a legal formula.

What if the other party’s asset figures are not disclosed?

Enter your best estimate. The tool works with whatever figures you provide. If the other party is withholding financial disclosure, that is a matter for a lawyer — courts can compel disclosure under the Family Law Rules 2021. Use estimates now, adjust when better information is available. The model is designed to be iterated as your understanding improves.

How does the tool handle superannuation splitting?

Superannuation is included in the asset pool as a standard asset class. The tool calculates its contribution to the pool and allows allocation to each party. It also generates draft super splitting order language in the Pack download. However, super splitting under Part VIIIB of the FLA requires specific procedural steps — the super fund trustee must be served with the splitting order at least 28 days before it is filed. The tool flags this requirement, but compliance with these procedural rules is a matter for your lawyer.

What about defined benefit superannuation?

Defined benefit super (common in the public sector — federal and state government employees, some universities and large employers) is harder to value because it is based on expected future entitlements rather than a current balance. The tool accepts an entered value — you will need to obtain the “splittable payment” value or an actuarial estimate from the fund or an actuary. Enter that figure in the super section. For complex defined benefit schemes, specialist legal and financial advice is particularly important.

Can I use this for a self-managed super fund (SMSF)?

Yes, with caution. Enter the SMSF balance as a superannuation asset. However, SMSFs have specific trustee obligations and ATO requirements that come into play during separation — including the need to maintain the fund during the settlement process and comply with fund deed requirements. SMSF matters in a separation context almost always require specialist financial and legal advice beyond what a modelling tool can provide.

Can I load a worked example to see how it works before entering my own data?

Yes. In the Asset Pool tab, click “Load Worked Example” to load the Mitchell & Mitchell scenario — a fictional 15-year marriage with all asset types entered, contributions and future needs set, and allocations made. This is the fastest way to understand the tool before committing your own figures.

How do I model two different scenarios?

The tool is a single-session model — it does not have built-in scenario saving. To compare scenarios, export the PDF for the first scenario, then change the allocations and export again. You can also take a screenshot or copy the orders text at each step. A future version may add scenario comparison within the session.

What does “balance to target” mean in the Division tab?

Balance to target is the dollar amount by which your current allocation differs from the target split. If you have a target split of 58/42 and your current allocations produce a 55/45 split, the balance to target shows how much value needs to move between parties to reach 58/42. Green means on target or within a small tolerance; red means there is a meaningful gap.

The other party and I are still negotiating. Is it too early to use this?

No — this is actually the ideal time to use it. The tool is most useful when things are still being worked out. It helps you understand the range of reasonable outcomes, identify where the key tensions are (usually one asset where both parties feel strongly), and test whether the arrangement you are negotiating toward is actually close to what the FLA framework would suggest. Knowing your position before you negotiate is always better than finding out afterward.

Does this work for de facto couples?

Yes. The tool supports both married and de facto relationship types. Select the relevant type in the Relationship section of the sidebar. For de facto, the relevant FLA provisions (s.90SM for property, s.90SF for future needs) apply instead of the married provisions. The tool flags the correct provisions in the calculation chain.

We separated years ago. Is it too late?

Possibly not, but check the time limits. Married couples generally have 12 months from the date the divorce order becomes absolute to apply for property orders. De facto couples generally have 2 years from the date of separation. If you are outside these periods, the court’s permission is required to proceed — which is not guaranteed. The Relationship sidebar section shows the relevant time limit based on your relationship type. If you are near or outside the limit, seek legal advice urgently.

Can I use this for a same-sex relationship?

Yes. The Family Law Act applies equally to all couples — married or de facto, same-sex or opposite-sex. The tool uses neutral party names (First Applicant / Second Applicant) that are not gender-specific.