Client Story 5: Rebecca

A Fresh Start and a Financial Plan for Life

Background

Rebecca, 62, came to EWK Private Wealth following a divorce after 30 years of marriage. She had raised three children and supported her family’s business but had no formal qualifications or recent paid employment.

With a property settlement, superannuation, and a desire to move forward independently, she wanted expert guidance to build a secure and fulfilling future.

Summary of Client Issues

Following her divorce, Rebecca received:

• 100% ownership of the former marital home (valued at $2 million),
• A $1 million cash settlement,
• Her superannuation balances, totalling around $380,000.

She was referred to EWK by a close friend after her former family accountant advised her to seek independent support. Rebecca’s priorities were to:

• Downsize her home and simplify her financial life.
• Set up a comfortable, tax-efficient retirement income stream.
• Avoid becoming a financial burden on her adult children.
• Enjoy her lifestyle, maintain her wellbeing, and be present for her elderly mother and growing family.

Risks and Concerns

Rebecca’s financial affairs involved significant complexity and potential tax consequences:

• Selling the family home and investing proceeds tax-effectively.
• Maximising her super contributions within allowable limits.
• Establishing structures for future wealth transfer and inheritance.
• Managing estate matters following the recent death of her mother.

She was also mindful of protecting her assets, ensuring her wishes were clearly documented, and setting up systems that would support her lifestyle without daily management or stress.

The Reason to Take Action

Rebecca wanted to “start fresh”—to simplify her financial life and feel confident about her future. With no desire to return to work, she needed her resources to be structured carefully to support a long and independent retirement.

EWK Role

EWK provided Rebecca with a full-service strategy that included:

Superannuation & Retirement Planning

• Located and consolidated lost super accounts.
• Established account-based pensions and structured both concessional and non-concessional contributions for tax efficiency.
• Used $300k in downsizer contributions post-property sale to further boost her tax-free retirement income.

Property Sale and Purchase

• Engaged a trusted property advocate to sell her Camberwell home for $2.1m and secure a new, more suitable home for $1.5m.
• Coordinated timing and logistics for a smooth same-day settlement.

Structuring Investments for the Future

• Excess funds were housed in a discretionary trust, designed for long-term flexibility and future intergenerational benefit.
• Assets were diversified and aligned to her risk tolerance, managed in collaboration with specialist asset consultants.

Estate Planning and Asset Protection

• Facilitated the creation of a new Will, Binding Death Benefit Nominations, and Enduring Powers of Attorney.
• Nominated children as medical decision-makers and appointed professionals to manage financial affairs if she were ever incapacitated.

Support Through Her Mother’s Estate

• Assisted with grant of probate, tax compliance, and eventual distributions of her late mother’s estate, including the establishment of a testamentary trust to benefit Rebecca and her family.

Outcomes

Rebecca now enjoys complete peace-of-mind. Her assets are structured for long-term tax efficiency and simplicity. She has a steady income stream from her super and trust, travel plans with her children and grandchildren, and a clear estate plan in place to ensure her wishes are honoured.

With financial affairs fully aligned to her values and lifestyle, Rebecca is free to focus on her health, happiness, and the things that matter most; family, wellbeing, and living life on her terms.