Client Case Study
Support When It Matters Most: Helping a Single Mum Through an Urgent Finance Challenge
WhiteStar Finance & Conveyancing — More Than Just Home Loans
Because sometimes life needs fast, flexible solutions outside the traditional mortgage path.
Because life doesn’t always fit neatly into a standard lending box — especially during separation, property settlement or financial hardship.
Life doesn’t pause during a separation
For one of our newest clients, an unexpected demand from the State Revenue Office (SRO) arrived right in the middle of her legal proceedings — adding pressure at the worst possible time.
As a homeowner, a self-employed borrower, and a single mother, she already had more than enough to manage. When the SRO began chasing Land Transfer Fees, she urgently needed funds — but she couldn’t access her home loan due to the separation. The property is solely hers, but her ex-partner had made a claim over it, blocking her ability to refinance a mortgage when separating, complete a title buyout, or use equity until the legal matters were finalised. She was referred to our senior mortgage broker Kelly, who quickly identified that while a mortgage solution wasn’t possible right now, we could still help her manage the urgent SRO issue through alternative lending.
The Challenge: Urgency, Stress & Limited Access
With her ex-partner’s claim in place, the client couldn’t redraw, refinance, release equity or adjust her home loan in any way — it was completely off-limits until separation matters were finalised.
Meanwhile, the SRO deadline was fast approaching. As a self-employed borrower, timing and clarity were crucial. She needed a workable solution quickly to avoid penalties and further stress.
How Max Found the Solution
-
After Kelly referred her internally, to our Car, Asset & Personal Loan Broker Max, he focused on finding a path that didn’t involve her restricted mortgage.
Max:
-
Reviewed her financials straight away
-
Found a lender who could assess self-employed income promptly
-
Workshopped the scenario to meet the SRO timeline
-
Secured the funds she needed to pay the Land Transfer Fees
A calm, practical outcome — without touching her mortgage.
This was possible thanks to WhiteStar’s broader lending options and our experience handling sensitive, time-critical situations where traditional pathways are unavailable.
-
The Result: Relief, Stability & Options Ahead
With the funds released in time, the client paid the SRO fees and avoided escalation.
The relief was immediate, and she expressed genuine gratitude for the support from both Kelly and Max.
Once her separation is finalised, we look forward to helping by:
-
Reviewing her financial position
-
Potentially restructuring debt
-
Reducing repayments
-
Creating long-term stability for her and her children
Why This Story Matters
-
Separation is one of the most emotionally challenging periods in someone’s life — and when financial pressures join in, the situation can feel unmanageable. Many people don’t realise that when a partner makes a claim over a property, even if they are not on the title or mortgage, the legal process can temporarily block all changes. This means homeowners may not be able to refinance a mortgage when separating, access equity, redraw, complete a title buyout, consolidate debt, or explore a mortgage with bad credit until the legal matter is resolved.
These restrictions exist due to legal requirements, not lender refusal, and they often hit people at the worst time — especially when there are urgent bills, children to support, or self-employment income pressures. Financial stress during separation can escalate quickly, leading to long-term consequences if it isn’t managed early.
This case shows that even when you can’t use your mortgage, alternative finance solutions can still exist, helping people stay stable while waiting for the legal process to run its course.
How WhiteStar Supports Clients Through Separation, Refinancing & Complex Scenarios
At WhiteStar, we regularly assist clients navigating relationship breakdowns, refinancing a mortgage during separation, managing mortgages with bad credit, or completing a title buyout as part of their settlement. We are highly experienced in guiding clients through the financial, legal and emotional complexities that come with separation — and we do so with sensitivity, confidentiality and practical support.
In many cases, we even assist both parties in a relationship breakdown. We never share personal or financial information between them; instead, once there is an agreement or direction in place, we simply focus on structuring the finance to support the outcome — whether that means a refinance, a title transfer, debt consolidation, or, when those aren’t possible yet, alternative lending options such as unsecured finance to meet urgent commitments.
Chat with a WhiteStar Mortgage Broker today.
See some of our recent reviews.