Stella Network relaunches with divorce advice webinar series

The Stella Network, a group connecting women across financial services, has relaunched with a new series of webinars designed for financial advisers to improve their delivery of tailored solutions for women going through divorce.

The webinars come as the latest data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) confirms that while the number of divorces granted declined by three per cent in 2024, the median age at divorce has increased for both men and women to 47.1 years and 44.1 years, respectively.

Further research from Australian Seniors also indicated that ‘grey divorces’ were steadily rising, with approximately one-third of divorces now occurring after the age of 50.

Stella Network chief executive, Julia Newbould, said the trends showcase a growing discrepancy between women’s preparedness in the event of divorce compared to men, due to general financial dependence on partners, career interruptions, child-care responsibilities and overall lower incomes.

Newbould said financial advice is critical for this cohort to navigate their wealth post-divorce, with the webinars offering an opportunity for advisers to improve their skills and better support clients at all possible life stages.

“It’s vitally important for financial advisers and other professionals to have a wider understanding of what divorce means for a couple and for the outcomes they seek. This means having a network beyond advice and into the law, accounting and other professions.

“Networks play a vital role in ensuring women have access to the information and collaboration they need to source the best advice for their circumstances.”

The four-part divorce webinar series hosted by the Stella Network will bring together expertise from various sectors including financial advice, legal, mediation, broking and accounting, to provide a holistic view of the solutions that can better service women going through divorce.

“There is little doubt that having a financial planner is the secret to avoiding divorce and can bring a couple headed for divorce back to the table,” Divorce coach and webinar participant, Dominique Bergel-Grant, said.

“However, this only works if as finance professionals, we understand the role we play in how couples discuss money, make financial decisions and are willing to have tough conversations around financial control.”

The first webinar is scheduled to take place online on Wednesday 27 August.