Safe Exit

When ending a relationship where economic harm may be involved, it’s important to think about your banking.

Before you take action, we encourage you to discuss your options with a family violence agency. Ending a relationship can quickly escalate harmful behaviours, especially when family violence is present.

Here are a few suggestions:

Ending your Relationship

When ending a relationship where economic harm may be involved, it’s important to think about your banking.

Here are a few suggestions:

If you don’t have a separate bank account, consider getting one. This can give you sole control over selected funds.

Reset your PINs and passwords, even if you didn’t share them with you partner.

Speak to your employer about options to redirect all or part of your wages into an individual account - if you are using a joint account.

Ask the bank to link your individual account to your work address or friend's address if you want to keep things private. Make sure to get consent from your employer or friend first.

For sole control of your personal account, you may choose to disconnect it from the banking app on your phone. It will be less visible and not as easy to access by your partner.

If you are concerned about privacy when accessing your bank account online - Google Incognito is a browser window that erases your browser history, cookies and sessions after closing the window.

If you are concerned about debt in a relationship, consider having your credit card stopped or lines of credit on joint accounts taken away so no further debt can be added.

The bank can also freeze money in joint accounts if there is a relationship dispute. This is so debt cannot increase just before you separate.

Speak to a lawyer or seek legal advice about property law and how it affects cash, debt and other assets.

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IDs and Documents

If you are leaving a relationship or experiencing disputes over money, it can be useful to keep a copy of your identification and personal documents in a folder in case you need them for banking or legal purposes.

These include your:

Passport
Drivers’ licence
Bank statements
Payslips
Homeownership/rental or mortgage documents
Details of any benefits you receive
Any service bills in your name
Credit card details
Birth certificate
Marriage/divorce certificates

Related resources

The long-term impact of economic harm

Moratorium on attachment orders

Couple in love of 26 years old Down Syndrome in a park in Montreal doing selfie with mobile phone. They are learning to live independently. Color and horizontal photo was taken in Quebec Canada.

Making a Complaint

Couple in 50s and 60s wearing casual clothing and sitting in family living room with color swatches, tile samples, and coffee to inspire ideas for home improvement.

Your Banking

Financial Advisor One to one business meeting

Getting Support

Joint or Separate Accounts

We are a not-for-profit organisation working to improve the financial and social wellbeing of New Zealanders.

The resources on this website are provided free of charge to make sure they are available for people who need them.

If your organisation found these resources helpful, please consider making a donation to ensure we can continue supporting those people who need our help.

You can also make a donation, or set up a recurring donation, by contacting us directly

accounts@goodshepherd.org.nz

STOP - Please confirm your eligibility

We provide loans for essential items but not for cash, vacations, or normal household bills like food or future rent.

To apply for one of our Good Loans you must be:

Over 18 years old
Be an NZ Resident, citizen, or hold a current work or student visa
Be able to afford to repay the loan

IF you are a single person with no dependents receiving jobseeker payments as your main income, we are currently unable to assist with a loan.

For urgent financial support please contact MSD, or contact MoneyTalks to find your nearest financial mentor.

If you provide incorrect information in this enquiry, we may not be able to help you.

Before filling out this form please confirm you understand and meet the criteria.

STOP - Please confirm your eligibility

We provide loans for essential items but not for cash, vacations, or normal household bills like food or future rent.

To apply for one of our Good Loans you must be:

Over 18 years old
Be an NZ Resident, citizen, or hold a current work or student visa
Be able to afford to repay the loan

IF you are a single person with no dependents receiving jobseeker payments as your main income, we are currently unable to assist with a loan.

For urgent financial support please contact MSD, or contact MoneyTalks to find your nearest financial mentor.

If you provide incorrect information in this enquiry, we may not be able to help you.

Before filling out this form please confirm you understand and meet the criteria.

When ending a relationship where economic harm may be involved, it’s important to think about your banking.

Ending your Relationship