Financial
Roadmap
A clear, personalised path to your financial goals.
14 June, 2018
Losing your Partner
First Financial Team
In the aftermath of loss
Losing your partner changes your life. We don’t begin to presume to understand such a difficult time.
But when it comes to your finances, we can offer support and advice.
Thinking about your money may seem unimportant at the time. But the loss of a family member, in particular a spouse, can have a massive impact on your financial situation.
Support when you are ready
A First Financial adviser can provide support, wisdom and good advice when it is most needed. We can take on responsibility for coordinating your new financial situation.
Our process is focused on supporting you and understanding your needs. We’re very aware that adjusting to a different future to the one you previously imagined is incredibly difficult. And it doesn’t happen overnight. Which is why we work at the pace you’re comfortable with.
We take the time to really listen, understand, and focus on you and your needs.
We are here to help
When you’re ready to start sorting out your financial situation, it can be enormously helpful to speak to an adviser.
That way, the unexpected responsibility for things like your household’s finances, including bills and insurance, doesn’t have to be overwhelming.
We will liaise with your lawyer, accountant, bank manager and any other professional partners to help you quickly and easily organise all the urgent aspects of your changed financial circumstances.
We can help with changing bank account names, sorting out wills and probate, applying for benefits, if necessary, reviewing your existing loans or financial obligations as well as life insurance and superannuation claims.
Looking to your future
Having a clear idea of your new financial situation is a great start.
Once you have peace of mind and are ready to move forward, we can begin to consider securing your financial future.
Planning ahead is critical. But you don’t have to do it alone. And we won’t rush you.
We know which financial decisions you need to make now and which financial decisions can wait until you feel ready and able to focus on your financial future.
Financial clarity
We can help to give you some financial clarity based on your changed outlook. It may be that you have an investment plan which needs adjusting. Or we’re building a future plan together.
Either way, we can make sure your investments are in line to achieve what it is that you set out to do.
The good news is, you are not alone when it comes to securing your financial future.
At First Financial we have safely guided many clients through this difficult time in their lives.
We pride ourselves on being good listeners and building a trusted relationship with our clients. While we can’t alleviate your loss, we can take away the stress of an uncertain financial future.
Contact us to talk to a First Financial adviser about your immediate and future financial needs. Read more Financial Planning articles.
YOUR FINANCIAL JOUNEY
Building your financial future
Every client journey begins with a conversation. We look closely at where you are now, what matters to you, and what’s possible. Then we structure our advice to match.
Financial
Tax
Efficiency
Proactive strategies to maximise your tax savings.
Personalised
Investing
Tailored plans aligned with your goals and risk profile.
Ongoing
Support
Regular guidance to keep your plan on track.
CLIENT STORY
John
Life Stage:
Retired business owner
Background:
After decades of running a successful pharmacy, John sought financial guidance to simplify decision-making and support long-term planning.
- Navigated the sale of a long-held business
- Wanted simple, honest advice after burnout
- Needed a hands-on adviser he could talk to
- Desired financial guidance aligned with lifestyle goals
- Crafted a strategy that supports relaxed, post-work life
- Offered approachable, plain-English advice
- Maintained an ongoing, trustworthy relationship
- Provided flexibility with investments and cash flow
“I feel genuinely supported by First Financial. I can ask anything, and there’s no pressure, just clear advice and real care. The money’s growing, I’m not stressed about it, and I feel completely at ease for the first time. I don’t miss work, but I’d miss the support I get from First Financial.”
CLIENT STORY
Lyn
Life Stage:
Retired widow
Background:
Lyn stepped into financial management for the first time after her husband's passing. With patience and care, First Financial supported her through grief, learning, and empowerment.
- Had never managed finances before
- Was overwhelmed after her husband’s passing
- Needed plain-English explanations and patience
- Sought emotional support and practical clarity
- Offered caring, respectful advice at her pace
- Rebuilt confidence with diagrams, stories, and reassurance
- Supported gradual decision-making around retirement
- Remained a trusted constant through major transitions
“After my husband passed, I was completely unsure where to start. First Financial gave me the space to learn, to ask questions, to grow confident. They drew a diagram that I still have. And now, I sleep well at night knowing I’ve got someone in my corner.”
CLIENT STORY
Larry and Virginia
Life Stage:
Newly retired
Background:
As retirement neared, Larry and Virginia were ready to enjoy travel, family, and freedom, without uncertainty. A friend recommended First Financial, and from the first meeting, they had a clear plan, a safety net, and people they trusted.
- Wanted to travel and enjoy retirement without second-guessing finances
- Needed a structured income plan with buffers for the unexpected
- Valued guidance that felt honest and human, not overcomplicated
- Needed people they could call and count on
- Created a reliable income stream with a set-aside safety net for the unexpected
- Gave them the freedom to travel and spend meaningfully with family
- Kept advice simple, thoughtful, and tailored to what mattered to them
- Built a lasting partnership based on trust
“We’ve travelled the world, Europe, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, without once stressing about the money. They made everything feel simple and gave us the confidence to live well. We feel secure because we know exactly where we stand, and that peace of mind means everything.”
CLIENT STORY
Jan
Life Stage:
Retired
Background:
Jan's husband managed the finances until entering aged care. Jan gradually stepped into the financial picture with First Financial’s support.
- Needed financial guidance after business sale
- Lacked experience managing complex finances
- Sought consistent income and long-term structure
- Wanted a familiar, reliable relationship
- Provided long-term support through several transitions
- Helped structure income reliably for retirement
- Empowered Jan through education and reassurance
- Delivered calm advice through both grief and growth
“The money just comes in. I don’t have to think about it. And I know they’re always there. They’ve always been there in the background, just quietly making things work.”
CLIENT STORY
Tim and Adam
Life Stage:
Early retirement and working professional
Background:
When Tim received an overseas medical settlement, he and Adam had just 14 days left in a 90-day window. They needed clear guidance, fast. A referral led them to First Financial.
- Only two weeks left to meet urgent legal and financial deadlines
- Wanted to preserve capital while setting up income for the future
- Needed a plan that supported both retirement and ongoing work
- Hoped to find advice that felt personal, not transactional
- Managed every moving piece, from legal documents to super rollovers
- Designed a strategy that supported both Tim’s retirement and Adam’s career
- Offered clear guidance with steady follow-through, with no stress or pressure
- Built in ethical investing and flexibility, without sacrificing performance
“We’re in totally different life stages, but First Financial built a strategy that supports us both. From urgent legal steps to ethical investing, they handled every detail with calm, care, and real expertise. It’s financial freedom without compromise, and we couldn’t have done it without them.”
CLIENT STORY
Graeme and Craig
Life Stage:
Retired and semi-retired
Background:
Referred by friends helped through aged care, Craig sought secure financial guidance after inheriting funds.
- Invest inheritance securely without high risk
- Maintain a modest lifestyle with confidence
- Building trust for someone new to advice
- Accessible, personalised advice
- Provided a low-risk strategy with regular income
- Reassured with steady, market-aware updates
- Established trust through responsiveness and warmth
- Delivered calm, expert support through all transitions
“We feel very secure with First Financial, the income just comes in, and we know everything is being looked after. It’s not just safe, it’s smart. We’ve recommended them to others because we genuinely believe in the team.”
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