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Family Agreements

Living with your adult child? Co-purchasing property? Or building an extension or granny flat with family? Learn more about the value of setting up a formal family agreement.

    Last updated: 18 December 2023
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    Family agreements

    What is a family agreement?

    A family agreement is an arrangement between an older person and someone else regarding care and living arrangements.

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    Family agreements

    What should a family agreement include?

    A family agreement should include everyone’s contributions, what they expect in return, and what should happen if the agreement ends.

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    Family agreements

    Steps to take to arrange a family agreement

    There are many steps to arranging formal family arrangements. This outline will help you understand where to start.

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    Family agreements

    When things go wrong

    Unfortunately, family agreements don't always work out. This can leave an older person in a difficult position, find out what to do when things go wrong.

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    Family agreements

    Centrelink and the age pension

    Older people can receive the age pension through Centrelink/Services Australia, with the amount received dependent on their income and assets.

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    Family agreements

    Intergenerational households

    Many intergenerational households come about as a cultural norm or a way of providing care for ageing parents or grandchildren.

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    Family agreements

    Contributory Parent visas and migration to Australia

    While many people enter into family agreements to ensure they receive some extra support as they age, often a driving motivation is to provide support for their family.

    Senior woman talking with adult daughter
    Family agreements

    Family Agreements tip sheet

    If you are considering entering into a formal Family Agreement here are a few tips to consider.

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    Family agreements

    Family Agreements checklist

    This helpful checklist is a great place to start. It includes summary information about making Family Agreements as well as what to do when things go wrong and where to seek help.

    Family Agreements Resources

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    These video guides help recognise and respond to elder financial abuse for CALD communities have been translated into 1...

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    Preventing Financial Abuse

    This factsheet and checklist offers tips to empower older people to prevent financial abuse.

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    Family Agreements Real Stories

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    Senior woman doing a load of washing

    Elif's story about a family living arrangement gone wrong

    Elif sold her home and contributed most of the proceeds to her son to build an extension for her to live in as she aged. Ten years later she is living in an unfamiliar aged care facility.
    Aged care
    Back of senior mans head

    Yen's story about a family agreement gone wrong

    After selling his home and loaning his son money to pay off his mortgage, Yen expected that he would grow old in the unit his son built him in the yard.
    Family agreements
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