A platform aiming to centralise services that help individuals through challenges such as separation or divorce is seeking greater broker engagement, offering potential qualified leads.
Launched in June 2023, Australian Family Law Advisory Services (AFLAS) matches clients with providers as they go through the journey of their family law or relationship issues.
“AFLAS exists as an offering to align the needs of people when they are navigating relationship and life changes,” said AFLAS CEO Tony Coughlan (pictured above).
“Rather than people struggling with disjointed services, AFLAS provides clarity and saves time, energy and money for people, as they deal with big life changes such as divorce and separation.”
While this holistic approach connects people with a variety of services from lawyers, counsellors and psychologists to accountants and financial advisers, many facing separation also need the services of mortgage brokers.
“Legal services are just one piece of the service pie. Many relationship breakdowns will involve a property, and many people will need the services of a mortgage broker as a result,” Coughlan said.
“For example, if they sell their joint property and then need mortgage advice on their next purchase, or when one party is buying out the other party and needs to remortgage.”
Coughlan said mortgage brokers who joined the platform would benefit from being connected with clients at the right stage in their journey in the form of pre-qualified client leads who need mortgage help.
“We act as the conduit, making it easy for people and for service providers to connect, and to be a central point of truth when accessing the right support.”
Given that the platform had just started, Coughlan said it “may take a little time” to generate a pipeline of leads.
“Some of our clients are in the pipeline process currently. They still need to go through the decision-making process, which, in the case of divorce, can be time-consuming,” he said.
“In an Australian context, divorce typically marks the endpoint. Divorce itself is essentially the final signing of paperwork, confirming everyone's agreement. Thus, we target and trigger mortgage brokers just before the divorce signing, as it's the right stage in their journey."
Considering that there were more than 56,000 divorces and over 89,000 new couples just married in Australia in 2021, according to ABS data, the pipeline could fill up quick.
Divorce is also a key factor in creating financial stress among Australian couples.
Furthermore, AFLAS doesn’t just deal with divorce but with a range of issues, from questions around child support and adoption to moving in with a partner, domestic abuse and LGBTQIA+ rights.
“Inevitably, there will be crossovers through these channels as well,” Coughlan said.
"Having mortgage brokers join us is crucial. When the flow happens, we can immediately connect them with clients needing assistance and keep them informed about upcoming pipeline cases,” Coughlan said.
“In terms of who gets the leads, it’s first in best dressed. But I’m sure as our client network grows there will plenty to share around to the mortgage brokers signed on our platform.”
To get involved, brokers just need to jump onto the AFLAS website and book an appointment.
Coughlan said having a pre-screening appointment is crucial to ensure the broker gets a qualified lead and the customer receives the best possible services.
"While many organisations rely solely on online interactions, we take a different approach. We proactively connect with brokers, arranging calls to understand their expertise and geographic presence,” Coughlan said.
“This helps us identify their competitive advantages. We then record notes and associate them with brokers, enabling us to match them with customers in our pipeline. This personal touch is crucial not only for validation but also for fostering a strong connection between brokers and customers throughout their journey."
While initially based in Victoria, AFLAS has expanded to where the service is needed.
“Our plan is to expand over the next three to six months. In fact, we're already receiving inquiries from clients as far away as America."
