How Many Passwords Should I Change?

Separation is rarely simple. In today’s digital world, it often involves far more than dividing bank accounts and household possessions. Many separated couples remain connected through shared passwords, cloud accounts, devices, apps, subscription services, online banking and location‑sharing tools.

After separation, these digital connections can create risks to privacy, personal safety, financial security and legal confidentiality. In some cases, continued access to accounts or devices may amount to family violence, financial abuse, stalking, intimidation or coercive control. Ongoing access can allow a former partner to:

- monitor emails or messages
- view bank balances and transactions
- track movements and routines
- access photographs and personal documents
- read confidential correspondence, including communications with a solicitor.

The practical answer is this: if an account, app or device can reveal your location, communications, finances, children’s routines or legal strategy, it should be reviewed and secured as a priority.

Step 1 – Start with a Digital Inventory

The first practical step is to create a digital inventory. Most people underestimate how many accounts, devices and platforms are connected to a former partner.

Your inventory should include but is not limited to:

- your email or Google accounts
- online banking and payment apps
- myGov (Medicare and ATO)
- Service NSW
- social media
- Apple ID
- online shopping
- toll accounts
- utilities such as insurance or property outgoings
- school and childcare apps
- smart home devices
- location-sharing apps
- fitness apps; and
- children’s devices.

A written inventory allows you to work through each account methodically and record what has been secured.

Step 2 – Secure your devices

Before changing passwords, secure the devices you use daily, including phones, tablets and computers.
This should include:

- changing device passcodes
- enabling Face ID, fingerprint or biometric locks
- updating operating systems and apps
- checking for unknown connected devices or Bluetooth pairings
- reviewing location‑sharing settings.

Step 3 – Change passwords properly

Minor password changes are rarely enough. Changing “Password1” to “Password2” is not secure. Passwords should be strong, unique and difficult for a former partner to guess. A reputable password manager can assist by generating and storing secure passwords.

Priority should be given to the accounts that control access to everything else. These usually include your primary email account, online banking, phone provider account, myGov, Apple ID, Google account, cloud storage, social media, password manager and any account containing saved payment details.

Step 4 – Create new accounts where needed

A common risk after separation is unauthorised access to online banking. This may include transferring money, withdrawing funds from joint accounts, changing passwords, cancelling cards or restricting access to money needed for rent, groceries, children’s expenses or legal costs.

Financial abuse is recognised as a form of family violence under the Family Law Act 1975 (Cth). It can include behaviour that unreasonably controls another person’s financial independence or prevents them from accessing financial resources, including the visibility of one’s bank accounts. Examples include emptying or significantly reducing joint accounts, monitoring transactions, cancelling access to cards, withholding money for ordinary living expenses, redirecting income or benefits, or using financial pressure to control negotiations.

Significant withdrawals or account changes can also affect property settlement issues. For that reason, any major financial step should be taken carefully, with a clear record of what was done and why. If you believe money has been transferred without consent, or you are being monitored, stalked, harassed or impersonated online, clear records of these concerns such as bank statements, screenshots of threatening messages or notifications are important.

Joint bank accounts require particular care. Many joint accounts allow either party to withdraw funds without the other party’s consent. In some cases, an account may be converted to require two signatures or two approvals before funds can be moved. Any such step should be documented, particularly where family law property negotiations are underway.

Step 5 – Review location sharing and social media

Location sharing is one of the most overlooked digital risks after separation. Check whether your location is being shared through Find My iPhone, Google Maps, Life360, Snapchat, WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, Strava, Garmin, Runna, car apps, AirTags, Tiles or children’s devices.

Social media can unintentionally disclose where you are, who you are with, what your children are doing and when your home may be empty.

If you have fears for your safety, consider making accounts private, removing unknown or unsafe followers, restricting story visibility, and avoiding real-time posts about your movements. If parenting proceedings are underway, social media posts may become evidence. Posts denigrating the other parent, the children, court proceedings or financial matters should be approached carefully.

Cyber safety in family law proceedings

The Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia increasingly recognises digital abuse, coercive control and financial abuse in both parenting and property matters.

In parenting cases, digital abuse may be relevant to risk assessments, family violence findings and communication arrangements. In some cases, court orders may limit communication methods or prohibit tracking, monitoring or harassment.

It is also important to understand that secretly recording private conversations can be unlawful. In New South Wales, the Surveillance Devices Act 2007 (NSW) restricts the recording of private conversations without consent, subject to limited exceptions. Secret recordings, particularly involving children, can create serious legal scrutiny.

In property matters, financial abuse may be relevant where one party has controlled money, depleted joint funds or restricted access to resources. Amendments to the Family Law Act 1975 (Cth) commencing on 10 June 2025 now require the Court to consider the economic effect of family violence in property settlements, including its impact on contributions and future circumstances. The leading authority on family violence in property settlement remains Kennon & Kennon (1997) FLC 92-757, which establishes family violence may be relevant where it has made a party’s contributions significantly more arduous, and Keating & Keating [2019] FamCAFC 46 where the Full Court reinforced that allegations of family violence in property matters must be properly particularised and supported by evidence. These reforms largely codify and expand upon economic effect of family violence, but the profession is still waiting for a clear leading authority on how the amended provisions will be applied and quantified in practice.

Need help navigating separation safely?

Cyber safety issues often overlap with parenting arrangements, financial security and family violence concerns. If you are unsure what steps to take, or are worried about ongoing access, monitoring or financial control, early legal advice can make a significant difference.

Baker Love Lawyers has extensive experience assisting clients through separation, including matters involving digital abuse, financial control and complex safety concerns. If you would like tailored advice for your circumstances, contact Baker Love today to arrange a confidential consultation.

ABOUT LILY SANDERS
Family Law Solicitor

Known for a calm and approachable manner, Lily focuses on building strong relationships with clients and communicating in a clear, down-to-earth way.

Lily understands that legal issues can feel complex and, at times, confronting, and works closely with clients to break things down and guide them toward practical, achievable outcomes.

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