Buying a home in your name when your husband is terminally ill, or after he has passed

Buying a home in your name when your husband is terminally ill, or after he has passed

Quick answer: If your husband is terminally ill, you can apply for a home loan as a sole applicant using your own income, savings and credit history. Planning while he is alive is generally simpler than after death, because probate delays are avoided and documentation is cleaner. If he has already passed away, you can still buy a home in your name using your income, your savings and any funds available to you. In both cases, speaking to a mortgage broker early helps you understand what is realistic, and a licensed financial adviser can guide the bigger picture decisions about insurance, super and inheritance. The rest of this post explains both paths in detail.

I want to be honest about why I'm writing this post.

Almost nobody talks about this stage of life with women. There is plenty written about widows in general, and plenty written about couples buying together. But the women I sit across from who are planning a home purchase while their husband is still alive, knowing he won't be for long, or who are trying to make sense of property decisions in the months or years after he has passed, are mostly doing it without a guide.

You are not alone in this. And whichever stage you are in, you deserve information that meets you where you are.

This post is split into two sections. The first is for women planning ahead while their husband is still alive. The second is for widows, whether recently bereaved or further along, who are ready to think about a home of their own.

You can read just the section that applies to you, or both.

Part one: If he is still here

Planning ahead is one of the most loving and protective things you can do for yourself and your children, and it is a million times easier to do while he is still alive.

Here is what to think about, in roughly the order it matters.

1. Understand what serviceability looks like on your income alone

A mortgage in your sole name will be assessed on your income alone, your existing debts, your credit history and your living expenses. His income, even if he is still earning, will not always be included on a sole application.

This is the first conversation to have with a mortgage broker. You need to know what you can borrow on your own before you start looking at properties, before you make decisions about the bigger financial picture, and before you have any difficult family conversations.

2. Get clear on the bigger financial picture with the right professionals

There are decisions in this stage that sit beyond what a mortgage broker can advise on. Life insurance, superannuation, beneficiary nominations, estate planning and the tax treatment of various payouts all need a licensed financial adviser, your super fund, and a solicitor.

This is the time to build a small team around you. A financial adviser with experience in terminal illness planning. A solicitor for wills and powers of attorney. Your husband's super fund (and your own) for beneficiary nominations. Each will help you understand what is in place, what needs updating, and how the pieces fit together.

Do not try to figure this out alone late at night with a search engine. Get the right people in the room.

3. Get your own financial house in order

While you are gathering information, also tidy up your own position. Pay down or close any small consumer debts that hurt your serviceability. Make sure you have a credit card or two in your sole name with a clean repayment history. Pull your free credit report to check there are no surprises. Confirm your income is documented properly, especially if you work part-time, casually, or run your own business. Build up your savings in an account in your sole name. The cleaner your file, the smoother the approval.

4. Think about timing without rushing

There is a balance to find here, and it is different for every family.

Buying too early can put you under unnecessary financial pressure while you are also caring for him. Buying too late can mean dealing with probate, estate administration, or being assessed by lenders during the most exhausting period of your life.

There is no single right window, and no rule about when you should act. What matters is that the timing is yours, made with clear information from the right professionals, not driven by panic or by other people's expectations.

A mortgage broker can help you understand how different timing scenarios would affect your loan application. A financial adviser can help you understand how different timing affects the bigger picture. Together, that is enough to make the call when you are ready.

5. Plan for the transition, not just the purchase

The day you settle on the property is not the end of the planning. Think ahead to how the mortgage will be serviced if your income changes (carer responsibilities, bereavement leave, reduced hours), and whether the property should be held in your name only or in a structure that protects it for your children.

Your solicitor and financial adviser can walk you through the structuring decisions before you sign anything. A mortgage broker can run scenarios on how different repayment strategies affect your long-term position.

Part two: If he has already passed

Whether it has been three months or three years, deciding to buy a home of your own after losing your husband or partner is significant. There is no right or wrong timeline. What matters is that the decision is yours, made on your terms, with the right information.

1. Move at your pace, not anyone else's

Major financial decisions after bereavement are best made when you feel ready, not when others think you should be ready. Grief affects judgment, energy and risk tolerance, and the decisions made under pressure are often the ones you regret later.

If you are feeling pressure to act quickly, ask yourself whether the urgency is real or imposed. Sometimes there are genuine deadlines, like a lease ending or children needing stability. More often, the urgency comes from people around you who are uncomfortable with your uncertainty.

You are allowed to wait until you are ready. You are also allowed to feel ready sooner than other people expect. Both are valid. Speak to a financial adviser before making any major financial decision so you understand your full picture before you act.

2. Get clarity on what you actually have

Before you can plan a purchase, you need a clear picture of your current financial position. A financial adviser experienced with bereaved clients can help you map this without rushing you into decisions. Ask specifically for someone who works with widows.

Once you know what you have, a mortgage broker can show you what that means for your borrowing capacity and your options.

3. Understand how your borrowing capacity has changed

If you were previously assessed jointly with your husband, your sole borrowing capacity will look different now. Lump sum funds available to you can count toward your deposit, which can significantly reduce the amount you need to borrow.

You can now apply as a single applicant on your own income, which means your loan is structured around your real life, not the household income you no longer have. A mortgage broker can run the numbers based on your actual situation, including any ongoing income streams.

4. Think carefully about how to fund the purchase

There are several ways to fund a home purchase as a widow, and the right one depends on your overall financial position. This is exactly the kind of decision worth taking to a licensed financial adviser before you commit. A mortgage broker can run the loan structure scenarios. A financial adviser can help you weigh up the bigger picture, including what to do with any lump sums you have received, how it affects your long-term financial security, and what trade-offs each option involves.

Do not make this decision alone. Get advice.

5. Buy a home that fits your future, not your past

The home you shared was the right home for the family you had. The home you buy now needs to fit the life you are actually going to live.

Be honest about whether you want to stay in the same area, downsize, move closer to support, or start somewhere completely new. Be honest about what you can maintain on your own, both financially and physically. Be honest about whether you are buying for yourself, for your children, or because you feel you should.

There is no rule that says a widow must stay near where her husband died, and no rule that says she must move. Your call. Your future.

6. Update everything once you are settled

Once the new home is yours, take the time to update your will, your enduring power of attorney, and other important documents with your solicitor. If you have children, your solicitor can guide you through naming guardians and any structures that may protect their inheritance.

This is the part most women put off because it feels morbid. Do it anyway. It is a single afternoon with a solicitor that protects everything you have built.

A note on the emotional weight

There is no clean way to plan financially around someone you love dying, and no clean way to make financial decisions in the wake of losing them. Holding a calculator in one hand and his hand in the other, or signing paperwork that no longer needs his signature, is a strange and quiet kind of grief. Anticipatory grief is real, and so is the bone-deep fatigue of bereavement. You are allowed to feel both heartbroken and capable at the same time. Planning is not betrayal. It is care, extended into the future he wanted for you.

If you need support, Griefline (1300 845 745) offers free counselling for grief at any stage. Canteen supports families with children. Many palliative care services include social workers who can help with practical and emotional planning together. For widows specifically, support groups offer community with people who understand.

You are allowed to plan. You are allowed to start over.

The women I work with who navigate this stage with the most stability are the ones who gave themselves permission to think about their own future, whether their husband was still here or already gone, and who built the right team of professionals around them.

If you want a private, free space to start working through your numbers, your goals, and your next steps, that is exactly what Runa was built for. No broker calls. No sales pitch. Just the tools and knowledge to help you understand where you stand and what is possible from here.

Sign up free at runaapp.com.au

If you would like to speak directly about your home loan options, I offer confidential, no-obligation conversations for women navigating this stage of life. There is no pressure, and there is no cost.

Frequently asked questions

Can I get a mortgage in my own name if my husband is terminally ill?

Yes. You can apply for a home loan as a sole applicant using your own income, savings and credit history. Your husband does not need to be on the application, and his illness does not affect your eligibility. Lenders will assess your borrowing capacity based on your income alone, so it is worth speaking to a mortgage broker early to understand what is realistic.

Can a widow get a home loan in Australia?

Yes. Widows can apply for a home loan as a sole applicant using their own income, savings and any other available funds. Lenders assess the application based on your current financial position, not your previous joint position. Many lenders are experienced with these applications and the process is generally straightforward with the right documentation.

Should I buy a house before or after my husband passes away?

Both are possible, and there is no single right answer. Buying while he is alive can be simpler from a documentation perspective and avoids probate delays. Buying after death is also possible but often involves estate administration. The right answer depends on your specific circumstances, your readiness, and the bigger financial picture, which is best worked through with a mortgage broker and a licensed financial adviser together.

How long should I wait after my husband dies before buying a house?

There is no fixed timeline. The right time to buy is when you feel ready, not when others think you should be ready. Major financial decisions made under pressure or while in early grief are often the ones widows regret later. Speak to a financial adviser to understand your full picture before you make any major decision, and move at your own pace. Your broker may have a financial advisor in their network, it is worth asking.

Will I have to sell the house if my husband dies?

Not if the home is in your sole name and you can service the mortgage on your income alone. This is the central reason for planning the purchase as a sole applicant. If the home is in joint names, ownership may transfer to you automatically as the surviving joint tenant, the loan may need to be reassessed in your name only, and the lender will want evidence you can continue to service it.

What professionals should I have on my team during this stage of life?

A mortgage broker for home loan questions and serviceability. A licensed financial adviser for the bigger picture, including insurance, super, inheritance and long-term planning. A solicitor for wills, powers of attorney, estate matters and property structuring. Your husband's super fund and your own super fund for any beneficiary or membership questions. Building this team early, while he is still alive if possible, makes every decision that follows easier.

Where can I get free support while planning a home purchase during terminal illness or after bereavement?

Free financial counselling is available through the National Debt Helpline (1800 007 007). Most palliative care services include social workers. Griefline (1300 845 745) supports anticipatory and ongoing grief. Mortgage brokers, including Matilda Tree Finance, offer no-cost initial consultations for home loan questions. Runa, a free financial literacy app for Australian women, also provides tools and content for women navigating major life transitions.

This article is general information only and does not constitute financial, legal or tax advice. Please speak to a licensed financial adviser, solicitor and your superannuation fund about your specific circumstances.

Rielle Berglund is a mortgage broker and the founder of Matilda Tree Finance. She works with Australian women navigating major financial transitions, including separation, divorce, terminal illness and bereavement. She is also the creator of Runa, a free financial literacy app built for exactly this stage of life.

Book a confidential conversation with Rielle at [matildatree.com.au] or start with Runa, free, at [runaapp.com.au].