Gavin Latz offers financial advisory services to help families dealing with a child's cancer diagnosis. As a parent who went through this experience, he understands the challenges of balancing hospital, home, and work while focusing on a child's health. His services include assistance completing paperwork for benefits, providing financial guidance, and answering money-related questions so families can focus on their child's care. Common issues he helps with include managing time off work, affording time away from regular income, and applying for Centrelink entitlements. His goal is to lighten financial burdens during a difficult time.

1. What to do next
Although finances may be the last thing you want to discuss right
now, the very reason I offer this service is to be that ‘someone else’
who can do the financial paperwork for you; someone who has
been through it before.
There is no cost to meet with me to talk over how I can help and
no cost either to provide you with general advice services like
assistance with paperwork and talking with Centrelink. My office
is located in Parramatta or I can come to you. I also understand
it’s hard enough planning tomorrow let alone next week, so I am
flexible and understand things can change in a moment. The
reason I am doing this, and that Redkite is supporting it, is because
I’ve been there, and together we want to help lighten the load.
Keep strong,
Gavin Latz
The Parents Adviser
Contact The Parents Adviser
Gavin Latz AFP, Dip.FP, BA (Hons)
Senior Financial Planner | Financial Coach
tel 02 8856 0966 or 0447 752 111
email gavin@vfin.com.au
linkedin au.linkedin.com/in/gavinlatz
website www.theparentsadviser.com.au
*Lending services are referred to Finconnect (Australia) Pty Ltd ABN 45 122 896 477
Australian Credit Licence No.385888 a wholly owned subsidiary of Count Financial.
This document has been prepared by Count Financial Limited ABN 19 001 974 625, AFSL
227232, (Count) a wholly-owned, non-guaranteed subsidiary of Commonwealth Bank of
Australia ABN 48 123 123 124. ‘Count’ and Count Wealth Accountants® are trading names
of Count. Count advisers are authorised representatives of Count. Information in this
document is based on current regulatory requirements and laws, which may be subject
to change. While care has been taken in the preparation of this document, no liability
is accepted by Count, its related entities, agents and employees for any loss arising from
reliance on this document. This document contains general advice. It does not take account
of your individual objectives, financial situation or needs. You should consider talking to a
financial adviser before making a financial decision. 22456/0616
Vue Financial Pty Ltd | ABN 36 607 399 584
Corporate Authorised Representative no. 1239226
Consumer Credit Representative No. 395860*

2. My Story
If you are reading this because your child has been diagnosed with
cancer you may be trying to picture what the next few months
will look like. How to function day to day and trying to juggle the
hospital, home and work. All your energy is focused on the health
of your child and it can take a toll on your finances.
I have sat where you are now, and I would like to help.
In 2012 our 6 year old son was diagnosed with Lymphoma and
it was a really hard time for the whole family. Like everyone, with
little sleep and a heavy heart, my wife and I struggled through the
Centrelink paperwork, spoke to our employers, our lenders and
wondered if we were going to be OK with the huge unknown
ahead of us.
Even with a background in finance, we found the task of applying
for entitlements extremely time consuming and confusing and just
didn’t want to spend that time away from our son (we had two
other kids as well). The new circumstances we found ourselves
in, meant that all the plans we had made to date were put on
hold. We had a lot of questions and didn’t know where to get
the answers quickly. We wished there was an easier way.
When our son finished his treatment, I created ‘The Parents
Adviser’. My name is Gavin Latz and I have 14 years of experience
as a Financial Adviser. I have specialised in helping people living
with and affected by cancer, as I know the challenges that many
families face in this situation. I can answer your money related
questions, fill out paperwork and provide some financial guidance
for this challenging time. This will give you the space to focus on
what is important – your child and family.
How can The Parents Adviser help?
Being a financial adviser, we always had some kind of a financial
plan in place, but Liam’s diagnosis threw any of those plans for the
future (financial or otherwise) right out the window. There were a
lot of questions we needed answered before we could make other
family decisions such as:
•• Can we take time off from work and how much leave do we have?
•• Can we afford the time off we need and what about my business?
•• How will we cope with our other kids and their needs especially
day care schooling?
•• What Centrelink entitlements are we eligible for and how do
I apply for them?
If you have any questions like the above, feel free to call or send
me an email.
Some things to think about
Even if you are not ready to speak to me, you can visit my website
www.theparentsadviser.com.au which has many useful resources
at hand. The information below may also be useful.
Considerations
DO NOW
Centrelink
There might be payments that you can apply for immediately;
The Carer Allowance for example. Other payments you could also
be eligible for include the Carer Payment and Family Tax Benefits
A B and concession cards.
IMMEDIATE FUTURE
Loans
There are options with home loans such as converting to interest
only, redraw facilities and refinancing to unlock equity which can
all be investigated if needed.*
Income Budgeting
In times like these, managing your cash flow effectively will make
you feel more in control and help give you peace of mind. There
are resources that can help you manage this.
Insurance
Call your health insurance fund and tell them about your situation.
They can advise how your policy works and if there’s anything you
need to do. Check your personal insurance policies if you have any.
Some have ‘child linked’ benefits you could be eligible for which
are worth investigating.
Superannuation
In extreme circumstances, there are ways to apply for early access
of some of your accumulated super. Sometimes you may even
have what is known as ‘unrestricted’ benefits that are accessible
now. This would be considered a last resort and you would need
help here.