Does your business have a Will?
Most people recognise the importance of having a Will to determine how their estate is distributed when they die. If you are self-employed, a partner in a business or co-director of a company, having a ‘Will’ or succession plan for your business is equally important....
Enduring Powers of Attorney explained
A lot of people have heard of a Power of Attorney however most do not fully appreciate the extent of its power, the benefits it delivers or the types of Powers of Attorney that exist. A Power of Attorney is a useful legal document used to allow someone to handle your...
What a Will Kit doesn’t do
There are various ‘Will Kits’ available on-line – most are cheap or ‘free’ and all you need to do is download them and fill in the blanks. Many websites boast that you can prepare your Will ‘without spending hundreds of dollars on legal fees’. Simple, right? Not...
Top five things to consider when moving into a Retirement Village
A retirement village is a community-style residential development offering accommodation, facilities and services to people from retirement age onwards. There are many types of arrangements which should be carefully explored before making your move to...
Affordable break-ups – the sensible approach to dividing property
If you have recently separated, one of the concerns you will probably have is the size of your legal bill after your property matters are sorted. Below are our top tips for keeping your family law property costs down without skimping on sound legal advice. Tip 1 – do...
Accessing digital assets – estate planning essentials
The recent death (or purported death) of Gerald Cotton, former Chief Executive Officer of Canadian cryptocurrency exchange company, Quadriga CX, emphasises the importance of planning your electronic after-life. Mr Cotton’s death in India at the age of 30, has not only...
Protecting business interests in family law proceedings
Family law issues can be disruptive to a business entity, with the potential to adversely affect its activities, cashflow, and financial viability. Problems can stem from a relationship breakdown between domestic co-owners, or the divorce or separation of a...
The benefits of Testamentary Trusts
Having worked hard over the years to accumulate wealth, most people want to ensure that their assets are available for future generations and not squandered by a frivolous beneficiary or accessible to an unintended recipient. If you have acquired reasonable assets,...
Estate planning for blended families
Most of us appreciate the importance of making a Will and having an estate plan that sets out how we would like to provide for and pass on assets to our loved ones when we die. If, like many Australians, you belong to a blended family, you may have additional factors...
We’re still friends, why do we need a ‘legal’ property settlement?
Many couples separate on good terms, which is great. The breakdown of a relationship can be difficult, however putting differences aside to move forward can be beneficial, particularly where children are concerned. Ex-partners who remain on good terms may choose to...