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Superannuation Matters: But How Is It Relevant To Estate Planning?
So what happens to superannuation when you die? Generally speaking, superannuation is an asset that does not fall into your estate. This can have significant benefits and can be an essential aspect of your estate planning, especially for those who are in business or...
Recovering A Parent’s Share In A Disputed Property
The last twenty years has seen a significant increase in the prices and value of residential real estate. Consequently, a situation sometimes arises whereby elderly parents have built up significant equity in their home, while their adult children are unable to...
Preparing Sentences
A great deal of my work as a criminal defence lawyer is dedicated to representing my client’s best interests on sentence proceedings following a plea of guilty. My role is to prepare and present the case to achieve the best possible outcome for each client....
Legal Implications For De Facto & Same Sex Couples Under The Family Law Act & Marriage Act
Under the Family Law Act 1975 (Cth) (“the Act“), same sex couples and heterosexual de facto couples are granted the same rights as married couples with respect to their property rights, provided that they meet the definition of a ‘de facto’ couple by proving one of...
Spike In Drug Usage Calls For Tougher Penalties
In the past few months, we have noticed a significant increase in drug-related offences. This coincides with research recently conducted by the Australian Crime Commission which identified an increase in drug seizures, arrests and charges throughout the country and...
Guarantee Disputes
One of the most contentious areas of finance law is that of guarantees. This typically involves the guarantee by one person of a loan made by a financial institution to another person who is often in a family relationship with the guarantor (for example, the...
Is The QBCC Merits Review A Sham?
In 2014, we reported that proposed amendments to the Queensland Building and Construction Commission Act 1991 (“QBCC Act”) represented a dramatic shift in the powers of the Queensland Building and Construction Commission (“QBCC”) against building licence holders. In...
Lost Wills
You may think that if a will is lost, that it no longer exists and cannot be used to distribute the estate of a loved one who has died. This is not correct. Provided certain conditions are met, the court will admit to probate a will that has been reconstructed from...
Variation Of Parenting Orders
So, you have obtained formal parenting orders but you want to make a change to them. Easy right? Not so fast. Orders are essentially a structured arrangement outlining the manner in which children shall live and spend time with their parents. Orders can be made by...