Planning for what happens after you die is a key step in estate planning and shows love for your family. This is especially important if you have children or vulnerable adults depending on you financially. A testamentary trust might be the right tool to help you look after those you love. What is a testamentary […]
Divorce, de factos and superannuation splitting
Once a couple is separated, their superannuation (Super) is treated as property under the Family Law Act 1975 (Cth) (FLA) and the value of the couples’ Super benefits will be taken into account when determining a property settlement. Super is held in trust and differs from other types of property, there are rules that govern […]
Understanding what a Plea in Mitigation means
If a person pleads “guilty” in a criminal case there will be an opportunity to address the Court before sentencing. This oral address is made, usually by the offenders lawyer, in an endeavor to ensure the minimum sentence possible in the circumstances and to assist the Court in sentencing the offender. The representations made by […]
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 some groundwork yourself A specific process […]
First Home Buyers Choice NSW – stamp duty v land tax
For most people, buying their first home is a huge challenge, both financially and personally. With the cost of the “average” home in New South Wales exceeding a million dollars, saving a 20% deposit is itself a substantial undertaking, usually requiring years of sacrifice. The deposit is not the only amount that buyers in New […]
The importance of character references in a Court case
If you know someone who is being sentenced in Court and they ask you for a character reference do you know what to do? The purpose of a character reference for a person who has pleaded guilty to a criminal or traffic matter is to bring to the Court’s attention details of good character about […]