Testamentary trusts can be very effective estate planning tools to assist in providing for spouses, children and grandchildren, and are becoming increasingly popular as more people become aware of their advantages. A Testamentary Trust is any trust established under a will, but the term is usually used in the context of a discretionary family trust […]
Superannuation splitting laws – things you need to know
When a marriage or de facto relationship breaks down property can be divided between the parties. Superannuation is treated as property under the Family Law Act and as such can be adjusted, transferred or divided between parties when a relationship breaks down. Although it should be noted that de facto couples in Western Australia are not subject to […]
E-conveyancing the way of the future
For the past 150 years when completing a property settlement it has been necessary for lawyers and banks to meet up to check and swap documents and bank cheques. The party that ended up with the documents then had to lodge them at the Land Registry and notify government authorities about the transaction. Many of […]
Saving your rights to see your grandchildren
If you are a grandparent and face the sad circumstance of a break up in your family group, through separation or unforeseen events, you may be worried about your right to continue seeing much-loved grandchildren. Unfortunately, some grandparents only see their grandchildren at crowded school events or from the sideline at sporting occasions. In Australia, […]
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 affairs in a variety […]
Understanding a Commercial Lease
When renting business related property it is important for both Landlords and Tenants to understand the relationship they are entering into and the rights and obligations that they each have, the document that governs this relationship is usually a Commercial Lease. So what is a Commercial Lease? A lease is a legally binding contract that […]