WILLS & ESTATES

If you feel as though you have been unfairly left out of a Will or have not received a share you think is adequate, you may be able to contest the Will. When making a Will, people have what is known as “freedom of testation”, which is the freedom to choose to whom...

US singer and entertainer Britney Spears has been in the news recently in regard to the management of her business and personal affairs, which have been in the hands of her father, Jamie Spears and lawyer, Andrew Wallet.  Mr Spears and Mr Wallet had been Britney’s...

In November 2020, Argentinian football icon, Diego Maradona died at the age of 60 leaving behind at least eight children to six different women, a portfolio of properties, image rights and an amphibious tank.  What can we learn though?  Maradona is reported to have...

Only old people need to have a Will. I am too young to write a Will. Both statements are fiction. There is a common misconception that millennials or Gen-Z’s don’t necessarily need a Will because they are still acquiring assets and don’t have that retirement nest-egg...

An Advanced Health Care Directive is an important part of an Estate Plan as it is a document which explains what type of medical care you wish to receive should you be incapable of understanding or making medical decision on your own behalf.  These can also be known...

“You were laughing while you destroyed your, and your sister’s, inheritance. Now, the world is laughing at you for your stupidity”….this is a comment made by County Court Judge Michael Cahill when sentencing two brothers for charges of theft and criminal damage after...

An executor is the person authorised and appointed in a Will to administer an estate in accordance with the terms contained in the Will.  Often they will be referred to as an executor, an executrix or a legal personal representative (also known as “LPR”s). Being an...

The Australian Bureau of Statistics reported that in June 2020 there were 7.2 million families in Australia. Of these 1 million (14.2%) were 'one-parent' families. With over 64% of the one-parent families having children under the age of 18 years, there is a growing...

A blended family is when you enter into a new relationship and you and/or your partner are bringing with you children (whether under the age of 18 or older) from a previous relationship.  Because of these family dynamics, the preparation of a Will and an Estate Plan...

The time when many families are at their least unified and most fractured is often not at the death of a valued family member, but in the division of their estate.  We have recently seen reports of cases where very wealthy individuals attempt to arrange their affairs...

Making a decision about who would look after your children and raise them in the event of your death is not an easy decision to make, but if you have children, updating your Will to provide for this possibility is a must. Why is appointing a guardian sensible? You may...

After the death of a loved one, it is important that you take the time to grieve for your loss. This emotional time can be made more stressful for some as there are legal steps that need to be taken during this difficult time.  Finalising someone’s affairs and...

It is not uncommon these days to hear about parents offering their children a bit of cash to help out during hard times.  However, it may be necessary to think about what potential problems this generous offer may cause in the future. When providing financial...

The idea of estate planning is often sensitive and daunting, which causes a lot of people to put it off for as long as possible. Unfortunately, the reality is that anything could happen to us at any point in time and this could create unnecessary financial mess when...

Cryptocurrency such as Bitcoin has been gaining popularity over several years as a common investment for many people.  It is because of this growing interest in digital currency, there is now a need to provide for it in your Will.  As this form of asset is not your...