There are many legal strategies that can help to protect your child’s inheritance, some of which you can implement yourself, and others that you can recommend your child implement. It is especially important to consider risks to inheritances in blended families....
Property settlements can be stressful at the best of times however, where family violence has occurred during the relationship, dividing property can be exceptionally distressing. In Australia, domestic violence does affect property settlement in certain...
When it comes to the division of assets during a divorce, superannuation is often an overlooked resource. However, superannuation is considered property and forms a crucial part of the asset pool in property settlements. In some cases, superannuation may constitute a...
Life is ever-changing, and with it, so too should your Will and estate plans. For high-net-worth individuals, the stakes are even higher, as the complexity of assets and financial situations can significantly impact the effectiveness of an outdated Will. Regularly...
“My former spouse and I have decided how we will divide our assets. Do we really need to see lawyers and have a formal agreement in place if we can agree on the property division ourselves?” This question is frequently asked by individuals at the early stages of...
Generally, high net worth households are those which have an annual income exceeding $300,000 or a net worth over $5 million. Equitably dividing the assets that make up a matrimonial asset pool of such magnitude can be complicated and can take a long time. The...
Grey divorce refers to a type of divorce where the couple ending their marriage are aged over 50. Although the divorce rate in Australia has declined, there has been an increase in divorce amongst the older generations. Psychologists have identified 3 common turning...
With almost 70% of households now owning a pet, relationship breakdowns often come with the added complication of navigating pet custody in divorce. There are currently no provisions in the Family Law Act 1975 (Cth) that specifically deal with pets. Pets are treated...
Probate refers to process by which an Executor named in a Will is given the legal right to deal with the assets and liabilities in the estate of a deceased person. A grant of Representation is the umbrella term referring to either Probate or letters of administration....
A do-it-yourself or “DIY” Will kit might seem like a cost-effective way to ensure your assets will be divided and distributed according to your wishes when you pass away. Unfortunately, the DIY Will can have disastrous consequences and can cost more in the long run,...
What are Mutual Wills? Mutual Wills are Wills made by spouses together with an agreement that neither party can revoke or amend their Will after the other party’s death. Mutual Wills are legally binding and if one spouse changes their Will after the other spouse dies,...
Surrogacy refers to the arrangement in which a surrogate agrees to carry and give birth to a child for another person or couple. Surrogacy is commonly sought by couples that cannot carry their own child. Yearly, there are approximately 100 surrogacy births occurring...