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...
Adoption is the process by which the parental responsibility for a child is legally transferred to someone who is not the biological parent of that child. In Australia, there only a small number of children each year who need a family, outnumbering the quantity of...
Family Law Appeals in Australia are an essential process for those seeking to challenge a court decision in family law cases. Essentially, an appeal is your opportunity to ask a higher court to review and change a decision made by a judge. But, it's important to...
Although difficult to quantify, studies have predicted around 20% of couples are affected by sexual infidelity. Individuals burned by their spouse’s infidelity often seek retribution during divorce and property settlement proceedings. It is important to note that a...
How Parenting Orders Imposed by the Court may Affect Mental Health According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, around 43% of Australians aged 16-85 years old have experienced a mental disorder at some point in their lives. Legal disputes generally can be...
Defining Legal Independence for Minors Emancipation is the process by which a person under 18 years of age can seek independence from their parents. It is important to note that the legal concept of emancipation is more commonly used in the American legal system...
It is no secret that Australia currently has an aging population with the median age of the population currently sitting at 38 years of age, 3 years older than the previous median recorded in 2000. Elder law is the area of the law relating to all aspects of aging and...
Most people are aware that the Council have powers to seize a pet dog after certain incidents have occurred, but how far do these powers extend? When can a Council officer seize your dog, and when and how can you get them back? For most dog owners, the thought of...
Families dealing with separation, divorce, parenting and property settlements across international borders are faced with exceptional challenges. Dealing with family law matters within Australia can be challenging enough, but with the added complexity of international...
There are many legal elements related to being a father in Australia, such as parenting time and responsibility, custody and paternity disputes. Although under review, the current legislation, the Family Law Act 1975 (“FLA”) includes a presumption that each parent has...