Blog
Who gets the family pets after separation or divorce?
As time goes on, we are seeing our pets more and more as an integral part of the family. Whilst we may see our pets like our children, the Family Court of Australia does not see it that way.
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NSW paper Certificates of Titles to be abolished
In May 2021, the NSW Parliament passed a Bill allowing for the cancellation of paper Certificates of Title. What does this mean for your Certificate of Title?
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Pre-action procedures before filing in Family Law Courts
Before initiating Court proceedings in the Family and Federal Circuit Court of Australia, parties should comply with all pre-action procedures unless they are exempt.
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What is a life estate or life interest in a Will?
A life estate is a term used to describe a type of “ownership” or use of property (or other assets) for the duration of a person’s life. It is commonly referred to as a life interest.
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At what point of my NSW property transaction will stamp duty be payable?
Stamp duty (now called transfer duty in NSW) is a tax imposed by the NSW Government upon the transfer of the title to the property from a Vendor to a Purchaser. In this blog, we look at when NSW stamp duty is payable on property transactions for both commercial and residential properties.
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What is a shareholders agreement and should my company have one?
A shareholders agreement is a company document which sets out what shareholders can and cannot do, together with the rights and obligations of the role of shareholder.
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Urgent family law matters during COVID – the Family Courts have a dedicated list
If you are experiencing an urgent family law matter as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Family Court and Federal Circuit Court of Australia have a dedicated court list to triage COVID-19 related family law issues which are of an urgent or priority nature.
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Stamp duty exemptions when transferring property to include a partner or spouse
If you own property in NSW in only your name, it may be possible to add your spouse or partner to the title of the property without incurring stamp duty. This blog is intended to explore some of the important considerations before you proceed further with adding your partner to the title.
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Property settlement out of time granted after 10 years of separation
The recent case of Vince (No 2) [2021] in February 2021 highlights the requirement for parties to financially sever their relationship within the required timeframes and deal with their property settlement.
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What is a 'no contest' clause in a Will and is there a better option?
We are frequently asked to include a 'no contest' clause in Wills. The client’s aim is to avoid a challenge being made against the Will or their estate after their passing. However, a 'no contest' clause is unlikely to be the best protection against someone contesting a Will in NSW.
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The risks of rushing to unconditional exchange of contracts
When purchasing a property by negotiation there can often be an urgency to exchange contracts quickly in order to secure the property at the price agreed and to lock out any other potential purchasers. This can be fraught with risks for the purchaser.
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Appointment of an Enduring Guardian
An Enduring Guardian is someone of your choice whom you appoint to make decisions on your behalf concerning your health and wellbeing when you become incapable of, or not in a position to do so yourself.
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