Blog
Is land tax to replace stamp duty in NSW?
It is very interesting to hear that the New South Wales State government is considering the abolition of stamp duty. What might this look like and will it actually happen?
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The difference between a loan and a gift to family members
We have seen an increasing interest of late in parents considering providing money to their kids. One of the most common reasons is to help with the purchase of their first home. But is that money a gift? Or is that money a loan that needs to be repaid?
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Electronic Funds Transfer warning - everything is not always as it seems
A recent (2020) New South Wales Supreme Court decision in Deligiannidou v Sundarjee [2020] NSWSC 437 is a cautionary tale for anyone sending money electronically, particularly large sums of money in property transactions.
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What has changed in my 40 years in the law?
After 40 years in the practice of law, our Director Martin Alfonso celebrates his career to date. And an obvious thing is to reflect on that time and think about what has changed, what hasn't and where to next.
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Effect of marriage on your Will and other estate planning documents
Getting married (or divorced for that matter) can have significant impacts upon any Will, Power of Attorney or Appointment of Guardian you already have in place. Likewise, if you didn’t have any of these documents before marriage, now’s the time (before marriage or divorce), to get them done.
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Why can't lawyers just answer with a yes or a no?
A question frequently asked by clients when they present their legal issue is whether they have a good claim. And the common response we give is "yes and no" (and machinations of that like, “it depends”). So why is that the case?
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Am I in a de facto relationship? Defining the meaning of ‘de facto’ and why it’s important in family law
Understanding if your relationship is considered "de facto" in family law matters is important if your relationship ends and you need to divide your assets and/or access spousal maintenance.
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Loans to family members; should I put it in writing?
There are a lot of reasons why you might enter into a loan arrangement with a family member. If the loan arrangement is documented appropriately, then it can be beneficial to all parties. But if you don’t put family loans in writing, there can be dire consequences.
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Commercial rent during COVID-19: how does the freeze on increases work?
The economic consequences of Australia's response to COVID-19, for both owners and occupiers of commercial and retail properties, have been extremely negative. This article addresses a freeze on rental increases during the pandemic.
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NSW 2020 Land Tax concessions for landlords (commercial and residential) during COVID 19
Many landlords are feeling the negative financial impacts of Australia's actions to ward off the most negative consequences of the COVID 19 pandemic. The New South Wales government is providing some relief to landlords by way of Land Tax concessions.
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Making your Will during COVID 19 – it’s easier and safer than you think
There is nothing like a pandemic to focus your attention on those "I must get around to it" jobs! One of those jobs includes writing your Will.
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We have separated amicably, what now? Your guide to family law Consent Orders
Consent Orders are a written agreement between the former spouses that is approved by the Family Court of Australia. They can be made in relation to parenting matters, or financial matters, or both and are legally enforceable.
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