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The Process of Obtaining Probate
Probate is a grant made by the Supreme Court of New South Wales that ‘proves’ the validity of a Will of a deceased person. This is the official process that enables the executor named in the Will to deal with the deceased’s estate. As the legal personal representative...
Options to renew in commercial leases – don’t get caught out!
An option clause is a term in a commercial lease that allows a tenant to renew their lease at the end of the original lease period, if they meet certain conditions. Landlords are not obliged to offer a renewal option. However, it is often in the interests of both...
NSW residents and International Wills
Since giving effect to the Hague Convention on International Wills in the NSW Succession Act 2006, NSW residents with assets in a foreign country, such as the UK, have had the advantage of being able to make a will in NSW that can be administered in the UK. To comply...
Transferring Property Between Family Members – Key Considerations
Transferring property between family members is a common practice, often driven by a desire to facilitate inheritance, support loved ones, or streamline estate planning. While the intention behind such transfers is usually rooted in familial bonds, navigating the...
First Home Buyer Assistance (NSW)
Buyers in New South Wales (NSW) often struggle to purchase their first homes, hardly surprising given that the average property price in the state is now over a million dollars. To help first home buyers into the property market, the NSW Government has offered various...
7 Top Questions about Family Provision Claims in NSW
When someone passes away, questions about inheritance naturally arise. In cases where someone has not been adequately provided for following the death of a loved one, Family Provision Claims exist to help make the situation fairer. This article discusses some of the...
Moving in together? Are we now in a de facto relationship?
Just because a couple is living together it does not automatically mean they are in a de facto relationship. There are many different factors in determining whether two people are living in a de facto relationship, such as whether they share bank accounts, are in a...
The importance of estate planning before capacity becomes an issue
We should all plan for our future. Certainly, we should all have a current will, especially those of us who need to make special arrangements for the care of children or pets. Many of us would also benefit from making a formal arrangement to account for a time when we...
First steps after separation – some practical considerations
The breakdown of a relationship, whether by choice or circumstance, can be complex and challenging. In Australia, the Family Law Act 1975 sets out the legal framework for divorce, the division of property and parenting arrangements after a relationship breaks down. An...
Helping Your Kids Step into the Property Market
Buying a first home has always been a financial challenge, but housing affordability in Australia has declined so much in recent decades that younger generations are struggling to gain entry to the property market at all. As a result, more parents wish to take...