News
No more paper title deeds – what you need to know about e-conveyancing
Settlements used to require lawyers and banks to meet up to check and swap documents and bank cheques. The documents had to then be lodged with the Land Registry Office and government authorities had to be notified about the transaction. The recently introduced...
Buying a business – some handy hints!
So you have found a business and you have your heart set on buying it. Or maybe you work for a business that looks like it is being sold. Congratulations that’s great news! However, before you rush off to hand over the purchase price or greet the new owner of the...
Death and superannuation benefits
It is important to understand the interplay of the laws governing superannuation, tax and succession when planning your estate. Appreciating how these laws interact can help avoid some common pitfalls in estate planning and may have a significant impact on the net...
Things to Consider When Buying a Unit
Buying a unit or townhouse is different to buying a house, as you not only buy the property you also enter a relationship with the other owners in the complex and become involved with a body corporate or owner’s corporation. There are also special by-laws to abide by...
The risks in referring to unattached documents in an agreement
It is not unheard of for parties to an agreement to refer, in the agreement itself, to additional documents. These additional documents are sometimes, although regrettably, not always annexed or attached to the actual agreement. In adopting this course of action the...
Secret relationships and not having a Will
Disputes over a deceased’s estate are complex, emotionally draining and risk depleting assets that would otherwise be available for distribution to beneficiaries. That is why having a valid Will and a Binding Death Benefit Nomination (BDBN) makes good sense. A Will...
Buying and selling property under an option agreement
Buying and selling real estate via an ‘option deed’ has gained popularity over the past, particularly in a growing property development market. Option deeds may be used for the acquisition of a site for future development and can be drafted to accommodate various...
When are you entitled to motor accident compensation?
If you are injured as a result of a motor accident you may be entitled to compensation. The Motor Accidents Injuries Act 2017 (NSW) establishes a no-fault compensation scheme. Injured road users may receive statutory benefits however these benefits will vary depending...
The Process of Obtaining Probate
Probate is a grant made by the Supreme Court of New South Wales that ‘proves’ the Will of a deceased person and vests title to the estate’s assets in the named executor/s. This is the official process that enables the executor to legally deal with the deceased’s...
Awarding Costs in Litigation
Litigation can be both a time consuming and costly exercise. In some legal disputes, you might end up being liable for not only your own legal costs but also the costs of the opposing party. As such, it is important to understand the possible cost consequences of...