News
Deceased Estates – What Happens When Executors Don’t Agree
When someone dies, their assets are usually distributed according to their will. The person responsible for managing and distributing these assets is the “executor” of the deceased estate. In some cases, a will appoints more than one person to act as executor, and...
Employee surveillance – is it legal? (NSW)
In New South Wales (NSW), the law allows employers to monitor their employees, both overtly and covertly. However, employers do not have an unlimited right to spy on their employees. With the rise of work from home, employers should also be aware of the legalities of...
Granny Flat Interests – a Guide for Grannies and Homeowners
Traditionally, a “granny flat” is a small, secondary dwelling located on the same property lot as a primary residence. These homes were often used to allow an older person to live close to their family while maintaining some independence. Of course, a granny flat is...
Common misconceptions about estate planning
An estate plan involves more than signing a Will and leaving it in a safe place. An effective estate plan requires consideration of several matters and ongoing review to ensure it reflects your testamentary wishes and covers unexpected events. In this article, we look...
Just sign here… ‘silent’ directors beware
If you have been asked to accept a position as a director of a company in which you have little or no involvement, think again. All too often spouses are appointed as a co-director of their partner’s company without understanding their full responsibilities as a...
Buying Property with Someone Else – Considerations for Property Co-owners
Buying a property with someone else is a great way to share the fun, stress, and cost of the venture. Often people buy a house with their significant other, to make a home or invest together. Others buy property with friends, relatives or business partners. Joining...
Managing confidential employee records – duties as an employer
As an employer, you should be aware that you owe your employees obligations in relation to any personal information they have disclosed to you. Information about an employee collected by an employer is considered personal information under the Privacy Act 1988...
What happens when a contract is breached?
Contracts are a common tool used throughout our lives to create legal relationships between parties to define what actions people will take. If you have entered a contract with another party, you are obligated to abide by the terms and conditions of the contract. Any...
Succession Planning for Business Owners
As a business owner, you deal with many responsibilities, including having to decide what to do with your business when you move on. Sometimes the logical endgame for a business is to be wound up, but in most cases, the aim is a smooth transition to new ownership....
Conveyancing then and now
Conveyancing has seen a change from “chain of title” for deeds of conveyance (Old System Land) to what we call “Torrens Title” under the Real Property Act. Servicing clients on both sides of the Albury-Wodonga Border has been the mainstay of this practice which...