Will Contests and Estate Disputes Explained
In Australia, there are legal avenues available to individuals who wish to contest a will or challenge the distribution of an estate. Although regrettable, such disputes are often unavoidable and sometimes essential to ensure fair outcomes. Understanding these legal...
Coercive Control Offences in New South Wales
Recent research found that 99% of intimate partner homicides in New South Wales that occurred between 2008 and 2016 were preceded by evidence of “coercive control” within the relationship. In 2022, the NSW parliament introduced a law to criminalise coercive control in...
The importance of character references in a Court case
If you know someone who is being sentenced in Court and they ask you for a character reference do you know what to do? The purpose of a character reference for a person who has pleaded guilty to a criminal or traffic matter is to bring to the Court’s attention details...
What you need to know about AVOs
An Apprehended Violence Order (AVO) is an order made by a court against somebody in circumstances where a person in need of protection can show that he or she has reasonable grounds to fear that somebody may engage in personal violence or intimidating or stalking...
Drink Driving and the Alcohol Interlock Program NSW
In New South Wales, driving after consuming alcohol is regulated by the Road Transport Act 2013 and the Road Transport (Alcohol and Drugs) Act 1977. These acts set out the legal framework for drink driving offences, prescribed blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limits,...
What a Will Kit doesn’t do
There are various ‘Will Kits’ available on-line – most are cheap or ‘free’ and all you need to do is download them and fill in the blanks. Many websites boast that you can prepare your Will ‘without spending hundreds of dollars on legal fees’. Simple, right? Not...
Have you been left out of a Will?
The loss of a family member is always a difficult time, but it can become more distressing to learn that you have not been included in the family member’s Will. Generally, a person may leave their assets to whomever they wish. However, the law recognises that there...
Facing Criminal Charges? What To Expect When Attending Court
Attending court for criminal charges can be a daunting experience. However, understanding what to expect can make the experience less difficult and intimidating. Types of Courts in Australia If you are facing criminal charges, you will receive a Court Attendance...
The dos and don’ts of workers compensation claims
It is important to know the “Dos and don’ts” of trying to claim compensation for workplace injuries. People tend to believe claiming compensation for workplace injuries is an easy process, however there are stringent time restrictions you have to comply with when...
FAQ on Estate Planning
While many people are unlikely to nominate estate planning aka “Thinking about what will happen to my assets when I die” as being on their “most wanted things to do” list in reality, this is something that should be on all our “must do” lists. Proactively planning for...