If you are appointed as the executor of an estate, you have a number of duties cast upon you. They include: maximising the size of the estate for the beneficiaries; and preparing any necessary tax return or obtaining Income Tax Clearances. Estate administration...Read More
The preparation of your estate plan involves a number of matters, especially the payment of your superannuation death benefit. From 1 July 2017 a “Transfer Balance Cap” was introduced. In broad terms, the effect of the Cap is to limit the total amount of...Read More
I often write about the importance of having a valid Will. You might have been as surprised as I was to learn that Aretha Franklin, “the Queen of Soul”, died without a formal Will. By not making a formal Will, the famous singer sparked more than four years of bitter...Read More
I have written previously about the pitfalls of home-made Wills. Although it may sound like I’m trying to drum up business in recommending your Will be prepared by a solicitor, there is some support from Master Sanderson in a recent Supreme Court of Western Australia...Read More
You may know of this famous and controversial line from the character “Dick the Butcher” in William Shakespeare’s Henry VI. Some recent “developments” in technology have had me thinking whether Dick’s wish that society be free of lawyers might come true! The...Read More
Divorce, ending a de facto relationship or ending a civil partnership can be emotionally difficult but have you ever thought what happens to your Will if these events occur? Under the Succession Act 1981 (Qld), if any of the above events occur, your Will is revoked to...Read More
The Australian Government has announced that it intends to expand the eligibility criteria of the Home Guarantee scheme. The scheme was initially introduced to support the affordability of first home ownership by allowing a prospective homeowner to have a 5% deposit...Read More
Major changes are coming relating to the sale of property in Queensland. One significant change is that the old principle of “Buyer Beware” will largely no longer apply. There will soon be obligations on a Seller to make comprehensive disclosure to a Buyer of matters...Read More
Many clients who we assist with their estate planning have involvement in a Trust. When the Trust is established, it comes with a ‘rule book’ known as the Trust Deed. The rule book sets out important matters such as the Trustee, the Beneficiaries, distribution of...Read More
All residential properties being sold in Queensland need to have compliant smoke alarms installed by settlement. The compliance standard is contained in regulations. Smoke alarms must be interconnected, in every bedroom and hallway in the property. Failure to install...Read More
