Let’s face it the thought of downsizing can be daunting!  However, for many different reasons it may now be the right decision for you. So here are some tips to help you start your downsizing journey.

Get Financial Advice

Once you have made the decision and discussed with family and friends, as required, it is extremely important to work with your financial advisor to seek the appropriate advice around how downsizing will financially affect you. If you do not have a financial advisor, ask around with family and friends or speak with your legal advisor for a referral.

When a loved one passes away, it is an overwhelming and emotional time in your life. This is particularly the case if it is the first time that you have experienced loss and have no idea of the legal requirements going forward.  Aside from saying your final goodbyes, organising a farewell or a celebration of life, there is the often arduous task of dealing with your loved one’s belongings and assets.

Buying your first home is one of the most exciting and significant moments you can experience in your own life. It’s big! Before you get the keys to your first home there are a few things you need to consider when purchasing your property - let’s face it, buying your property is possibly the biggest financial investment that you will ever make in your life. Here are some tips to get you on your way.

Find a Broker or Banker you can work with, ensure your finances are in order and you know how much you can borrow

This should be your first step even before you start looking at homes and attending open inspections. Spend time finding a banker or broker that you feel comfortable with and is receptive to working with you. It can be tempting to start attending open for inspections before you find a banker or broker however it’s always best to have those initial discussions to ensure your finances are in order and most importantly work out a budget. You don’t want to find your dream home, to find out it’s not within your budget.

We are delighted to announce that we are finalists in the 2023 Australian Law Awards in the Regional/Suburban Law Firm of the year category.

The national awards program is the pinnacle event for recognising talent in the Australian legal industry, so we feel very proud to be listed as a finalist.

Legacy means different things to so many different people. To some it may mean spending their life working hard to create something of significance to them to leave behind.

We all have the opportunity to create an amazing legacy, to make a difference and leave the world a better place. It is up to each of us individually if we wish to do so.

Putting your Estate Plan in place provides an opportunity for you to review your current insurances to check whether they are adequate for your current circumstances. Those of you who have a financial advisor would most likely go through this process on a regular basis as part of their service offering.

During our lifetime many of us rely on the counsel of trusted advisors whether they be accountants, financial advisors, lawyers, stock brokers, business coaches or insurance agents. For some of us, we may formulate a strong relationship with one or more trusted advisor over many years and therefore our advisors may possess intimate knowledge in respect to a specific area of your business and personal matters.

I am a little excited to announce that I am a finalist in the 2022 Australian Law Awards in the Regional/Suburban Lawyer of the year category.

The national awards program is the pinnacle event for recognising talent in the Australian legal industry, so I feel very honoured to be listed as a finalist.

Deposit Releases can be a paramount topic when buying and selling property. Many sellers are of the school of thought that once your house is sold and the deposit is paid by the purchaser into the real estate agent's that the deposit is automatically released to you. Unfortunately it is not that simple.

Creating a “When I die” file can make things easier for your executor and loved ones. If you can leave your affairs in as pristine order as possible your executors and loved ones will be immensely thankful. Here’s a look at what to include and who to tell about your list.

These days it is extremely common to own assets that are not held in Australia, that is, the assets are held overseas, and hence are overseas assets. It has become increasingly common for people to enquire whether they can make provision in their Australian will for assets owned in an international jurisdiction.

Pets have become an integral part of our lives with many more families becoming pet-owners during COVID lockdowns. And in my experience as an estate planning lawyer, clients have even confided that they sometimes like their pets more than their children.

So, like other family members, it’s important to ensure you make provision for them in your will. Let’s take a look at some of the things you should consider.

To ensure your interests are taken care of after you are gone, there are many documents and provisions you need to put in place. Here is a brief business owner’s guide to estate planning.

To most people, their children are their most precious asset.

Deciding who will care for your minor children if you are no longer here is something that a lot of people struggle with when putting their Will in place.

So, let’s help you along and share some tips of what you should consider when appointing a guardian for your children.

Many of us have special sentimental items that we would like to leave to certain people (our very important people, or VIPs) when we are no longer here.

If this is the case for you, it would be expedient for you to document the items that you would like to leave to specific people.

What you will put in your Will is really dependant on your individual and family circumstances at the time you put your Will in place.

Most of us have an up to date Will, but how many of us have thought about who will manage our affairs if we become incapacitated.

The Appointment of Medical Treatment Decision Maker document allows you to appoint someone to make medical decisions on your behalf in the event that you are unable to do so.

It’s always exciting the purchase property, especially if you have found your dream home.

However it is equally as important to be logical in such times and ensure that you undertake your due diligence as for most people purchasing a home is the biggest investment of their life and we don’t want to get it wrong, there is nothing fun about ending up with a lemon that ends up costing you much more than the sale price.

Given that most deaths are unexpected, it is normal for an executor to be overwhelmed in respect to what to do and where to start, particularly if you have lost a close loved one.