World Elder Abuse Awareness Day: How You Can Help
16th June, 2025 Every year on 15 June, Australians mark World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD). This day raises awareness about elder abuse and urges communities to stand against mistreatment of older people. Elder abuse includes financial, physical, psychological abuse, and neglect. Sadly, many cases remain hidden and unreported. Raising awareness is crucial because […]
Testamentary Capacity: Lessons from Banks v Goodfellow
2nd June, 2025 In New South Wales, making a valid Will requires more than signing a piece of paper. One of the most important requirements is testamentary capacity. This means the person making the Will -the testator -must be mentally capable of understanding what they are doing. If they lack capacity, the Will may be challenged […]
A Step-by-Step Guide to Making a Will
17th March, 2025 Creating a Will is crucial to ensure your wishes are honoured after you pass away. While you can write a Will yourself, consulting a lawyer ensures it’s legally valid and reflects your intentions accurately. Creating a Will can be an overwhelming process so below is a simple step-by-step guide to help you […]
Funeral and Burial Provisions in Wills
10th March, 2025 When planning for the future, many people focus on their assets, but it’s equally important to consider funeral and burial arrangements. You may want to include specific instructions in your Will about how you’d like your remains to be handled. However, it’s essential to understand how funeral provisions in a Will are […]
Understanding Moral Clauses in Wills in NSW
3rd March, 2025 When creating a Will, most people want to ensure that their assets are distributed according to their wishes. However, in some cases, individuals may contest the Will after the Will-maker’s death, based on moral grounds. This often involves a claim that the deceased had a moral obligation to provide for certain beneficiaries, […]
Understanding No-Contest Clauses in Australia
24th February, 2025 Estate planning is essential for ensuring that your wishes are respected after your death. One common feature that some people include in their Wills is a no-contest clause. However, it’s important to understand the implications of such clauses in Australia, and whether they are enforceable or effective. What is a No-Contest […]
What Makes a Will Valid?
3rd February, 2025 Creating a valid Will ensures that your wishes are respected after your passing. While the requirements are similar across Australia, there are a few key elements that must be followed to ensure your Will holds legal weight. It Must Be in Writing A valid Will must be in writing, either typed […]
Farm Succession and Estate Planning
28th January, 2025 Farm succession planning is a complex process that involves far more than just transferring land or assets. A farm isn’t just a piece of property—it’s a business and a family legacy. Along with the land, you must consider expensive machinery, livestock, and infrastructure. But perhaps the trickiest aspect is dealing with family […]
Can a Sibling be my Super Beneficiary?
16th January, 2025 When planning your superannuation, it’s important to understand who can legally receive your super benefits when you pass away. While you may wish to leave your super to anyone, such as a sibling, the law surrounding superannuation death benefits is quite specific. Importantly, a sibling cannot automatically be a super beneficiary unless […]
Lapsing and Non-Lapsing Binding Death Benefit Nominations
16th December, 2024 When managing your superannuation, choosing between a lapsing or non-lapsing binding death benefit nomination is crucial for ensuring your beneficiaries are looked after. But what do these terms mean, and how can a law firm specialising in estate planning assist? What is a Binding Death Benefit Nomination? A binding death […]