Important Updates
Wills, Estates and Probate
Do you have a Mortgage? Do you have a Will?
5 Beliefs that can be very costly to your Estate
Gardening & The Law: They Have More In Common Than You Think
‘Cleaning up’ Your Affairs- Power of Attorney and Wills
Prenups – “but I’m not rich or famous, so why bother”?
Approximately half of all Australians don’t have one – a Will
International assets and estate planning
Conditional gifts from your estate
Interesting facts about your Will
Do you know that you have digital assets?
Q. How much should I spend on my Will? A. Depends on what you want
The law of survivorship – why is it important when buying a house?
I should have received something in the Will
What you need to know when choosing an executor
Alert to Married Same Sex Couples – Is Your Will Still Valid?
Have You Considered The Importance of Estate Planning When Purchasing Real Estate?
Executor or executioner? Is my Will valid?
Hey help me out and I’ll look after you in my Will!
What you need to know about Marriage, Divorce and your Will
What if you want to leave someone out of your Will?
What happens in the event of simultaneous deaths
Family Law
Our property pool is only small but we can’t agree on division
Intervention Order – Is that it or can I change it?
Who gets to stay in the house once the relationship is over?
Is separation just a 50/50 split?
‘Pre-Nups’ or Binding Financial Agreements: Out of favour for property settlement?
Separated & Living Under The Same Roof
“That’s it – I’m taking the kids and moving interstate”
Joint Bank Accounts and Separation
Avenues for victims of institutionalised child abuse
Parenting arrangements may be affected by the Coronavirus
Part 2: Involved in a Family Law dispute? How to save money
Part 1: Involved in a Family Law dispute? How to save money
Legal rights for de facto relationships
The relationship is over, what about my inheritance?
X-Lotto Winnings – will I be able to keep them
International Pre-Nuptial Agreements
Family loans – should they be documented?
Grandparents v biological parents
The honeymoon is over and so is the marriage – now what?
Planning to say ‘I Do’? Better read this then!
Blended Families – have you planned what will happen to your assets when you die?
He/She left me for another woman/man
4 things you can do to protect your assets in a family law dispute
Elder Abuse – how can I prevent it?
Social media – think before you ‘post’
Struggling with co-parenting? There’s an App for that!
Lending money to your child? Did you know…
I hope the kids don’t find out!
Can I be liable for my partner’s tax debts? Part 1
Can I be liable for my partner’s tax debts? Part 2
My Health Records posing risk to vulnerable children
I don’t want my ex to know anything about my finances
Can I use recordings in family law cases?
Property Settlement – All you need to know
How domestic violence is dealt with in Family Court
How is Cryptocurrency dealt with in separation? Here’s what you need to know.
Who gets to keep the pet after separation?
We finally agreed on child support – now our circumstances have changed. Do I still have to pay?
I want to take my child on a holiday – guide for parents who are separated
Migration and Citizenship Law
DIY Visa Applications – What could go wrong?
Data sharing between the ATO & DOHA
Business Innovation and Investment (subclass 188) visa: Travel restriction relief
Migration Update September 2020 – New Priority Migration Skilled Occupation List (PMSOL)
How long will my visa application take to be processed in 2020?
Latest Migration Updates for Australia | COVID 19
Partner Visa Sponsorship Obligations
Health Requirements and your Visa
Can we apply for a Partner Visa?
Relationship Requirements for Partner Visas
Visa 489 Replaced by New Skilled-Regional 491 Visa
Student Guardian visa (subclass 590)
Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme visa (subclass 187)
Working Holiday visa (subclass 417)
The good character requirement – what does it mean?
Why should I use an Immigration Lawyer opposed to a Migration Agent?
Would you like a free migration plan? Come join us for an Immichat.
Why migrate to South Australia
What is an Australian Study Requirement?
Foreign Skilled Labour in response to Construction Industry Staffing Shortage
Immigration SA announces they are re-opening selected State Nomination visas
My relationship is on the rocks and I’m on a Partner visa, what now?
Why is Estate Planning important to Migration?
Recent changes to Skilled Migration Visas, what you need to know…
Overstaying your visa? What this means for you.
Family violence whilst on your Visa – what are your options?
Changes to Australian Partner Visas – what you need to know
All you need to know about the new Entrepreneur Visa
New Changes to Migration Program, what you should know !
Does HIV/AIDS stop you from entering Australia?
Changes to Australian Partner Visas coming in effect 17 April 2019
Skilled Migration: New Occupations Added
Taxation
Taxed for a hobby or running a business – where do you cross the line?
Residency for tax purposes? Not as simple as it sounds…
The Ostrich Principle Part Two or, So the Tax Office has prosecuted you
Unpaid tax: even the professionals aren’t immune
ATO Audits: Acts of God or can they be avoided?
Can I be liable for my partner’s tax debts? Part 1
Can I be liable for my partner’s tax debts? Part 2
Garnishee notices: Is the ATO really out to get small businesses?
The ‘gig economy’: Are your tax obligations staying up to date?
Business and Commercial Law
Can bosses be penalised for accidentally underpaying employees?
Employers beware – don’t get stuck with a $400,000 order!
“I’m not a director therefore I’m not liable” – Are you sure about that?
Debt relief for struggling businesses in 2020: Not a magic bullet
I Think I Was Treated Unfairly By The Bank!
‘Cleaning up’ Your Affairs- Gifting, Relaxing Debts, Leases and Trusts
Make sure your contracts are watertight
Morrison government planning to ban cash: What does this mean for you?
Emails can lead to a binding lease agreement
Director liability for company’s non-compliance – employee obligations
Fair Entitlements Guarantee Recovery Programme
PPSR Update: Leases and Bailments
Mark your territory! What you need to know about trademarking
Conscientious Objection to Same Sex Marriage? Read on …
5 Top Tips for Your New Business Venture or Start-up
Understanding Personal Guarantees
Changes to unfair contract terms
What You Need to Know About Dispute Resolution and Litigation
New European Data Protection Regulations and how they may affect you
What does it mean to appoint a corporate trustee in a family trust?
Servcorp and Unfair Contract Terms
A windfall for Start-Ups and Entrepreneurs: new developments in Crowdfunding
Directors Penalty Notices – unforeseen personal liability
Ipso Facto Clauses: What you should be aware of before entering into a contract
My business is run under a company structure. Am I protected from a personal attack?
Employment Law
Your Employer can stand you down on JobKeeper
Workplace Health & Safety Update
Employer’s obligations to interns
Your rights and obligations as an overseas worker
Do you need a social media policy in your workplace?
Employing foreign workers – are you at risk?
End of Year Work Parties It’s all fun until someone loses an eye!
Employees now entitled to leave for family and domestic violence
Property Law and Conveyancing
Changes to Land Tax in South Australia: Things all property owners SHOULD be aware of!
Crackdown on foreign investors
What you need to know before signing a Contract to purchase a property
Exemptions from Stamp Duty – transfers between spouses or former spouses
To trust or not to trust? The benefits of using trusts for property ownership
State Government Surcharge on Foreign Purchasers – no longer a foreign concept
What is the Verification of Authority requirement?
Do I have a caveatable interest?
What does the new GST Withholding regime mean for residential Purchasers and Developers?
Co–ownership Agreements – Do I need one?
Building and Construction Contracts – What you should look out for!

Mum and Dad gave me money towards my new home – how can I protect it from a future relationship breakdown?
So you are one of those lucky people who have received assistance from your parents to purchase your home, whether that be all or only a portion of the funds for the purchase.

DIY Visa Applications – What could go wrong?
The consequences of a failed DIY visa application can be very serious and life-changing. In some cases, you may get to start over and reapply for the visa. In most cases, you don’t get to re-apply, may face up to a 3 year re-entry ban, or even worse, a failed visa application could cost you your opportunity to make Australia your home with your loved ones.

Data sharing between the ATO & DOHA
On 3 November 2020, the Commonwealth of Australia issued a Government notice stating that the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) will acquire visa data from the Department of Home Affairs (DOHA) for the financial years ending 30 June 2021 to 2023. This announcement will affect all visa holders, applicants and sponsors for all visas in Australia.

Can bosses be penalised for accidentally underpaying employees?
The number one topic that employers have trouble with, according to Employsure Australia, is their obligations relating to wages. Modelling released in 2019 by consulting firm PwC estimated that up to 13% of Australian workers are affected by underpayments or wage theft each year, totalling approximately $1.35 billion.

“Our property pool is only small but we can’t agree on division!”
The Federal Circuit Court of Australia has recently introduced in family law disputes the Priority Property Pool Regime which deals with matters valued at under $500,000 (‘PPP500 regime’). In order to qualify for the PPP500 regime, you need to meet the following criteria:

Business Innovation and Investment (subclass 188) visa: Travel restriction relief
On 9 September 2020, the Department of Home Affairs’s COVID mini-site was updated to allow the holder of a Business Innovation and Investment (subclass 188) visa to be automatically exempt from travel restrictions and can enter Australia, without obtaining an individual exemption.

Intervention Order – Is that it or can I change it?
So someone had successfully convinced the Court to make an Intervention Order (‘IVO’) against you. Whilst the IVO is in place, you are bound to comply with the terms and conditions of the IVO and, if you breach those terms or conditions you are likely to receive a punishment which may include imprisonment.
I am commonly asked if you can appeal an IVO or have the conditions of an IVO changed. The short answer is ‘yes you can’. You cannot, however, appeal an Interim Intervention Order.

Migration Update September 2020 – New Priority Migration Skilled Occupation List (PMSOL)
On 2 September 2020, Acting Minister for Immigration Alan Tudge and the Minister for Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business Michaelia Cash jointly announced a new Priority Migration Skilled Occupation List (PMSOL) for 17 occupations that will be able to enter Australia to assist in the country’s COVID recovery. These occupations are in health care, construction and IT sectors that will help with Australia’s health and economic response to COVID-19.

Who gets to stay in the house once the relationship is over?
Where possible, we generally recommend, upon separation, that one of the parties to a failed relationship secure alternate accommodation. Of course, it is not always practical for one or both parties to a failed relationship to rent or purchase a new home.
How should you determine who gets to stay in the house?

Is separation just a 50/50 split?
Many Australians assume, after divorce or separation upon break down of a long relationship, the assets of the marriage (or separation) are simply split down the middle – half to one and half to the other. While this may have been the case a long time ago, in most instances a straight 50-50 split may result in an outcome that is unfair to one of the parties.

How long will my visa application take to be processed in 2020?
Many potential visa applicants balk at two aspects of the Australian visa application process – the cost and the waiting times. Unfortunately, like death and taxes, both are, in almost every case, unavoidable.
The waiting times are estimated by the Department for Home Affairs and are updated regularly depending on a huge variety of factors, which includes the volume of applications, the complexity of cases, and the ease with which the Department can retrieve any additional required information.

‘Pre-Nups’ or Binding Financial Agreements: Out of favour for property settlement?
A Binding Financial Agreement (BFA) is the Australia term for the type of agreement frequently known as a ‘pre-nup’ or pre-nuptial agreement. Parties who wish to make plans for their division of property at the end of a relationship may look to make a BFA at the start of the relationship. However, there are several reasons why this decision may not be suitable.

5 beliefs that can be very costly to your Estate
You are probably aware that a properly drawn Will is designed to deal with your assets once you have passed away. Most Wills appear to be fairly straightforward, however, many Wills and what happens after you pass is commonly misunderstood.

Separated & living under the same roof
Being separated from a former partner but still living within the same household is not uncommon, especially in times of economic hardship, or in situations where one party to the relationship may have a lower earning capacity, less savings, a disability or some other factor which might hinder their ability to move out or otherwise find independent living arrangements.

Do you have a Mortgage? Do you have a Will?
A recent study surveyed 1,000 Australian mortgagors and found that nearly half (48%) of those surveyed do not have a Will. 18 to 40 year olds said they were motivated to get a Will after buying property whilst older respondents created a Will after having children, getting married or entering into a de facto relationship. Notably 31% of mortgagors under 30 years of age do have a Will.