PENNY is talking to her neighbour, Wendy on the nature strip in front of their properties. A dispute arises between them when Wendy claims that the nature strip is her property and Penny is not allowed to do any gardening…
FRANK and Betty have been in a de facto relationship for 20 years. Frank has three children as a result of a previous relationship. Frank seeks legal advice regarding his estate planning and in particular, how he can make a…
THIS column takes a break from the usual “Hypothetical” formula to address the important issue of elder abuse. Elder abuse is an action or lack of action by someone in a relationship of trust that causes harm to an older…
BETTY makes a will, leaving her whole estate to her daughter. She decides not to include her son, Barry. When Betty passes-away, her estate is valued at around $400,000, consisting primarily of her principal place of residence, in which her…
CHRISTINE has a relatively small budget, but as a first home buyer, she is looking to enter the real estate market. She finds a unit for sale in a strata scheme and negotiates a purchase price with the real estate…
HARRY meets Mary online and they are soon engaged. When Mary comes to Australia, Harry asks her to sign a pre-nuptial agreement. The effect of the agreement is that if their relationship ended, Mary would receive nothing. Mary receives independent…
PETER and Sally are engaged to be married. Sally moves into Peter’s home and contributes towards renovations to the property. They decide to purchase an investment property and the property is registered in joint names. There is no written agreement…
NATALIE purchased a vehicle, sight unseen from a dealership in Sydney, trusting the dealership’s word that the car is in “immaculate condition,” and “there is nothing wrong with it”. When the car turned up, Natalie was so excited and thought…
WENDY makes a new will with the assistance of a solicitor. The “simple” will leaves the whole of her estate to six of her favourite nieces and nephews. The will is properly executed in the presence of two independent witnesses.…
JOHN owns his Smith Street home outright. He has two children from a previous relationship and has since been in a long-term de facto relationship with Joan. John talks to his solicitor about his estate planning. When John passes away,…