Insights
Working out what to do when your relationship has broken down
The breakdown of a relationship can be one of the most difficult times in a person’s life. Few (if anyone) enter into a relationship with the intention that it will end. It is often a period filled with significant changes, challenges and many...
Is a Casual Employee Really Casual?
Employment law in Australia has been the subject of numerous changes as part of the Federal Government’s “Closing Loopholes” reform. The most recent changes target casual employment and casual conversion. Finian McGrath, a senior associate lawyer at Miller...
What Does a Successful Family Law Property Settlement Look Like?
A successful family law property settlement is one that allows you to move on financially with your life after separation and divorce. How that looks for you depends on your financial circumstances, the property pool being divided and your future plans. Family...
When is a Good Time to Prepare or Update Your Will?
Preparing or updating your will is a crucial step in ensuring your wishes are carried out after you're gone. While it's recommended to review your will every 3-5 years, certain life events may necessitate more frequent updates. Here are some key times when you should...
Why Changing Risk Clauses in Property Contracts Is Risky
The standard REIQ contracts for the sale of properties in Queensland provide for risk to pass to the buyer at 5.00 pm on the next business day after the contract date. This means that if anything happens to the property after that date (such as damage or...
Property Costs to Expect When Buying in Queensland
Finding a property that is right for you can often be a difficult task, whether you’re looking for a home, an investment property, or buying land for future development. As a prospective property owner, it is crucial to consider the various costs associated with the...
Domestic Violence Allegations: What If They Didn’t Happen?
In most cases, where a party alleges domestic violence and seeks a protection order each party will have to pay their own legal fees. But what if an application is brought with no basis? Well, as the Domestic Violence and Family Violence Protection Act 2012 (Qld)...
Protecting Vulnerable Children and Families
The Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (“FCFCOA”) have created a fast-tracked process to provide appropriate arrangements for children when no parent is available as a result of death, critical injury, or incarceration...
Loan or Gift? Parental Contributions and Property Division
It is common for parents to continue to support their children financially, even when they become adults with partners and children of their own. Parents may help their children by providing money to assist with the purchase of a house, payment of a loan or for many...
.au Domain Name extension; truncations and changes
As of 24 March 2022, a new domain name extension for Australian Websites came into effect. The au Domain Administrator (“auDA”) has announced that registration for the new .au extension commenced on 24 March 2022. What is the new extension? The new .au extension...
Domestic Violence and Parenting: Legal Insights
It is important that children grow up in a safe environment where they feel secure, loved and protected. If you are a parent who is a victim of domestic violence and you have a child who has been exposed to domestic violence, you...
Business Succession: Explore Your Options
As a business owner, you may think, what happens if my business partner dies or is permanently injured and is no longer able to work with me? While these are morbid thoughts, the answers may surprise you. In the case of your...
Are your super and life insurance beneficiary nominations up to date?
As it approaches the end of the year, now is a good time to ensure that your superannuation and life insurance beneficiary nominations are in place and up to date. What a lot of people don’t realise is that your superannuation and life insurance do not typically...
What Is Probate and Why Do You Need It?
When you are appointed as an executor of an estate in most cases one of the first decisions you will be confronted with is whether you need to apply for a grant of probate. What is a grant of probate? Probate is the official...
A guide to building inspections before your purchase
For many Australians, buying property is one of the most significant transactions that they will ever make, which is why it is important to know the condition of the house or unit you are buying before you move into it. Getting a building and pest inspection may...