Insights
Stay informed with the latest legal updates, expert commentary and practical advice from the team at Miller Harris Lawyers.
Am I in a de facto relationship?
As a family lawyer, I am regularly asked the question – am I in a de facto relationship? The answer to this question is not as simple as you might expect. A person will be considered to be in a de facto relationship if, having regard to all of the circumstances of...
The truth about why you need an enduring power of attorney
The importance of an enduring power of attorney is often overlooked because people believe that their spouse or next of kin will be able to look after their affairs if they were to lose capacity. The truth is, it would be very difficult for your loved ones to deal...
Building covenants and solar panels – are there restrictions on maximising energy efficiency?
Building covenants are common features of contracts for the purchase of properties in new residential estates. Property developers use them to ensure that houses, fences and other improvements to be constructed by the buyer conform with the landscaping and design of...
What you need to know about spousal maintenance after separation
You have separated, and are yet to agree on a property settlement, but you need access to money. When a couple separate, it places an enormous strain on their finances. Where previously the family income was only required to support one household, the same income is...
3 tips for separated parents to make the most out of the Christmas holidays
Communicate and plan ahead After separation parents often put in place a routine for their children. In some situations the children’s routine will not initially include arrangements for school holidays and special occasions such as Christmas Day. If you fall into...
Did you get caught on the road?
It is a privilege to hold a drivers’ licence, not a right. In Queensland, there are laws that you must obey when issued with a driver’s licence. These laws have been implemented to ensure your safety and others on the road and include road rules. If you do not comply...
A gift for consumers in time for Christmas
With the holiday season quickly approaching, legislation extending the expiry period on gift cards to a minimum of three years provides a welcome gift for consumers across Australia. The changes will come into effect on 1 November 2019, and as a result, new...
Drug Testing in Family Law Matters
Drug and alcohol use is a rising social issue both in Australia and worldwide. The National Drug Strategy Household Survey[1], conducted in 2016, produced the following alarming statistics: 1 million Australians, aged 14 years and older, had used illicit drugs in the...
Should You Formalise The Parenting Arrangements For Your Children?
Formalising the parenting arrangements for children after separation has many benefits for both the parents and children. A formalised agreement provides a predictable and stable routine, reduces the chances of conflict, and reduces stress and the likelihood of the...
BIG LIFE CHANGES: The effect of marriage, divorce and separation on your will
There seems to be a misunderstanding about divorce and the appropriate time to update your will or do a new will. You should always have a current and up to date will in place. Waiting for your divorce to be finalised is never a good reason to delay your estate...
Lost trust deeds – a forgotten saviour?
Lost, destroyed or missing trust deeds can sometimes lead to tears, misery and heart attacks. But is the situation as dire as it seems if a document, crucial to organising your financial affairs, disappears? Maybe it is the advent of trusts as a useful financial...
Debunking 4 common family law myths
There are many misconceptions or “myths” in family law that can lead to separating couples making poor decisions that are not in their best interests. We debunk some of these common myths below. Myth 1: “I am not married so I don’t need to have a property settlement”...
When do children get to decide which parent they will live with?
One common misconception that parents often have following separation is that their child will get to decide who they live with and how much time they spend with the other parent. The living arrangements for children after separation is a decision to be made by both...
How to separate your property and finances following separation
One of the first questions that we are often asked by clients going through a separation is, how do we separate our property and finances and protect ourselves? It is important for separating couples to understand that there are only two ways in which you can finalise...
Rotary FNQ Field Days Update
The largest field days in Northern Australia returns this year to the Mareeba Rodeo Grounds on 29, 30 and 31 May. The Rotary FNQ Field Days is a biennial event running since the mid 1980’s and delivering the largest community event on the Tablelands. A combined event...