The Family Law Amendment Act 2023 was passed by the Australian Parliament on 19 October 2023. The changes include new laws about how the Courts will make parenting orders in the best interests of a child and commenced in May 2024. We have prepared a series of articles which will set out the major changes to the
Read MoreEnsure your Will, Enduring Power of Attorney and Advance Care Directive documents are up to date. Do your estate planning documents still reflect your wishes? Are your estate planning documents still relevant to your circumstances? Estate planning is a vital aspect of financial and personal well-being that often goes overlooked until it's too...
Read MoreIntroduction: Divorce or separation is a challenging time for individuals and families. As couples untangle their lives, the division of assets is a crucial aspect of the process. Superannuation, is often a significant financial asset, and subject to specific regulations under the Family Law Act (“the Act”). Below we will shed light on how the...
Read MoreIntroduction: Spousal maintenance is an aspect of family law in Australia, designed to address financial inequalities between spouses following separation or divorce, particularly where there is high level of need in one spouse. This legal obligation ensures that the financially disadvantaged party receives necessary support from their former...
Read MorePart 1 in this series discussed when an Independent Children's Lawyer would be appointed by the Court and their role in Family Law parenting proceedings. Part 2 of 2 Articles What about the child’s views? The Independent Children’s Lawyer ("ICL") will generally meet with the child depending on the child’s age, maturity, and other circumstances....
Read MoreAt Weatherly & Associates we are here to lend a helping hand in your separation. We understand that it can be an overwhelming time and that you will have questions on how to move forward. That is why we have created a list of some questions you could ask to maximize your free 30-minute
Read MorePart 1 of 2 Articles Particularly in parenting matters, the Court places great emphasis that the interests of the child or children are to be regarded with crucial importance. This why the Court may appoint an Independent Children’s Lawyer (also known as an ICL) to impartially represent the child’s interests for the Court’s
Read MoreAs an executor of a Will, it will be your duty to collect in the deceased person’s assets, pay any debts, make payments of any bequests, transfer any assets and attend to the final estate distribution. A bank account will often need to be opened in the name of the estate. Alternatively, if a solicitor has been instructed, estate funds can be...
Read MoreA bequest is a gift made in your Will, usually to a person or charitable organisation, which is received after your death from your estate. Types of Bequests There are different types of bequests that can be made in a Will. Some of these include: There are other types of bequests that can be included in your Will. If you would like to know more...
Read MoreIn our last article about testamentary trusts we spoke about the advantages of having one, however they may not be suitable for everyone. There are ongoing expenses for maintaining a testamentary trust, namely legal fees, accounting fees (for the preparation of tax returns), and in some instances fees payable to the trustee if a professional is...
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