Wills & Estates

Elder Abuse by an Attorney

  • February 22, 2022

A person appointed under an Enduring Power of Attorney (EPOA) to act as an Attorney for the benefit of another (usually called the Principal) is obviously placed into a position of supreme authority and trust. In situations where an Attorney begins abusing their powers to the detriment of the Principal, concerned family and friends who…

THE 15% TAX TRAP ON SUPERANNUATION DISTRIBUTIONS (Why you might need a “Conflict of Interest” clause in your EPOA)

  • May 12, 2021

After death, any money that the deceased was still holding in their Superannuation Fund must be distributed out. According to the usual Superannuation rules, the payment of this money is made in line with written instructions* and is typically directed to the deceased’s surviving spouse and/or family members. Under tax laws however, these payments will…

Sharing Family Finances with an Enduring Power of Attorney in place?

  • May 12, 2021

Sharing financial assistance within family networks such as interest free loans, lump sum gifts and even contributing to the cost of the construction of a granny flat for personal occupancy occur all the time. Usually, these arrangements go on between Parents and their adult children but can also be between adult siblings and/or spouses. Commonly,…

How does Covid-19 impact on legal services and the law

  • May 9, 2020

How does Covid-19 impact on legal services and the law Although undoubtedly, the present restrictions on human contact and movement are having an unpresented impact upon Australia’s economic prosperity and these same factors are undoubtedly impacting also on many people from a mental health perspective. For the most part, none of these restrictions should effect…

Executors Questions Answered

  • August 8, 2019

On the 7th of August Zande Law ran a seminar on ‘Executors Questions Answered’. A big thank you to all of our guests. Judging from feedback, all information was well received. Watch out for upcoming seminars!

Health Check For Your Enduring Power Of Attorney

  • May 23, 2019

HEALTH CHECK FOR YOUR ENDURING POWER OF ATTORNEY Medically speaking, we all know that a regular health check-up with your Doctor (even when we are not sick) can detect and cure health problems before they become unmanageable. In many ways, the same practice should be followed with legal documents such as Enduring Powers of Attorney…

Family Loans – 3 Things You Should Know

  • August 29, 2017

Since very early days, family members have often asked for, or offered inter-family private loans to assist with personal financial dilemmas. In present times with the ever rising cost of living/housing and other nasty events such as unexpected loss of employment or divorce/relationship breakdown, inter-family loans are consequently becoming far more common.  Because the loans…

Testamentary Trusts- Are they a good idea?

  • July 13, 2017

Testamentary Trusts – Are they a good idea?  A Testator’s Testamentary Trust is a special type of Will. Financial planners often recommend them but what are they and are they a good idea? Normally, the Will appoints an executor and gives to that executor the power to gather in the deceased’s entire estate and distribute…

Your Questions on Wills Answered

  • March 20, 2014

We regularly receive questions from clients about Wills. Why should I make a Will? If you don’t make a Will, your assets will be distributed to your surviving relatives according to a fixed priority ranking and none of your assets can even be distributed until one of your relatives obtains authority to do so via…

Using a Power of Attorney to make Family payments

  • January 10, 2014

Drop into any domestic family situation anywhere in the world and a culture of “share and share alike” can usually be found. When the family is young, practically everything becomes “communal” except maybe personal clothing and sometimes even that! As the children grow up and parents grow old however, the money, property and favours that…