News & Resources

In many Family Law property settlements, the value of the matrimonial home is often a contentious issue which arises.

The family home is the most precious asset which many Australians own. The current strength of the Sydney property market has resulted in significant growth in housing prices over recent years, as such the value of a family’s home may have grown significantly during the length of the relationship.

There has been a nationwide effort to criminalise coercive control since the tragic murder of Hannah Clarke and her three children Laianah, 6, Aaliyah, 4, & Trey, 3, at the hands of her estranged husband Rowan Baxter, in Queensland on 19 February 2020 when he set their car on fire.

What does the term “estate planning” mean?

This is term we use to describe all and any documents which relate to your own person. This includes your Will, power of attorney and enduring guardian. It can also include any letters of wishes or advanced directive that you may have.

For those of us whose “family” includes a furry friend, they can often be forgotten when we discuss our own mortality. However, unlike humans, pets cannot directly inherit any assets. Under Australian domestic law, they are considered to be property and can therefore be given to someone or something as a gift, but they themselves cannot be the recipient of a gift.

One of the primary objectives of the Court in parenting matters is to determine what the best interests of the children are and to make orders to that effect. In some circumstances, a Court will appoint an Independent Children’s Lawyer (“ICL”) to your matter. An ICL represents your child’s best interests and makes sure that is the focus of any decisions about parenting arrangements.

After a marriage or relationship breaks down, the issue of whether to stay in the family home or leave is a hotly contested issue. This is especially emotive when children are involved. Finances are tight and may not stretch comfortably, or even at all, across two households for the payment of rent and/or a mortgage. After all, few adults want to move back in with parents. So, what does the law say?

Solari and Stock is pleased to welcome a new addition to the team, Valentina Abouzeid.

An Executor is the person appointed in another person’s will to dispose of the monies, property and other assets listed in that will, after the death of its author.

An Executor has to follow both the deceased’s wishes and numerous legal requirements when disposing of that estate.

A recent Supreme Court case in Queensland is a timely reminder of the need to take care when nominating who is to receive a member’s superannuation benefits, particularly when the provision is made in the binding death nomination for payments to be made to a member’s estate.

The short answer to this question is ‘yes’ it could be categorised as a ‘De Facto Relationship’ if it meets the criteria set out below. Therefore, you need to be aware that once you start spending significant time with a new partner, you are leaving…