Expert Advice

Tanya Herbertson has joined Meyer Vandenberg Lawyers as their newest partner, bringing a team of lawyers with extensive experience in wills and estates with her. Tanya and her team will expand Meyer Vandenberg’s existing wills and estates team to offer expertise in estate planning, trusts, enduring power of attorney, elder law and estate litigation. Tanya began her career as a...

The prospect of going to court can strike fear in the hearts and minds of even the most seasoned business owners. Litigation can be expensive and traumatising, but disputes that head down the path to court often don’t need to end up there. Meyer Vandenberg Lawyers special counsel and litigation expert Harry Kay says, “Courts are the stuff of television...

Searching for a lawyer is a delicate process because legal matters are often especially personal. You want to know that the law firm and lawyer you choose will take the time to understand your situation, and has the expertise to help you. For an individual or someone with a small business, that's not necessarily an easy task given the complexities...

Tax season is well and truly upon us, and the question on every Canberran’s lips right now is... how do I pay less tax? With so many enticing ways to spend our money, paying more tax than we need to certainly isn’t one of them. A few weeks ago, the Federal Government’s plans to increase the low and middle-income tax...

Nearly every Australian adult now carries a smartphone in their pocket. And while we use our phones for everything from ordering dinner, to hailing a ride or paying bills, few people are aware of the technology available to separating couples. DDCS Lawyers partner Alison Osmand says new technology like apps can help former spouses navigate the financial and shared care...

With concerns about building construction quality in the ACT becoming more prevalent, those buying a new dwelling or constructing their own may increasingly look to statutory warranties and insurance schemes for protection. However, the recent case of The Owners - Units Plan No. 3115 v The Trustees of the Master Builders Fidelity Fund Scheme FCA 115 (The Owners -...

Tanya Nadin fell into law in a roundabout way but is glad she did. A friend’s father was a Senior Counsel barrister in Sydney. After leaving school, Tanya worked for him while studying law. She says the exposure to high-calibre legal minds was fantastic and often inspiring. “I’ve never looked back,” says Tanya, a family law specialist and Partner of...

A leading Canberra real estate principal says first home buyers will have a better shot at home ownership in the new financial year. McIntyre Property founder Col McIntyre says the new rate of concession on stamp duty that comes into effect on July 1 will be welcomed. Stamp duty is a transactional tax which adds to the cost of buying...

Arising from accidents which cause serious injury, legal decisions can be confronting and as life-changing as the initial trauma. But there are two sides to every story. Kate and Bill are part of the Litigation group at Bradley Allen Love Lawyers, Canberra and specialise in insurance and personal injury litigation. Their high-quality legal advice and representations to clients comes from...

Chasing unpaid invoices isn’t fun, or an effective use of time for any business. Yet cash flow is king for businesses to grow and be sustainable. Bradley Allen Love (BAL) Lawyers is the legal partner of a new debt recovery website to help businesses get fast payment from debtors. Enforce Recoveries will be officially launched at BAL’s Business Breakfast Club...

Let’s be honest, a prenuptial agreement can take the gloss off a romantic relationship. Yet an experienced family law specialist in Canberra, who has been writing such agreements for more than 18 years, believes strongly in them for minimising risks and giving couples peace of mind. DDCS Lawyers partner Phillip Davey says while they’re generally known as a ‘pre-nup’, a...

At some stage, we all come to the realisation we are not getting any younger and must begin planning for our future. So, when the inevitable events beyond our control arrive, the key to peace of mind is not only having our affairs sorted out, but a plan in place, and a guide for the rest of our lives. Phillip...

What happens to our Instagram, Facebook and Twitter accounts when we die? Many people may not be aware they have digital assets and many more people would be unaware of their value. So how do you identify your digital assets and make provisions for them in your Will? This could be a significant question for millennials with broader, more comprehensive...

On 1 January 2019, a new standard for lease accounting came into effect, affecting any organisations that lease buildings, offices, retail spaces, cars, equipment and even intellectual property, from a lessor. The new standard, AASB 16 Leases, is being implemented globally by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB). It requires calculating the entire cost of a lease agreement (from the...

The Personal Properties Securities Act 2009 (PPSA) came into effect on 30 January 2012, providing regulation for personal property that is used as security, and clear reporting of security claims by creditors over particular goods and assets. As a result, the Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) was established. The PPSR makes it easy for consumers to check if an item...

Deciding to subdivide a parcel of land is the easy part, it's what follows that can be tricky, with many hoops to jump through, and costs and conditions to be met. Meyer Vandenberg's Property Commercial & Finance Team takes you through the process and answers the key questions. What is the purpose of subdivision? In NSW, any plan that creates...