I don’t want to get technical, but …
I don’t want to get technical but Queenslanders are increasingly discovering that an estate isn’t limited to property and bank accounts. A lifetime of photos, emails, social media and even cryptocurrency may sit behind passwords or two-factor authentication and,...
Frozen bank accounts and cash under the mattress to pay for your funeral?
We regularly hear of a client’s plan to stash some cash under the mattress or give money to a family member, prior to their passing to cover the funeral bill when they die. This concern arises from the client’s view that the bank will freeze their account after they...
New Seller Disclosure Statement – It’s here !!!
The obligation for sellers of property to provide a Form 2 Seller Disclosure Statement came into effect from 1 August 2025. This has brought significant change to Queensland’s property landscape. Sellers must now provide a mandatory disclosure statement and key...
Who Can See a Will After Someone Dies?
Who Can See a Will in Queensland? When a loved one passes away, it’s natural to want clarity around their wishes—especially about their Will. In Queensland, specific rules determine who has the right to see the Will. Who Can Access the Original Will? The person...
The Lawyer, the Iphone & 13 Million..
For a Will to be validly executed, it must meet certain requirements – eg. it must be signed by two witnesses. The Court recently had to consider whether a digital note saved on an iPhone by a Mr Colin Peek - a multi-millionaire - was in fact his Will. If it was his...
When Should You Update Your Will?
“I have done my Will and don’t need to look at it again. Right?” Wrong. Your estate plan can become outdated as your circumstances change. Marriage, divorce, the birth of a child, changes to your assets and changes in family relationships can all affect whether your...
Buyer (and Seller) Beware !!
Major changes relating to the purchase and sale of property in Queensland came into effect on 1 August 2025. Queensland's new seller disclosure scheme changed the way information must be provided when property is sold. The scheme requires sellers to provide buyers...
Testamentary Capacity and Knowing Your Will’s Contents
A person who makes a Will must have testamentary capacity. This means they must understand the nature and effect of making a Will. They must also understand what they own and the people who may have a claim on their estate. Testamentary capacity plays an important...
It was mum’s fault !
It is not uncommon for parents to exclude children from their Will – especially where the relationship between the parent and the child has soured. As you can imagine, the reasons for a breakdown of the relationship between a parent and child can be many and varied....
It’s On Again
I recently wrote about ASIC commencing penalty proceedings against CBUS Superannuation Fund. In those proceedings, ASIC asserts CBUS failed to act efficiently when handling claims for the payment of Death Benefits of members. Well, ASIC is on the civil penalty...