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Since 1882 Robertson Hyetts Solicitors has been recognised as one of regional Victoria’s most respected firms. Our solicitors and specialists prepare articles to offer insights into how changes in the law may affect you.
Our articles detail legal matters as they relate to our business and private clients on a variety of subjects:
Intestacy provisions
The Administration and Probate and Other Acts Amendment (Succession and Related Matters) Bill 2016 was passed recently, and will come into effect on 1 November 2017. The new Act makes significant changes to the intestacy regime...
Further amendments on the horizon
Two further bills were introduced to parliament on 11 September 2017 seeking to amend the Fair Work Act 2009, taking the total number to 13. The Fair Work Amendment (Terminating Enterprise Agreements) Bill 2017 was introduced by in...
Land Transfer Stamp Duty Concession
Amendments commencing 1 July 2017 Buying off The Plan Concession Under the concession the cost of any conclusion or refurbishment which occurs after the contract date is deducted from the contract price (dutiable value) and stamp duty...
Trusts, taxes, and Labor’s announcement – what does it mean for me?
Labor have proposed a change to the way in which distributions from discretionary trusts are taxed in the hands of beneficiaries. If this becomes law, how will the new changes affect you? Discretionary trusts – can you give me...
Family Law Property Settlement e-book
We understand there is a lot of information to take in. Download our introduction to Family Law Property Settlements here – Family Law eBook...
First Home Owner Grant
Having recently purchased my first home in regional Victoria, I understand better than most just how difficult it is for Victorian first home buyers to break into the property market. The Victorian Government has recently announced...
Personal Property Security
It is timely to remind businesses of the importance of correctly registering security interests in property (other than land) on the Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) and to reflect on this developing area of the law. A lack...
Workplace Reform Back on the Agenda
Two bills to make substantial changes to the Fair Work Act 2009 were tabled in the federal Parliament yesterday. Following its 2016 federal election promises, on 1 March 2017 the Turnbull government tabled the Fair Work Amendment (Pr...
Appointing the Right Executor/ Trustee
Appointing the right executor is one of the most important decisions when making a will. In essence the role of an executor is to carry out the last wishes of the will maker by collecting assets, paying liabilities and distributing the...
Single, Married – or ‘It’s Complicated’?
The five key life events to trigger a review of your will How often should I review my Will? Unfortunately, there is no “one size fits all” answer to this question. However, there are some key life events which should definitely trigger...
Congratulations Kayla!
A massive congratulations to Kayla Kristensen who was admitted into practice yesterday! She is pictured below with our Employment Law Solicitor, Jessica Duff....
Congratulations Tessa!
A massive congratulations to Tessa Mead who was admitted into practice yesterday! She is pictured below with our Employment Law Solicitor, Jessica Duff and Director, Andrew Pickles. ...
Are you Compliant?
Bendigo businesses should expect a visit from the Fair Work Ombudsman (“FWO”) in 2017. The FWO conducts random audits of employment records as part of regional or industry-specific campaigns. It has been some years since...
Employment Law Update – January 2017
Welcome to our employment law update for January. Here we will keep you informed on current issues and the law on all things workplace relations. In this issue Jessica talks about the growing strike rate of employer audits carried out...
BUSINESS ADVISORS BEWARE: Liability Under the Fair Work Act 2009
Provisions extending liability for contraventions to people ‘involved’ in the breaches of workplace laws and relevant conduct are not new, having appeared in workplace relations legislation for over a decade. During 2016,...
A Stitch in Time – Avoiding the Most Common and Costly Employment Mistakes
Dealing with the countless demands of running a business, business owners often have little opportunity to consider whether they have the correct documents and procedures in place to protect their business from claims and actions by...
Enduring Powers of Attorney – FAQs and Myth Busting!
Last week, we briefly looked at Enduring Powers of Attorney. This week, I will answer the most commonly-asked questions regarding Powers of Attorney. I’ve made a Will. Why do I need a Power of Attorney? A Will is only operative after y...
Enduring Powers of Attorney
Enduring Powers of Attorney are a crucial part of the estate planning process. When prepared correctly, they allow someone to make decisions for you and manage your affairs on your behalf. It’s not just a form-filling exercise – t...
A Tax on Death?
On November 26, 2016 Senator Richard Di Natale, leader of the Greens, recommended that his party consider lobbying for the reintroduction of death taxes in Australia. What is a death tax, and who will it affect? What is a death tax?...
What is a Life Interest?
Last week, we spoke about the different estate planning consequences of owning property as joint tenants and as tenants in common. This week, we explain why owning property as tenants in common, coupled with a life interest in your...
Joint Tenants Versus Tenants in Common – Why Does it Matter?
Last week, we spoke about the difference between joint tenants and tenants in common. This week, we chat about the consequences from an estate planning point of view. Joint tenants versus tenants in common – why does it matter?...
How do I know whether I own a property as joint tenants or tenants in common?
When two or more people own real estate together, they can do so as joint tenants, or as tenants in common. The difference is important from an estate planning perspective, because it changes how the property can be dealt with in your...
“Doing A Will” and “Estate Planning” – what’s the difference?
I’m frequently asked “Hey, do you guys do Wills?” The answer is “yes we do – but is that really all you need?” Preparing a Will is an integral part of estate planning, but is only one part. Most people will need more than just a simple...
How Often Should I Review my Will?
It’s a question I get asked a lot, and unfortunately, there is no “one size fits all” answer. So my recommendation is to have a look at your Will and associated documents once a year. I’d be surprised if you needed to update it every ye...
Buying and Selling Property – it’s time to verify your identity
The Registrar of Titles announced new guidelines for verification of identity (VOI) on the 30th September, 2015. The guidelines set out in the announcement came into force on the 9th November, 2015, and it is now mandatory to meet the...