Attwood Marshall Lawyers' News – November 2024

Attwood Marshall Lawyers has been supporting Australians through their toughest times and helping change their lives for the better for over 75 years.

This month, Attwood Marshall Lawyers' Legal Practice Director, Jeff Garrett, explains why everyone should consider their estate planning needs before the festive period.

It might not be on everybody’s holiday planning list, but just as you might secure travel insurance when booking your flights – not because you anticipate the worst but as a precautionary measure – the same principle applies to estate planning.

Read more here.

Recent insights from our team

Our lawyers regularly write blogs, providing their insights into legal developments and news stories happening across Australia.

Partner and Accredited Aged Care Professional, Debbie Sage discusses the concept of ‘supported decision-making’ in her latest article. She explains the pivotal changes to legislative frameworks to give people with disabilities, or decision-making disabilities, the autonomy to participate in decisions about their lives with proper support.

Compensation Law Senior Associate, Tina Davis, highlights how Queensland's Bruce Highway continues to take lives as motorists are urged to drive with care as the holiday season nears.

Commercial Litigation Senior Associate, Jade Carlson contends better protections are needed for Queenslanders buying units off-the-plan, and how it's time to let the sun set on 'sunset clauses'.

Estate Litigation Special Counsel, April Kennedy reflects on the recent family dispute over Richard Pratt's billion-dollar family trust, instigated by his love child, Paula Hitchcock. April discusses why family trusts are a common succession planning strategy used by high-net-worth individuals.

Property and Commercial Law Associate, Mieke Elzer explains how to keep emotions out of the deal when considering purchasing a holiday home as an investment property.

The above are just a small selection of the articles we have recently published from across all of our different departments.

Stay up-to-date by checking out our News page.

OPINION: Australia should follow South Africa's example – make exempt clauses in Wills for spouses and de facto partners, and pre-nuptial agreements the norm, to mitigate the likelihood of estate litigation, writes Wills and Estates Lawyer, Leigh Steyn

"Estate planning in South Africa and Australia are for the large part, mostly the same. A stark difference in Australia though is the prevalence of estate litigation and the heartache and expense that can bring to families mourning the loss of their loved ones."

Read more here

We are pleased to announce an exciting partnership with Coolangatta Surf Life Saving Club.

Located across the road from one another on Marine Parade, Coolangatta, Attwood Marshall Lawyers and Coolangatta Surf Life Saving Club share similar values and a commitment to helping people and changing their lives for the better.?

Deputy President of Coolangatta Surf Life Saving Club, Belinda Doman (pictured), is the SLSC's first and only female member to be awarded life membership.

Ms Doman said "I joined Coolangatta Surf Life Saving Club as a Nipper and that whole time, Attwood Marshall Lawyers has been across the road from us, always supporting our Coolangatta community."

Attwood Marshall Lawyers is excited about this partnership and look forward to joining forces to support the community and enrich Coolangatta together.

Attwood Marshall Lawyers' Community Radio

Attwood Marshall Lawyers is proud to partner with 4CRB (89.3FM) to deliver 'Law Talks,' an educational and informative legal program, broadcast to the Gold Coast and Tweed community.?

Established in 1984, 4CRB is a community radio station on the Gold Coast that is also a registered charity. Its purpose is to foster community engagement.

Every Friday from 9am (QLD time) on ‘Law Talks', join one of our experienced lawyers as they discuss legal issues that impact the community.?

For over five years, Attwood Marshall Lawyers has collaborated with 4CRB in this important information service. ‘Law Talks’ is an essential part of our contribution and service to the community, sharing knowledge and experience across various legal topics. We believe it is essential to educate the public about their rights and help them navigate an increasingly complicated legal system.

OUR LATEST EPISODES

22 Nov: Retirement Village Exit Fees – Don't get caught by surprise! with Larisa Kapur, Wills & Estates and Aged Care Senior Associate

15 Nov: Why legal advice is essential for drafting an Enduring Power of Attorney to ensure your wishes are honoured with Larisa Kapur, Wills & Estates and Aged Care Senior Associate

08 Nov: Supported decision-making’ and the pivotal changes to legislative frameworks with Partner and Accredited Aged Care Professional, Debbie Sage

01 Nov: Fighting for super – disputes over who should receive someone’s superannuation after they die with Estate Litigation Special Counsel, April Kennedy.

25 Oct: Who inherits? Navigating estate disputes in blended families and late-life marriages with Estate Litigation Special Counsel, April Kennedy.

Click here to access all of Attwood Marshall Lawyers' Law Talks episodes on Radio 4CRB.

Attwood Marshall Lawyers' Community Engagement

On Tuesday 12th November, our estate planning lawyers took part in another Community Wills Day at The Salvation Army Temple in Southport.?

The team drafted over 90 Wills for members of the public on the day.

Community Wills Days allow members of the public to have their Will drafted by an experienced estate planning lawyer for a modest donation that goes directly to The Salvation Army.?

Not only do these days help the community get their estate planning in order, but it also provides an opportunity for people to consider philanthropic bequests to worthy charities.?

Events like these make a real impact. Donations from this day will be used for community engagement work and emergency relief, including helping The Salvos deliver Christmas hampers for people in need this holiday season.

Attwood Marshall Lawyers is proud to contribute to such a meaningful cause and to continue supporting The Salvation Army.

With a community focus and sincere commitment to helping people and changing their lives for the better, we deliver exceptional services marked by integrity, understanding and responsibility.

Our experienced legal teams practice exclusively in their fields, leading the way since 1946.

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