Welcome to our February newsletter
Attwood Marshall Lawyers
Helping people and changing their lives for the better. Coolangatta, Kingscliff, Robina, Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne
In this edition, we are pleased to share our?latest?insights and updates, including:
8. In the Community
9. Coolangatta Surf Life Saving Club
Queensland Government's Public Inquiry into Elder Abuse
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On Thursday 13th February, our Aged Care Partner, and Accredited Aged Care Professional, Debbie Sage appeared as a witness at the Queensland Government’s Public Inquiry into Elder Abuse.
Debbie was invited to speak at the inquiry due to her long advocacy for the safety and wellbeing of Queensland’s older community, and her campaigning to introduce new laws that specifically criminalise elder abuse.
Debbie told the hearing that Queensland is lagging behind when it comes to legal protections for our most vulnerable community members. She also explained how financial abuse of the elderly is rife and goes unreported as the victims can be ashamed, isolated, or dependent on their abusers.
Debbie called for stand-alone legislation for elder abuse, mandatory reporting requirements and a review of power of attorney laws.?
Other members of our Aged Care team, including Senior Associate Larisa Kapur, and Paralegal Bindy Marshall, both also Accredited Aged Care Professionals, attended the public hearing.?
Debbie was also interviewed by ABC News at the inquiry.?
Learn more and watch Debbie's report with ABC News, here.
Recent insights from our team
Our lawyers regularly write blogs, providing their insights into legal developments and news stories happening across Australia.
COMMERCIAL LITIGATION: Senior Associate, Jade Carlson explains how to know if you have a claim for unfair dismissal or are covered by the 'general protections' provisions of the Fair Work Act.
AGED CARE: Accredited Aged Care Professional and Aged Care Paralegal, Bindy Marshall discusses a recent tragedy on the Gold Coast highlighting the deep fear many older Australians have about moving into aged care.
PROPERTY & COMMERCIAL LAW: Senior Associate, Tobie Mitchell examines the recent transatlantic, intellectual property battle over the ‘Ugg boots’ name.
COMPENSATION LAW: Senior Associate, Henry Garrett explains why reporting a workplace injury immediately to your employer can make or break your WorkCover claim
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 visiting our News page.
OPINION: Three years on from the Lismore floods; Why the insurance industry must have a consistent and sustainable approach to claims and disputes
Read more from Charles here.
Attwood Marshall Lawyers in the media
Estate Litigation Partner, Lucy McPherson featured on The Australian's 'Bronwyn Podcast' by Hedley Thomas; episode 23, Will Power
Estate Litigation Partner, Lucy McPherson, was recently invited to speak with The Australian's National Crime Correspondent, David Murray, for episode 23 of Hedley Thomas' renowned true crime series, the 'Bronwyn Podcast'.
The Bronwyn Podcast investigates the disappearance of 31-year-old Bronwyn Winfield from Lennox Head. Bronwyn was a devoted mother of two young girls and was going through a painful separation from her husband, Jon Winfield. Jon has always maintained Bronwyn just went away and denies any wrongdoing.?
In this episode of the podcast, David Murray questioned whether Jon breached his obligations as executor of the Will of another woman, Beverley Brooker, who left him a multimillion-dollar inheritance, by delaying a payment to a second beneficiary.
Lucy explained whether it was Jon Winfield's responsibility to inform other beneficiaries that Beverly had died and that her cousin was a beneficiary.
Legal Practice Director, Jeff Garrett, appeared live on ABC Radio's 'Brisbane Mornings with Steve Austin' to discuss Queensland's Public Trustee
Jeff was invited onto ABC Radio's 'Brisbane Mornings with Steve Austin'to discuss his experience with the Public Trustee in Queensland. This follows his previous contribution to ABC's Four Corners?investigation, which exposed neglect, extraordinarily high fees, conflicts of interest, and financial mismanagement within the Public Trustee.?
During the interview, Jeff shared how Attwood Marshall Lawyers has supported numerous clients who suffered financial losses and emotional trauma due to the Public Trust Office's mismanagement of their affairs.
Jeff highlighted that many people are unaware of how the Public Trustee charges for its services.
He also discussed estate matters, where clients struggled to deal with the Public Trustee's high fees and the complexities involved in estate administration.?
Jeff recounted shocking cases of maltreatment, including individuals being confined to nursing homes without access to friends of family, while the Public Trustee took control of their assets – selling them off to convert into cash.?
Attwood Marshall Lawyers In The Community
On Tuesday 18th February,?our Wills and Estates team took part in a Community Wills Day for our friends at Parkinson’s Queensland.
Parkinson’s Disease is a progressive neurological condition, characterised by both motor (movement) and non-motor symptoms. There are more than 100,000 Australians currently living with Parkinson’s, with 32 Australians diagnosed every day. Alarmingly, there is no cure.
Our experienced estate planning lawyers were delighted to donate their time to draft Wills, to help raise vital funds for this well-deserving charity and help people plan for the future and preserve their wishes.
We are proud to contribute to such a worthwhile cause. If you are able to donate to Parkinson's Queensland, click here.
Proudly Supporting Coolangatta Surf Life Saving Club
Located across the road from each other, Attwood Marshall Lawyers, with more than 75 years’ history of serving clients, and Coolangatta Surf Life Saving Club, with 65 years as a pillar of the beachside community, have a strong partnership built on our shared values and a commitment to helping people and changing their lives for the better.
One of the club’s members, 13-year-old Miley, a dedicated young lifesaver at the club, was recently diagnosed with T-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (T-ALL), a rare, aggressive blood cancer.
Miley and her family now face a tough two-year treatment journey, including frequent hospital stays in Brisbane.
Coolangatta SLSC are supporting Miley and her family with a community fun day at the club at 10am on Sunday, 9 March. There will be a raffle and prizes worth more than $8000, a bake sale and a ‘Shave for Miley’ where community members will shave their heads and beards to raise funds for Miley’s family.
Attwood Marshall Lawyers will be heading to the surf club to enjoy the fun and support Miley, and her family. Why not join us?
Get your raffle ticket, support the bake sale, and cheer on the shavers! Let’s make a difference for Miley and her family. If you can donate, Miley’s raffle tickets and prize information are available here >>?Miley's Raffle.
To donate to the shavers, please click here >>?Shave for Miley.
Both links to donate are also available on Coolangatta SLSC’s Instagram bio and Facebook page.
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), 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.
21 February
Estate disputes of music icons – lessons we can all learn with Martin Mallon, Estate Litigation Senior Associate
A look at the estate disputes of legendary music icons and the valuable lessons they leave behind, including the turmoil surrounding B.B. King's estate – where several of his 15 children were embroiled in disputes over multiple Wills and trusts, and the legal challenges faced by Barry White's de facto partner following his passing.
14 February
Enduring Power of Attorney vs Advance Health Directive – what's the difference??With Natalie Comerford, Wills & Estates Associate
Clearing up the confusion surrounding Advance Health Directives and how they differ from an Enduring Power of Attorney. Both documents are essential estate planning tools that allow individuals to express their wishes, provide clear instructions, and appoint a trusted person to act on their behalf.
07 February
Demystifying common misconceptions about transitioning to aged care with Larisa Kapur, Wills & Estates and Aged Care Senior Associate & Accredited Aged Care Professional
Answers to the frequently asked questions about aged care, helping individuals make informed decisions..
31 January
The Queensland Government's Parliamentary Inquiry into Elder Abuse?with Debbie Sage, Partner & Accredited Aged Care Professional
The Parliamentary Inquiry into Elder Abuse in Queensland will investigate the devastating impacts of elder abuse, such as neglect, financial exploitation and psychological and physical abuse.
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.