Discretionary trust and land tax (NSW)
Your family discretionary trust may be liable for NSW ‘’surcharge land tax’’ in the current land tax year if it owns “residential land” in NSW and a “foreign person” is a potential beneficiary of the trust. Many readers will be aware that the NSW State Government introduced “surcharge purchaser duty” in June 2016 and […]
Employment contracts in Court
As a rule of thumb, it is always better to assume that the terms of an employment contract will hold up in court. However, the reality is that courts will not always enforce all contractual provisions. Specific clauses or even the entire contract may fail for two general reasons: poor legal drafting or provisions that are overly […]
Elder Abuse in Australia: Recognising Signs and Prevention StrategiesElder Abuse
“From this time on in Australia, elder abuse will no longer be someone else’s problem and I am committed to working with [organisations] to eradicate it in our community,” Mr Porter told a conference assembled in Sydney. What Does Elder Abuse Look Like? Elder abuse can be defined as the single or repeated act, or […]
Wills for same sex couples
Although no more special than heterosexual families, the same sex or ‘Rainbow’ family has its own intrinsic features and therefore need to be accounted for in their individual Wills and estate planning. While there is literature both for and against same sex couples raising children, the fact of the matter is that couples in same sex […]
Casual to Permanent
Historically a casual employee in New South Wales had a very limited avenue to become a permanent employee. Either your boss wanted you to become permanent, or they didn’t. However, due to recent changes from December 2017 the Fair Work Commission has said that casual employees now have a detailed path for requesting permanent employment […]
Getting the PPSR right
Do you borrow or lend money with security? Or are you involved in invoice financing, floor plan financing, debtor financing, chattel mortgages or equipment leasing or rentals? If so, then read on – this article is for you! We are told that the Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) as it applies under the Personal Property […]
Do you need a commercial consultant?
Business always involves risks, and success requires vision, entrepreneurial instincts and some luck. Often, the risk taken does not provide the expected reward, and this is when you may need guidance from a expert corporate advisor. Here are some of the signs to look out for: 1. You need an outside eye It’s your business […]
Our Guide to Voluntary Administration
If you are thinking about insolvency, there are so many new terms that a business owner may face in a very short period of time. Understanding who does what and what their obligations are can often be clouded, because whilst you may have employed or engaged a third party, they may have obligations to people […]
Guide to Garnishee Notices
A garnishee notice is a serious issue. It means that a debt has reached the stage where the court has made an order that allows the creditor to seek repayment from a third party, whether it be your bank or your client or customer (or for employees directly from your employer). If you are issued […]
Succession Planning Strategies
For business owners, succession planning can take many forms, and this guide covers some of the major considerations. Whilst not a complete guide, we cover a range of succession planning strategies, considerations for business owners and what steps can (and should) be taken to minimise complications into the future. We understand that succession is not […]
