Transferring Property Prior to Bankruptcy

Often, people with financial difficulties facing pressure from creditors will try to protect their property by transferring it to a spouse or family member to avoid the property forming part of the asset pool if the person later becomes bankrupt. The following options are available to bankruptcy trustees to recover property that was transferred by […]

Not in the will… does it count?

A recent decision in the Supreme Court of Western Australia shows that pre-testamentary wishes are difficult to prove unless they are expressly provided for under a valid Will. In Caratti, the deceased mother made a decision during her lifetime that her son, and future beneficiary of her estate, could reside at her house for as long as he wished. However, there was no provision of this right in her Will. The consequence was that the deceased’s son was not eligible for an exemption to land tax despite using the property as his place of residence.