head office: 9525 8688 
What are they? Building disputes commonly arise from disputes relating to non-payment for work, disagreements of the scope of work, poor workmanship/defective work, significant delays, abandonment of works and unlicensed works. These disputes can cause significant delays for both parties and incur considerable costs. What is the claim process? Before deciding to take your claim to court, you could take informal steps to try to [...]
Land tax is levied annually by each State or Territory government based upon the value of land for properties which reach the land tax threshold. This threshold changes each year and varies from State to State. Whilst land tax does not affect all properties and there are concessions and exemptions which apply, there are significant changes being implemented in Queensland which should be considered when [...]
When someone close to you dies, it is always a difficult time. However, if it comes as a shock that the Deceased has not remembered you in their Will, it can be very upsetting. While the law recognises that when making a will, a person (the Testator) has the right to deal with their estate as they wish, there is legislation in place to protect [...]
Purchasing a property is an exciting time, however it is also the biggest asset that most people acquire and requires thoughtful consideration. If you intend on purchasing a property jointly, either with a family member or friend, it is wise to think about the practicalities of owning that property jointly and what would happen if the relationship were to break down. Risks of co-ownership When [...]
When purchasing a property there are a lot of aspects to consider and various risks to be aware of. Engaging a skilled solicitor or conveyancer to act for you on your purchase is a great start and when you engage WMD Law to act for you, you can be sure that you are obtaining thorough advice. One of our recommendations to consider when purchasing a [...]
We usually recommend that our clients consider appointing another person to act as their attorney, pursuant to an Enduring Power of Attorney document, in case they become unable to manage their own affairs through lack of capacity or sudden illness or injury. The use of these Powers of Attorney is generally in accordance with the obligations cast upon the attorney by the appointment but, occasionally, [...]
Being named as a defendant in an Apprehended Violence Order (AVO) application can be extremely daunting. Orders can be made for the protection of a person in a domestic relationship, an Apprehended Domestic Violence Order (ADVO) or for the protection of a person who is outside of a domestic relationship, Apprehended Personal Violence Orders (APVO). An application for an AVO can be made by a [...]
If you are planning on assisting a family member or friend to obtain a loan by offering your own property as security for the loan – also known as being a guarantor – the bank/lender will usually require you to obtain independent legal advice first, so that the Bank can be assured you are fully aware of your rights and obligations. Being guarantor for someone [...]
Starting a new job can be an exciting yet stressful time. When it comes to signing an employment contract, many people are hesitant to bargain with their potential employer or ask for contract amendments over fears of putting the employer offside. However, it is important to know your value as a potential employee, including what you may bring to a team and the level of [...]
In 2019, the NSW Government enacted changes to duty and land tax laws in NSW being the State Revenue Legislation Further Amendment Act 2020 (NSW) (the Act). The Act had significant implications for discretionary trusts. In particular, the changes resulted in an assumption being applied that the trustee of a discretionary trusts is a foreign person and therefore any real property that is owned by [...]
