COVID-19 | Emergency Measures in Victoria – Electronic execution of deeds and mortgages, and remote witnessing

On 24 April 2020, the Victorian Government’s COVID-19 Omnibus (Emergency Measures) Act 2020 received Royal Assent. That Act made sweeping changes in various areas, on a temporary basis, to address many practical issues being faced due to the various restrictions in force to seek to minimise the spread of COVID-19. That Act permitted the Governor […]

Readmore

Life cycle of litigation beyond life: deceased estates

What do you do when there is no-one to sue? In the Supreme and County Courts in Victoria, there is a civil procedure when the defendant is deceased or dies and a cause of action survives. See below our overview of this procedure. Click here to view the full size PDF.           […]

Readmore

Blended families and the 1 November 2017 changes to succession legislation

On 1 November 2017, the Administration and Probate and Other Acts Amendment (Succession and Related Matters) Act 2017 (the Amending Act) came into operation.   1.    Intestacy In Victoria, if a person dies without a valid Will (intestate), or with a valid Will but such Will does not deal with all of their assets (partially […]

Readmore

Death tax? How the superannuation changes may lead to your dependants paying more tax

If you intend to leave your superannuation to a dependant (e.g. your spouse, child or children) by way of pension as opposed to a lump sum, then it is critical that you have your estate plan reviewed in light of the government’s superannuation changes commencing on 1 July 2017.   What are the relevant changes? […]

Readmore

Possession Proceedings Against Deceased Estates in Victoria

Where a registered proprietor of real property is deceased, in Victoria court proceedings may be commenced against the personal representative of the estate. The personal representative is identified by the grant of probate or letters of administration. In some cases an estate does not have a personal representative appointed. This can be due to the […]

Readmore