An EPOA should always be considered in the wider context of an estate plan

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An Enduring Power of Attorney (EPOA) is a document where a principal (a person or company) appoints an individual or individuals (called the attorney) to act for the principal in

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Can you revoke a will with a file note?

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A recent Tasmanian Supreme Court case considers this question: Wills can be revoked in a number of ways, typically by creating a later Will or executing a document to that

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Changes to succession laws in Queensland to affect blended families

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Walt Disney did stepmothers no favours when he created “Maleficent”, the wicked stepmother in “Snow White”. Thanks to her it is now a given that stepmothers are out to do

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Changes to requirements on trust property transfers

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Fred and Wilma are the trustees of the Flintstone Unit Trust which own a commercial premises in NSW and supplies building materials to its clients.  Fred and Wilma decide to

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Making a $540,000 non-concessional contribution without any money

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On 1 July 2017 the maximum amount a member can contribute to their super fund each year non-concessionally (i.e. no tax deduction) will decrease from $180,000 to $100,000. Currently, a

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Proper planning is always key to a succession and estate plan

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Good estate planning is not only about the Will but in the detailed planning that goes into the other aspects of the estate to achieve the best outcome for your

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Electronic signatures: the cases have begun

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A director’s electronic signature placed on a guarantee without his knowledge led to court action by a company seeking recovery of a debt from the director personally. In Williams Group

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The path to winding up an SMSF

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Winding up a SMSF may occur for a number of reasons but what needs to be done and what documents need to be prepared? There is a compliance/legal path to

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Wife who murdered husband can’t claim on estate

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In the recent case of Edward v State Trustees Limited [2016] VSCA 28 a wife who killed her husband in self-defence was not allowed to receive her husband’s estate under

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