Making your own will seems straightforward. You can buy a will kit from the newsagent, download a template online, or simply handwrite your wishes on a piece of paper. It costs very little and feels like the job is done. Unfortunately, homemade wills are one of the most common sources of estate administration problems — […]
Home Made Wills — What Can Go Wrong? Read More »
The Aged Care Act 2024 (Cth) commenced on 1 November 2025 and introduced the most significant changes to Australia’s aged care system in over 30 years. If you or a family member are considering entering residential aged care — or are already in care — this post explains what has changed and what it means
Entering Aged Care — What the New Rules Mean for You and Your Family Read More »
You’ve sold your property. Contracts are signed, the settlement date arrives, and the purchaser doesn’t complete. What are your rights? The Default Process Under the standard general conditions of the Contract of Sale of Land, if a purchaser fails to settle on the due date the vendor can issue a formal default notice giving
When a Purchaser Doesn’t Complete — What Can a Vendor Do? Read More »
New Laws Mean We Will Be Asking You More Questions From 1 July 2026, new federal laws will change how Armour-Craig Legal onboards and works with clients. We want to explain what is happening and why, so there are no surprises when you instruct us. What Are These New Laws? The Federal Government has introduced
The Federal Budget 2026-2027 announced that the Government intends to introduce a 30% minimum tax on discretionary trusts from 1 July 2028. There has been a lot of media commentary about this and understandably, if you have a testamentary trust in your will — or have been considering one — you may be wondering
Changes to Probate Office fees will commence on 18 November 2024. COMPARISON CHART OF OLD & NEW LOGING FEES FOR GRANTS OF REPRESENTATION (PROBATE/LETTERS OF ADMINISTRATION) Estate Value Current fees New Fees Less than $250,000 $68.80 $0.00 $250,000 to $500,000 $68.80 $514.40 $500,000 to $1,000,000 $367.40 $1,028.80 $1,000,000 to $2,000,000 $685.90 $2,400.50 $2,000,000 to $3,000,000 $1,502.40 $4,801.00
VICTORIAN PROBATE OFFICE FEE CHANGES Read More »
Land Tax From 1 January 2024 land tax can no longer be adjusted between a vendor and purchaser (applies to contracts for the sale of land entered into from 1 January 2024). Adjustment clauses in contracts of sale requiring apportionment of land tax will be unenforceable and penalties for breaches of the new law can
Adjustment of Land Tax and Windfall Gains Tax Prevented Read More »
From 1 January 2025 VRLT will apply to the whole of Victoria and the application of VRLT will depend on an owner’s use and occupation of residential land for the previous calendar year. So, on 1 January 2025, an owner’s use and occupation of residential land for 2024 will determine if the VRLT will apply.
Vacant Residential Land Tax (VRLT) Read More »
With all the hype about ChatGPT – Fleur Craig has been having fun asking ChatGPT all sorts of legal questions. Whilst answers where somewhat questionable, Fleur can’t deny it’s better at poetry. Here is a poem created using ChatGPT entitled “Adverse Possession”. Adverse possession, a curious notion, The claiming of land through long-time devotion. Where
ChatGPT Poem entitled “Adverse Possession” Read More »
Marriage In broad terms a Will is revoked by the marriage of the Willmaker. There are exceptions including as to dispositions to a person the Willmaker is married to at the time of death and appointments of that person as executor or trustee or guardian. A Will can be made in contemplation of marriage, or