News and Insights

Most people want to have certainty about what will happen to their assets when they pass away. While a valid Will is crucial, and it is important that your Will is as up to date as possible, a Will on its own may not provide the certainty you would l

If you have a self-managed superannuation fund (SMSF) with a corporate trustee company as trustee, then each director will need a director ID – and beware, there is not much time left to obtain one before the cut off. What is a director identific

Yes, it is possible to set up a single member SMSF. Although, there are a number of rules and requirements which must be met in order for a single member fund to be considered a compliant single member SMSF. It is important if you are considering est

The High Court was asked in the recent case of Fairbairn v Radecki [2022] HCA 18 to consider whether the de facto relationship between Mr Radecki and Mrs Fairbairn had broken down for the purposes of the Family Law Act 1975 (Cth). The implications of

Disputes over superannuation death benefits are on the rise and it’s not surprising. Superannuation often forms a substantial (if not the most substantial) part of a deceased person’s overall wealth, especially if it includes life insurance. What

Lawyers can be great barometers of social change.  In the last two months I’ve had no fewer than eight new clients with the following complaint: “My sibling [and the nursing home] is denying me contact or access to my mum or dad.” It is a f

Albert Wylie was 82 and in the last year of his life when he appointed one of his daughters, Yvette, as his Enduring Attorney. Although another daughter, Wendy, had been providing Albert with care, that changed when Yvette decided that she would move

Queensland’s new Enduring Power of Attorney and Advance Health Directive forms came into effect on 30 November 2020.  The changes include the option for individuals to set out their preferences to guide how their enduring attorney will make decisi

As some of you may know, generally speaking, in Queensland we recognise Enduring Powers of Attorney (EPOA) made in other Australian States and Territories as valid in Queensland. From 30 November 2020, for the first time, Queensland will recognise E

Charities that are entitled to apply for certain tax exemptions in Queensland may need to review and amend their governing documents, following the expiry of a transitional period on 9 November 2020. Registration as a charitable institution in Queen

There are many circumstances or “triggers” which may require a review of your Will and other estate planning documents, share Greg Cox and Krystal Bellamy from HopgoodGanim's Estates and Succession practice. Among those triggers are changes to t

There have been a number of hot topics which charities and not-for-profits should be aware of as they are due to take effect in the near future. Below is a summary of some of the topics. Queensland duty, land tax and payroll tax concessions – ha