News Centre
February 24, 2023 · Mingqiang
As a Beneficiary of a Will, What If You Don’t Want to Inherit the Estate?
Beneficiaries who do not want an inheritance can sign a legal document with the executor to refuse it, allowing the executor to pass it to the next eligible beneficiary. Refusal requires a deed and cannot occur before the testator dies or after the gift has been accepted.
February 23, 2023 · Mingqiang
Some overseas buyers of NSW property no longer have to pay certain taxes — did you know?
Buyers from New Zealand, Finland, Germany and South Africa purchasing residential-related property in NSW or owning land as individuals are exempt from surcharge purchaser duty and surcharge land tax. Overseas persons from these countries can also obtain refunds for either surcharge paid on or after 1 July 2021.
February 17, 2023 · Mingqiang
Legal Knowledge for Buying a Second-Hand Car
When buying a second-hand car in NSW, dealers must disclose information affecting the transaction, including major modifications, flood or hail damage, deregistration and odometer tampering. Private sales must provide clear title but do not carry a dealer guarantee, so buyers should be aware of the difference in protection.
February 16, 2023 · Mingqiang
Do You Need a Lawyer to Draft Contracts and Agreements?
When drafting a contract or agreement, consider the risks of ambiguous wording and missing terms. Online templates may be unsuitable or outdated. You can draft contracts yourself, but we recommend consulting a lawyer and addressing terms and special circumstances clearly and completely, without ambiguity.
February 11, 2023 · Qiqi
Phoenix WEEKLY: Over 40,000 Chinese Students Urgently Need to Return to Australia — Local Logistics Can’t Keep Up, Is Studying in Australia Still Worth It?
Planning to study in Australia in 2023 requires attention to return arrangements after China stopped recognising overseas degrees earned remotely. Visas, flights and accommodation are under pressure, and universities differ on online teaching. Tuition fees, language environments and accommodation requirements for minors also warrant consideration.
February 10, 2023 · Mingqiang
My spouse cheated — can I claim a larger share of the property in the divorce?
A spouse’s infidelity does not entitle you to more property in an Australian divorce. Property settlement weighs financial and non-financial contributions, future needs and marriage length. Applying for divorce requires proof of irretrievable marriage breakdown, with at least 12 months’ separation and no prospect of reconciliation.
February 9, 2023 · Mingqiang
Buy a home with as little as a 2% deposit? Who qualifies? Key things to watch out for!
Under NSW’s Shared Equity Home Buyer Helper, eligible applicants can buy with a deposit as low as 2%. The government contributes according to property type and holds matching equity. Participants still bear purchase and ownership costs, must remain eligible, and share sale gains or losses proportionately with the government.
February 3, 2023 · Mingqiang
Facing Workplace Bullying and Sexual Harassment: Use the Law to Protect Yourself
Repeated unreasonable behaviour at work that puts your health and safety at risk may be workplace bullying. Reasonable management action carried out reasonably is excluded. Sexual harassment can be a one-off incident, and you can complain to the relevant bodies if problems arise.
February 1, 2023 · Mingqiang
In Australia, Can a Sponsor Who Is Not Yet Divorced Sponsor a Third Party for a Partner Visa?
A sponsor who is not yet divorced can, in theory, sponsor a new de facto partner for a Partner visa, but applications are complex. Evidence must establish a genuine, ongoing relationship, an irretrievably broken marriage and reasonable grounds for not divorcing.
January 31, 2023 · Mingqiang
When the Landlord Sells the Property During the Lease: How Tenants Can Protect Their Rights
If your landlord sells during a fixed-term lease, you may refuse inspections open to everyone and need not do extra cleaning for viewings. If belongings are stolen or damaged during viewings, a compensation claim requires proof that the landlord, agent or someone they authorised caused the loss.