News Centre
May 31, 2022 · Mingqiang
A Guide to the Rights and Duties of Executors and Beneficiaries of a Will, and How to Handle Disputes Between Them
Making a will ensures that the estate is ultimately distributed in accordance with the testator’s own wishes. A Guide to the Rights and Duties of Executors and Beneficiaries of a Will, and How to Handle Disputes Between Them — the testator usually appoints someone to carry out the will, namely the executor, to distribute the estate. Because estate distribution can be complex, disputes between executors and beneficiaries arise frequently. For this reason, it is very important, when administering an estate — and especially when a dispute arises — to understand your rights and duties as either an executor or a beneficiary.
May 27, 2022 · Mingqiang
Looking at the “Trial of the Century” – What Conduct Constitutes “Defamation” in Australia (NSW)?
Recently, the lawsuit between the famous actor Depp and his ex-wife Heard has been making headlines. Depp sued his ex-wife Heard, claiming her conduct constituted defamation against him. Depp and Heard married in 2015 after dating for many years. However, the marriage lasted only about a year. In 2016, Heard filed for divorce and claimed she had been subjected to violent treatment by Depp.
May 26, 2022 · Mingqiang
Australia Has a New Prime Minister — But His “First Lady” Isn’t His Wife!? A Look at How Seriously Australia Treats De Facto Relationships
Australia has a new Prime Minister overnight, and naturally there is a new “First Lady” as well. But hold on — does she even count as the “First Lady”?
May 23, 2022 · Qiqi
“The elderly gentleman was this close to being sent back home alone!” The law is not without compassion — a memorable successful AAT appeal
Over the past few weeks we have had multiple successful AAT appeals overturning visa refusals from the Department of Home Affairs. These include 485s, 600 visitor visas and 500 student visas, as well as extremely long-pending 187s. To be honest, every case overturned on appeal is hard won — submissions of several thousand words and supporting materials running into hundreds of pages are routine. Today we want to share a heart-warming and unexpected successful appeal.
May 23, 2022 · Mingqiang
Dealing with a Difficult Tenant as an Australian Landlord: How to Enforce Your Rights in a Commercial Lease Dispute
Australia has now entered the living-with-COVID phase, and commercial activity has largely returned to normal. However, the impact of COVID has not disappeared. Vacant shopfronts for lease are a common sight on the streets, and many landlords are facing tenants who fall behind on rent or use the premises in breach of their lease.
May 20, 2022 · Mingqiang
As a sole trader in Australia, what do I need to start a small business?
Running a business in Australia as a sole trader is the simplest business structure. As the name suggests, a sole trader personally operates and manages every aspect of the business, and the individual’s tax affairs are the same as the business’s. When starting a business as a sole trader, you need to:
May 19, 2022 · Mingqiang
Thinking of Starting a Business? Sole Trader, Partnership, or Company? Pros and Cons of the Three Main Structures
Australia is experiencing serious inflation right now, and many people feel that wage growth is falling far behind the rise in prices — and once you look at property prices, the sighs only get heavier. You may have wondered: instead of slogging away as an employee for a lifetime, perhaps it’s time to give being your own boss a try.
May 18, 2022 · Mingqiang
What Counts as De Facto in Australia?
In Australia, we often hear couples describe their relationship as “de facto”. Many people are in fact already in a “de facto” relationship without realising it, assuming they are not subject to family law. So what exactly is a “de facto” relationship? “De facto” means a “relationship in fact” — the couple has not registered a marriage, but where certain facts and conditions are met, all the rights and obligations between them are equivalent to those of a married couple
May 13, 2022 · Mingqiang
Behind on Rent in Australia? Options to Keep Your Business Running Beyond Closing Up Shop
Applications for the NSW commercial landlord hardship grant close on 31 May 2022. If you are an eligible commercial landlord, make sure you submit before the final deadline.
May 12, 2022 · Mingqiang
Tax Season Is Coming: What You Must Know About Filing and Refunds in Australia
Australia’s tax system is strict. If you live and work in Australia, you naturally need to comply with its tax rules — pay and declare your tax properly, and claim the refund you’re entitled to. Recently, the Australian Taxation Office announced it would investigate fraudulent refund activity involving 40,000 Australians. With the annual Australian tax refund season just around the corner, this article walks through the things you need to watch out for when lodging tax returns and claiming refunds in Australia.