Here are some useful tools and links
We understand that our clients have busy lives and that not all transactions occur between 9.00 am to 5.00pm Monday – Friday anymore. While our helpful staff are always ready to assist you between the hours of 9 to 5, Monday – Friday, we had added tools and links below that will assist you with after hours queries*.
*Please note, these tools/links are only a guide and the information and results may not be applicable to your circumstances. For further detailed information please contact our office.
Residential Conveyancing Guides for Buyers
This handy booklet is the perfect guide to understanding residential conveyancing in Queensland.
Calculate Stamp Duty & Government Fees
Find out how much Stamp Duty you will need to pay with this useful online calculator.
Calculate Land Tax
This calculator gives an estimate of Land Tax in Queensland. The rates shown are effective from and including the 2015-16 Land Tax year.
Queensland Law Society Links
This is a collection of legal brochures published by the Queensland Law Society that covers a wide range of legal issues including buying and selling residential and commercial property, estate planning, family law, understanding the legal professional and more.
Unfortunately, most of us disregard the importance of Estate Planning and having an Estate Plan in place. Whether it is due to time constraints, the notion that “my family will know what to do” or the complexity of the issue itself, Estate Planning is often pushed to the bottom of our never ending list of items to consider and undertake. No matter your net worth, it is important to have an Estate Plan in place to provide certainty and security for you and your family should unforeseen and/or unfortunate circumstances arise.
Generally an Estate Plan will include a Will, Enduring Power of Attorney and/or Advance Health Directive.
Will
A Will is an essential part of your Estate Plan. It is a written legal document that specifies how you require your assets to be distributed upon your death and appoints an Executor and Trustee who will administer and distribute those assets in accordance with your wishes and the law.
Should you die without having a Will in place (known as intestacy), your assets may not be distributed in accordance with your wishes and will become subject to the rigid laws of intestacy. It is therefore imperative that you begin your Estate Plan by having a Will in place.
We understand that not everyone has the same asset and/or family structure or wishes for their Estate, and that is why we seek to draft Wills in accordance with the individual needs and requirements of our clients.
We seek to establish a client’s testamentary capacity by their knowledge of family particulars, their assets and comprehension to ensure the validity of the Will. We can then advise clients as to the need for particular requirements and inclusions in the Will for example, setting up a trust and providing for life estates.
We can accommodate appointments out of the office (if required) and we can also arrange for an interpreter should English be a secondary language for our clients. In certain circumstances, an independent medical opinion may also so be required.
To make an appointment or to speak directly with one of our solicitors, please contact our office. Once an appointment has been made you will be directed to print and complete our Will Instruction Sheet which you may download from here. Please ensure that you bring the completed Instruction Sheet to your next appointment.
Power of Attorney
A Power of Attorney is a written legal document in which you (referred to as the Donor or Principal) authorise another person or persons (referred to as the Attorney/s) to act on your behalf for a specific purpose and time.
Generally, there are two types of Powers of Attorney, a General Power of Attorney and an Enduring Power of Attorney.
A General Power of Attorney is used while you have capacity to make your own decisions. It is used for financial decisions only and is often for a specific period/event i.e. if you were heading overseas and required your Attorney to sign documents or to pay bills of your behalf.
An Enduring Power of Attorney is used for personal and/or financial decisions and can be used while you have capacity to make your own decisions or even if you lose capacity. An Enduring Power of Attorney is generally used to appoint an Attorney to act on your behalf for personal and financial matters upon your mental and/or physical incapacity.
Advance Health Directive
An Advance Health Directive is a document that states your wishes and/or directions regarding your future health care/ medical treatment needs. It comes into effect only if you are unable to make your own decisions.
To make an appointment or to speak directly with one of our solicitors, please contact our office.
Buying / Selling
What is Conveyancing?
The term “Conveyancing” is used to describe the process of transferring title and ownership of property from one party (seller) to another (buyer).
I am looking to purchase a property and the Agent has provided me with a partially completed Contract, do I sign the Contract or should you review it first?
We strongly advise that you allow our office to review the Contract prior to signing.
Do I need to attend your office for you to review the Contract?
No, depending on your location and circumstances we can discuss the Contract with you by phone, visit you at your home/office or you may attend at our Brisbane office.
What is covered during the Contract Review process?
Once we are in receipt of the draft Contract our Solicitor will discuss with you, your requirements and future plans for the property/business, the terms of the Contract and then we will draft Special Conditions (if required) to suit your personal circumstances.
I have signed a Contract to purchase a property, what do I do now?
To engage our services, please kindly request the Agent to send us a copy of the fully signed Contract by email or fax. Once we are in receipt of the Contract, we will then contact you directly to discuss the next steps.
I am looking to purchase a property, will I need to pay Transfer Duty? If so, how much?
Transfer Duty (previously known as Stamp Duty) is payable when you buy or transfer property in Queensland. It is calculated on either the consideration paid or the value of the property, whichever is greater. To calculate how much Duty will be applicable to your transaction please click here. Please note, concessions or exemption may apply.
I have just signed a Contract to sell my property, what do I do now?
To engage our services, please kindly request the Agent to send us a copy of the fully signed Contract by email or fax. Once we are in receipt of the Contract, we will then contact you directly to discuss the next steps.
Estate Plans
What is Estate Planning?
Estate Planning is “your plan” for the disposal and distribution of your Estate (assets) upon your passing.
No matter your net worth, it is important to have an Estate Plan in place to provide certainty and security for you and your family should unforeseen and/or unfortunate circumstances arise.
Generally a basic Estate Plan will include a Will, Enduring Power of Attorney and/or Advance Health Directive.
I would like to make a new Will where do I start?
To make an appointment, please contact our office. Once an appointment has been made you will be directed to print and complete our Will Instruction Sheet which you may download from here. Please ensure that you bring the completed Instruction Sheet to your next appointment.
How much to make a new Will?
Our basic Estate Plans start from $300.00 + GST.
** Specials ** Book and finalise your Estate Plan (Will and Power of Attorney) by 31 December 2016 and receive 50% off Professional Fees. *Offer only applies to basic Estate Plans.
Other
What areas of law do you practice in?
A full list of our Practice Areas can be found here.
Do you offer after hours appointments?
Yes, while our office hours are 9.00am – 5.00pm Monday – Friday, we do offer after hours appointments, weekend appointments and home/office visits. Please contact our office for further information.
Do you offer any discounts or specials?
Yes, our current New Year offers are as follows:
Estate Plans
Book and finalise your Estate Plan (Will and Power of Attorney) by 31 December 2016 and receive 50% off Professional Fees. *Offer only applies to basic Estate Plans.
Make the right move
Fill out the form below or call us on 3343 5511