The end of a relationship is often an uncertain time. It can be crucial to obtain early legal advice from a family lawyer to be clear about your options, rights…
Digital Estate Planning – and The Tools You Need to Use as Part of Your Estate Planning
Today, most of our lives exist online – from photos, to emails, social media profiles, and financial accounts. Your whole life can be stored or managed online…… but what then…
After over 25 years of dedicated service, Sue Fridey will be retiring from her role as Director at Wightons Lawyers from 30 June 2024. Sue is taking a well-earned break…
A proud history of legal service – Women in business
One of the oldest and most trusted law firms in Geelong, Wightons Lawyers have a proud history of providing legal services in the area for over 130 years. It’s a…
When you separate and are working out ‘who gets what’, superannuation can often be an after-thought and less visible than the other property to be divided. However for the purposes…
Mediation is a form of alternate dispute resolution that can be used to help people resolve family law disputes, outside of Court proceedings. An independent person, known as a mediator,…
Family Law & Disclosure – do I have to provide that?
After you separate, you might not want your former partner to know the ins and outs of your spending, or how much money you’re earning. However parties to a family…
Screening for risk in parenting matters – a new Court initiative
The Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia is the main Court dealing with family law matters in Australia. A key focus for the Court is family violence, and how…
Marriage, separation and divorce – family law and wills implications
By Charlotte Brancatisano, family lawyer, and Emily Ranner, wills and estates lawyer Getting married and separating are life events that have a significant effect, from the emotional impact to…
Superannuation is not an asset that is presumed to be dealt with under a person’s Will, and careful consideration should be given to superannuation entitlements when completing one’s estate planning.…
Parents of minor children should consider numerous factors when their Will is concerned. With some proper planning, the detrimental effects of the loss of a parent can be minimised, as…
As one half of the leadership team at Wightons Lawyers, Justine Finlay and Susan Fridey share a passion for mentoring young team members and providing an example they can look…
De Facto relationships in family law – what does it mean?
By Charlotte Brancatisano, Family Lawyer It is commonly assumed that in family law, if you live together you are automatically considered to be in a “de facto relationship”. However, that…
Can I give this information to someone else? Confidentiality in Family Law
Family law disputes and proceedings can require you to provide personal information and private documents to the Court and other party, ranging from medical reports to financial documents. A worry…
Following a separation, questions about the care arrangements for the children and division of assets are usually front and centre. However there is a different member of the household that…
A Will is an important document which leaves certain instructions to be effective upon your death. These instructions should include the appointment of an Executor, who is the person who…
I’ve just separated from my partner; do we split assets 50-50?
There’s a widespread notion that following separation, the property or assets of a couple are divided “50-50” or that each person is “entitled to half”. Whilst in some cases an…
If a person dies without a valid will, they have died “intestate”. This means that the distribution of their estate will be made in accordance with the rules of intestacy…
When purchasing or acquiring a property, land transfer duty also known as stamp duty is required to be paid to the State Revenue Office at the time the property is…
Buying or selling a business is a large decision with a number of considerations and requirements to be addressed. It is not always possible to buy or sell a business…
A Power of Attorney is a really important document that allows you to nominate someone you trust to act on your behalf. A Non-Enduring Power of Attorney ceases to operate if you…
Notaries are an ancient branch of the legal profession; holders of a unique office of trust who have special knowledge and experience in matters which cross international borders and jurisdictions.…
HAVING a comprehensive estate plan is essential to avoid unnecessary complications, costs and headaches. An estate plan goes beyond signing a will. The plan should also consider other assets and…
Family lending and relationship breakdowns: a gift or a loan?
For many people, the prospect of purchasing a home in the current property market, with its escalating property values, seems unattainable without additional financial support. It is not unusual then…
For many parents, a breakdown of their relationship can create concern about their ability to provide financially for their children. Most parents would be aware of the existence of periodic…
“WE’LL be there.” It’s a phrase that epitomises the team at Wightons Lawyers. Wightons has always been there for their clients and always will be. With a history almost as…
Welcome Jacinta Learey Wightons Lawyers welcomes Jacinta Learey to our ranks. Jacinta is an experienced lawyer who has worked exclusively in family law since 2016. Jacinta aims to achieve the…
Geelong Community Foundation - By Jesse Rankine Wightons Lawyers - "We're here to help" it's at the heart of everything we do. At Wightons we understand the importance of supporting…
What is a shareholders agreement and why have one?
What is a shareholders agreement and why have one? - By Murray Pegg A shareholders agreement is a legally binding contract entered between all of the shareholders (owners) of a…
Homemade Wills - Prepared by Wightons Lawyers The advantage of doing a homemade Will is that they can be done at home at little-to-no cost. However, doing a homemade Will…
Congratulations Jesse Rankine - By Justine Finlay Jesse Rankine, Director, has been named on Doyle’s 2020 listing for Leading Victorian Wills, Estates & Succession Planning Lawyers. To see the full…
Wills, Powers of Attorney and Covid-19 - Prepared by Wightons Lawyers We remain open and continue to provide our clients with the necessary support and assistance with regard to Wills,…
Important Commercial Tenancy Update (COVID-19) - By Jesse Rankine The rights and obligations of landlords and tenants of commercial tenancies have been substantially altered due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The…
Further Commercial Tenancy Update (COVID-19) - By Jesse Rankine The Victorian Government has now passed the COVID-19 Omnibus (Emergency Measures) Act 2020 (“the Act”) in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.…
Commercial Tenancy Update (COVID-19) - By Jesse Rankine The Federal Government recently released a Code of Conduct for commercial tenancies during the COVID-19 pandemic. A copy of the Code of…
The impact of Corona Virus on parenting arrangements
The impact of Corona Virus on parenting arrangements - By Briony Robertson The ever changing directives of the Government and health authorities in the midst of the global COVID-19 pandemic…
Family Law obligations of parents in these uncertain times
Family Law obligations of parents in these uncertain times - By Susan Fridey Many parents are unsure as to their obligations to facilitate time between the other parent and their…
Meet Emily Fraser Wightons Lawyers welcomes Emily Fraser who has joined our ranks as a graduate lawyer. Emily has worked for us as an assistant over the past year and…
Voluntary Assisted Dying Act 2017 - Prepared by Wightons Lawyers On 19 June 2019, the Victorian Voluntary Assisted Dying Act 2017 came into force. It allows Victorians suffering from a…
There is no such thing as a 'water-tight' Will - By Jesse Rankine Wills and Estates lawyers are frequently requested to prepare a ‘water-tight’ Will – a Will that cannot…
Superannuation Death Benefits - Prepared by Wightons Lawyers Did you know that your superannuation benefits may not pass the way you hope they do? Superannuation does not generally form…
Am I entitled to a property settlement? - By Briony Robertson One of the common misconceptions in family law is that you need to have been in a de facto…
Recent changes to Child Support Legislation – by Briony Robertson The laws regarding Child Support in Australia have recently been amended, with many of the changes taking effect from 1…
Congratulations to Jesse Rankine, LIV Accredited Wills and Estates Specialist
Congratulations to Jesse Rankine, LIV Accredited Wills and Estates Specialist – by Wightons Lawyers We are thrilled to announce that Jesse Rankine has obtained accreditation from the Law Institute of…
Cyber security update – by Jesse Rankine The use of technology in modern business has increased dramatically over the past decade. While we used to send most correspondence via post…
Appointing a Medical Decision Maker – by Ben McLean On 12 March 2018 the Medical Treatment Planning and Decisions Act 2016 (the Act) came into force in Victoria. The Act…
Jesse Rankine joins the Wightons partnership – by Wightons Lawyers The directors of Wightons Lawyers, Murray Pegg, Justine Finlay and Sue Fridey, are pleased to announce that Jesse Rankine has…
Testamentary Trusts - Prepared by Wightons Lawyers Testamentary Trusts are Trusts that are created within your will. Testamentary Trusts are designed to provide your beneficiaries with asset protection and can…
Does my loan need a whitewash? – by Murray Pegg Buying into the family business can have some traps. David and his three younger brothers started a business 30 years…
Debt Collection for Businesses – by Ben McLean Running a business can be hard enough without having to deal with debtors who owe you outstanding sums of money. Try as…
More Changes to Enduring Powers of Attorney – by Jesse Rankine The Powers of Attorney Amendment Act 2016 and the Power of Attorney Amendment Regulations 2017 have come into effect…
Wightons Lawyers acquires the practice of Randell Bell
Wightons Lawyers acquires the practice of Randell Bell – by Wightons Lawyers We wish to announce that we have acquired the legal practice of the late Randell Bell. Mr. Bell’s…
Wightons Lawyers, now in Ocean Grove – By Wightons Lawyers We have great pleasure in announcing that we have opened a new satellite office in Ocean Grove. This office will operate…
What happens if I die without a will? – By Jesse Rankine If a person dies without signing a valid will they die ‘intestate’. This means that the distribution of their estate…
Wightons Lawyers welcomes Melanie Wyatt and Ben McLean
Wightons Lawyers welcomes Melanie Wyatt and Ben McLean – By Wightons Lawyers Wightons Lawyers welcomes our newest lawyers Melanie Wyatt and Ben McLean. Melanie is an experienced family lawyer whilst Ben…
Special Disability Trusts - By Alette Rennie For many families of children with severe disabilities the future can represent a time of uncertainty and angst. As parents age, questions as to the…
The Powers of Attorney Act 2014 (“ the Act ”) introduced significant changes to enduring powers of attorney in Victoria. The changes under the Act, outlined below, came into force on 1 September 2015.…
Wightons Lawyers is thrilled to have published our new (and much improved) website. We will now be providing our clients with regular updates and articles through our website and also…
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