Attwood Marshall Lawyers

31/05/2026

A beautiful start to Winter. This is the view from our Coolangatta office this morning looking towards Greenmount. So nice to see the sunshine after all the rain!

29/05/2026

27/05/2026

Moving in with family is one of the most significant decisions an older Australian can make. It's usually driven by practicality, and by trust. But trust alone isn't a legal document, and without one, the consequences can be serious.

In a recent Queensland Supreme Court case, a 76-year-old Gold Coast woman contributed more than $270,000 toward a property to live with her daughter and son-in-law. When the relationship broke down and they asked her to leave, she had no formal agreement to protect her. The case went all the way to the Supreme Court.

She was ultimately successful but at significant cost to everyone involved, financially and personally.

A granny flat agreement reflects good planning. It sets out what each party has contributed, what happens if circumstances change, and how everyone's interests are protected before those questions become urgent.

We work specifically at the intersection of aged care law and estate planning, which means we see these situations more than most. The families who come to us before an arrangement goes wrong are in a very different position to those who come to us after.

Click here to read more about the case, what a granny flat agreement involves and why it matters: https://attwoodmarshall.com.au/granny-flat-agreements-the-she-will-be-right-attitude-wont-suffice/

26/05/2026

This morning, members of our Wills and Estates team joined the Gold Coast business community at the Crowne Plaza Surfers Paradise in support of the Salvation Army's 2026 Red Shield Appeal.

The Salvos are aiming to raise $41 million nationally to fund vital services for people experiencing homelessness, financial hardship, family and domestic violence, and addiction.

The national doorknock appeal takes place this weekend – Saturday 30 and Sunday 31 May – with community and shopping centre collections also running alongside online donations.

We're proud to stand alongside the Gold Coast business community in supporting the Salvos' frontline work. If you'd like to contribute, visit https://www.salvationarmy.org.au/red-shield-appeal/

📸 Pictured L–R: Senior Associate Xara Coassin, Lawyer Leigh Steyn, Saman Mall (Salvation Army Relationship Manager for Wills and Bequests), Department Manager Donna Tolley, and Lawyer Chloe Wilson.

25/05/2026

If your Will includes a testamentary trust, the federal government's latest budget announcement is worth understanding.

Attwood Marshall Lawyers Legal Practice Director Jeff Garrett has written an explainer on what the proposed 30 per cent minimum tax on discretionary trusts actually means — and importantly, what it doesn't change.

Our Wills and Estates team is working with clients now to review their estate plans. If you're unsure what your Will contains or whether it needs reviewing, our estate planning solicitors can help.

Read Jeff's piece here: https://attwoodmarshall.com.au/is-the-budgets-new-tax-on-discretionary-trusts-a-death-tax/

22/05/2026

If someone has asked you to be their power of attorney, it might feel like a simple request and something you hope you never actually need to step into. But if the time comes, the responsibilities are far greater than most people expect.

Many Australians misunderstand the authority the appointment gives them. For instance, you can only act within what the document and the law allow, you can't change someone's Will, you can't gift their assets freely, and you must keep your finances strictly separate from theirs.

Attwood Marshall Lawyers Partner and Accredited Aged Care Professional Debbie Sage joined 4CRB's Law Talks this morning to walk through what it really means to take on this role.

She spoke about the conflicts of interest that catch people out, why supported decision-making still matters even after capacity is lost, and why seeking legal advice at the start of the role (not just when something goes wrong) can prevent serious disputes down the track.

You can listen to the full interview here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJzSuaIKPLA

If you've been appointed as an attorney and want to understand your obligations, our team can help. Call us on 1800 621 071 or visit attwoodmarshall.com.au.

21/05/2026

This afternoon, our team came together across all offices for Australia's Biggest Morning Tea, and what a spread it was!

We had a range of different dishes, mystery prizes, raffles and a whole heap of fun.

Big congrats to Wills and Estates Lawyer Allyse Liddy and Estate Litigation Associate Lily Prasad, who won the bake off and a raffle hamper, respectively.

Every year, we host this event to raise funds for the Cancer Council, supporting life-saving research and vital services for people navigating a cancer diagnosis. Last year we raised $1000. This year, we're aiming for $3,000.

If you'd like to chip in, our fundraising page is still open here: https://www.biggestmorningtea.com.au/fundraisers/hollygilholme/

19/05/2026

Did you catch tonight’s Gold Coast News?

Our Wills & Estates and Aged Care Partner Debbie Sage joined Dr Michael Pyne and Nine’s Paul Taylor to shout about our Community Wills Days supporting Currumbin Wildlife Hospital.
Two out of three are sold out, but there are still limited spots available for our Kingscliff Wills Day.

Visit https://currumbinwildlifehospital.org.au/support-us/events/wills-day/ to secure a spot and help save wildlife!

14/05/2026

Debbie Sage, Wills and Estates Partner and Accredited Aged Care Professional, is taking part in the Vinnies CEO Sleepout this June, and she's asking for your support.

For one night, she'll be sleeping outside with a cardboard box and a sleeping bag alongside business and community leaders across the country, raising funds for people experiencing homelessness.

The scale of this issue is growing. In Queensland alone, the number of people experiencing persistent homelessness has more than doubled since 2018–19.

And it isn't just the people you might picture. Older women are particularly vulnerable. A lifetime of lower earnings, time out of the workforce for caregiving, and then a crisis like domestic violence or relationship breakdown can make the path to homelessness swift and severe. For a single person on the age pension, just 0.2% of rental listings across Australia are considered affordable.

Debbie has seen this up close in her legal work. This is her way of doing something about it.

Every dollar raised goes toward accommodation, meals, emergency assistance and long-term support through the St Vincent de Paul Society.

Here’s the link to donate: https://www.ceosleepout.org.au/fundraisers/debbiesage/gold-coast

Watch this short video to hear why it matters 👇 ▶️ https://youtu.be/8RBotUGuE70