SRM Lawyers

11/10/2021

Did you know that as of today, paper certificates have been abolished? They are no longer considered a legal document. Don't worry, it doesn't mean that you no longer own your property! However, if you pay off your mortgage you won't receive a paper certificate of title, nor will you receive one if you're a cash buyer of property. The Torrens Title Register has and always will be the single source of truth as to the ownership of a person's property. If you have a paper certificate of title for your property you can either do nothing, destroy it or frame it.

Please contact us if you'd like more information about this change.

12/02/2021

If you have clear wishes about your end-of-life care, you might like to consider preparing an Advance Care Directive. This is a great article that highlights the importance of making your wishes formally known. We always discuss Advance Care Directives in the context of our clients' estate planning. Feel free to contact us if you have any questions about your own estate planning requirements.

Doctors support them, yet less than 15 per cent of Australians have one. How do advance care plans help your loved ones honour your dying wish?

30/03/2020

These are strange times. We're all learning to adapt to new habits and lifestyles. Here at SRM Lawyers we're still working and available for you. We've changed our practices to make sure we comply with current health guidelines and restrictions. We came across this article today that may answer questions you have about the property market and buying/selling property in the current climate. Don't hesitate to contact us if you'd like to have a chat about your legal requirements in this ever-changing world.

Despite changes enforced by the coronavirus, the real estate market remains open for business. We answer all of your property questions.

06/12/2019

If you're buying off the plan, it's so important that you have the contract carefully reviewed beforehand so that you know what you're getting into. Most off the plan contracts allow the developer to decrease the area of the unit by less than or equal to 5%, change floor plans, fixtures, fittings and the position of car spaces or storage units, without repercussion.

Dozens of furious apartment owners in Sydney say huge chunks of the courtyards and rooms promised in their off-the-plan homes have failed to materialise.

15/10/2019

Spring has sprung and the property market is hotting up again. If you're thinking about buying a house or apartment, take a read of our top tips for property purchasers and don't hesitate to contact us for a free contract review.

Buying a property is often the largest single transaction that many people embark upon. It can conjure mixed emotions. It’s exciting to picture yourself living in your new home and injecting it wit…

05/09/2019

It's so common now for people to have assets in different countries. If that applies to you, it might be time to review your estate planning requirements.

Australia is a melting pot of nationalities and backgrounds and there are also a large number of Australians living and working overseas who consider Australia their permanent home (their domicile)…

10/05/2019

This is an interesting example of the problems that can result from your choice of business name. The tips at the end of the article are useful - pick a completely original name and don't make the business name descriptive of the business.

When Kylie Hughes received a cease-and-desist letter from Ikea’s lawyers in December 2017, it was “a little bit like getting a letter from a pop star you’re in love with”.

25/03/2019

SRM turned 5 today. Happy birthday to us!

04/02/2019

Here are our top tips to keep in mind when purchasing a property. Be sure to contact us if you'd like a complimentary contract review or if you have any other questions regarding the sale or purchase of a property.

If you believe the news it's currently a buyer's market in the real estate game. Legal Eagle Renee gives us tips on what to consider when purchasing a property.

19/01/2019

As cyber scams become more sophisticated, we all need to be more vigilant about how we make payments online. This article looks at payment redirection fraud and how you can protect yourself against it.

Online scams have been around for a long time. While we may have become better at spotting a suspicious looking email dotted with spelling mistakes and bad grammar, we don’t usually expect the scam…

24/10/2018

Here's some bedtime reading for you. If you don't have a power of attorney, give us a call!

SRM Lawyers Lane Cove tell us why you should have a power of attorney

18/10/2018

Many people acknowledge the need for a power of attorney, but overlook or dismiss the need to appoint an enduring guardian. This article discusses the importance of appointing an enduring guardian to make health decisions on your behalf, when you're not able to.

When we talk to clients about their estate planning needs, many assume that they don’t need to appoint an enduring guardian if they already have an enduring power of attorney. It’s actually importa…