Areté Legal

28/08/2024

5 years ago on 28 August 2019 I opened the doors of my very own law firm and business Areté Legal.
What a 5 years it’s been! There’s certainly been some interesting challenges since I started - some contemplated others (pandemic anyone?!) not so foreseeable.
5 years of assisting, guiding, counselling and helping clients achieve their dream of property ownership and other significant goals.
5 years of growing, sustaining and developing professional connections with my champion network of referrers and industry colleagues.
5 years of learning on the job from my peers, clients, mentors and myself.
5 years of continual opportunities to experience personal and professional growth.
I wish to you thank all of my wonderful friends and family who encouraged and supported me in the decision to start my business and for their continued counsel and backing every day since.
A huge shout out of gratitude and thanks to my referral partners who have promoted my business so generously by recommending my services to their clients over and over again. It is a pleasure and privilege to work with each and every one of you - thank you for entrusting me with your clients.
To all of my valued clients - thank you for choosing Areté Legal to support you on your property, estate planning and legal journeys and for recommending me to your family and friends.
I am so honoured and humbled to have achieved this milestone.
Without all of the aforementioned’s continued and sustained support, I wouldn’t have been able to build a business I am proud of and to call my very own.
THANK YOU!!

02/07/2024

Another example of why it’s so important to have an Estate Plan in place - whatever age you are. An estate plan should include a Will - which comes into effect when you pass away, an Enduring Power of Attorney which deals with financial and personal matters and an Appointment of Medical Treatment Decision Maker dealing with healthcare decision both of which operate when you are alive but may be incapacitated and unable to make decisions for yourself and finally a Binding Death Benefit Nomination for each of your super funds (if you have more than one). Each of these documents play an important role at different points and all are necessary to you have a complete and comprehensive estate planning solution. It’s a small expense to pay now to save your family and loved ones a larger more cumbersome one at time when they grieving. Contact Areté Legal today to discuss putting your estate plan in place - Areté Legal or [email protected]

When Quintin Bowen died suddenly in his early 30s without a will, it left a complicated legal mess for his grieving mother that took more than five years to sort out.

09/05/2023

When transferring or receiving funds it is best to act with caution. Always confirm account details by phone before you transfer!

Law firms and their clients are targets for cyber fraud including email compromise, payment redirection fraud and ransomware attack. Here are some precautionary measures we can all take to ensure the security of your inf...

24/03/2023

This real life example gives insight into why it's important to ensure your Death Benefit Nomination is up to date and reflects your current circumstances and why it's important to seek advice before you make a nomination.

Click on the Law Institute of Victoria link below to read -

17/06/2021

Do you know who is eligible to receive your Superannuation when you pass away? Do you have a valid death benefit nomination in place? If you have answered "NO" to either of these questions, please take a look at our Blog post on our website on this topic -link to our Blog is in the comments.

An article in today's The Age newspaper demonstrates a case where the Super Fund overruled the nomination as it did not comply with the Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Act, the federal legislation governing superannuation. This has had devastating emotional and financial consequences for the people left behind. Don't let this happen to you or your loved ones.

It's very simple to make a valid nomination. If you'd like more information or assistance, please contact your Super Fund or our office to discuss.

Ashleigh Petrie died at 23, just weeks after her relationship with magistrate Rodney Higgins, 68, made news. She left her superannuation to her mother, then Higgins claimed it.

29/10/2020

ATTENTION ALL SWIMMING POOL AND SPA OWNERS

The 1 November 2020 deadline to register your swimming pool/spa with your local Council is fast approaching.

Registration of swimming pools and spas has become mandatory in Victoria through the introduction of the Building Amendment (Swimming Pool and Spa) Regulations 2019 (“the Regulations”) on 1 December 2019.

The Regulations were introduced to prevent drownings, improve safety and reduce the chance of further tragedies occurring.

If you haven't registered your pool or spa with your local Council, please register before 1 November 2020.

Check out our blog post for more information

ATTENTION ALL SWIMMING POOL AND SPA OWNERS

03/09/2020

Paying the Deposit

Have you purchased a property and are wondering when you need to pay the deposit? You might think its obvious, but have you read your Contract? What does it actually say about when the deposit is to be paid?
Head over to our blog for what you need to know once you've signed on the dotted line -

You’ve signed a Contract of Sale to purchase a property, Congratulations! So, when do you pay the deposit? It might seem like a straightforward question, but it might not be so simple.

28/08/2020

Areté Legal is turning 1!

It has been quite the first year in the business! Nerissa would like to thank all those who have supported Areté Legal in its first year of operation, our loyal clients and business supporters including mortgage brokers, client relationship managers, accountants, financial advisers, fellow lawyers, family and friends.
Thank you so much for your support throughout our first year. We have really enjoyed working to assist you and your clients with the purchase of first homes, sales of homes, transfers of property, preparation of Wills and Powers of Attorney and the administration of deceased estates.

By continuing to provide practical, proactive and straightforward legal advice for our current clients, business supporters and new connections, Areté Legal look forward to building upon the successes of our first year. THANK YOU!!!

24/08/2020

Settling a property during Stage 4 Restrictions

If you have purchased or sold a property and are settling during the Stage 4 restrictions, you are able to leave your house for the purpose of a private inspection of a residential property for the purpose of a sale/purchase in accordance with the Chief Health Officer’s Directives dated 3 August 2020.

In accordance with Section 200 of the Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008 the Chief Health Officer has the power to make certain directions in accordance with emergency powers arising from declared state of emergency.

The Chief Health Officer’s Stay at Home Directions (Restricted Areas) (No. 6) released on 3 August 2020 included Part 3 Reasons To Leave Premises, stipulating that people can leave their house and travel within a restricted Area (i.e. Greater Melbourne) for the purpose of a private residential property inspection. The power comes from Clause 10(1)(g) – which states:

10 Leaving premises for other reasons
(1) A person who ordinarily resides in the Restricted Area may leave the premises in the following circumstances:
(g) for purposes relating to, or associated with, dealing in residential property, including attending a private inspection of a
residential property organised in accordance with the Restricted Activity Directions (Restricted Areas) (No. 4) and the
Restricted Activity Directions (No. 16); or

(h) for the purposes of moving to a new premises at which the person will ordinarily reside; or

You can therefore be confident:
1. If you are selling - organise to private inspection of a property for the for the purpose of a private inspection regarding the
sale/purchase of a residential property; and
2. If you are a buying - travel to private inspection of a property for the for the purpose of a private inspection regarding the
sale/purchase of a residential property; and
3. Move out of your current home and move into a property that will be your new home.

19/08/2020

Want to know more about the Homebuilder Grant the Government recently introduced? Then head over to our Blog for an easy to understand run down of all the things you need and want to know about the HomeBuilder Grant.

What is the HomeBuilder Grant

21/07/2020

Areté Legal is a mostly digital law firm, meaning we can hold virtual meetings at times that suit you from the comfort of your home or office to save you time. We also offer electronic signing of documents and Verification of Identity services for your convenience. If a face to face, in person meeting is preferred this is also welcomed - Areté Legal will work with you to achieve whatever method bests suits your needs. Contact Areté Legal today to find out how we can assist you.

https://aretelegal.com.au/contact