Ferraro & Singh Lawyers

13/08/2026

⚖️ If you win your court case, will the other side pay your legal costs?

The short answer is: possibly—but usually not your entire legal bill.

In Victoria, the general rule is that the unsuccessful party may be ordered to contribute towards the successful party’s legal costs. However, costs remain at the Court’s discretion, and the amount recovered is often only a portion of the actual fees incurred.

Our latest article explains:

▪️ How costs orders work
▪️ The difference between solicitor–client and party–party costs
▪️ When indemnity costs may be awarded
▪️ How costs can be addressed in settlement negotiations
▪️ Why the risks and commercial realities should be considered before commencing proceedings

Read the full article:
https://ferraro.com.au/recover-legal-costs-if-you-win/

If you are considering legal proceedings—or have been served with court documents—contact Ferraro & Singh Lawyers for advice tailored to your circumstances.

*This post contains general information only and does not constitute legal advice.*

If you win a court case, can you recover your legal fees? Victorian lawyer Nanki Singh (Kiegaldie) explains costs orders and what may be recoverable.

29/07/2026

If you're a parent, you've probably spent years planning for your children's future.

But have you planned for the one thing you hope never happens?

A Will isn't just about deciding who gets your assets. It's about making sure your children are cared for by the people you trust, their inheritance is protected and your wishes are clearly set out.

In our latest article, we've shared five important things every parent should think about when preparing their Will—from choosing a guardian to setting up a testamentary trust and planning for the unexpected.

It's not always an easy conversation to have, but it's one of the most important gifts you can leave your family.

Take a few minutes to have a read. If you have any questions about estate planning or would like to put a Will in place, we're always happy to help.

❤️ Because protecting your family starts long before they need it.

As parents, we spend years planning for our children’s future. We make decisions about their education, health, finances and wellbeing every day. Yet one of the most important decisions we can make for them is often the one that gets put off.   If you have children, your will is much more than a ...

15/07/2026

🏡 Helping a family member financially? Make sure it's documented.

Many parents and grandparents help their children or grandchildren with things like:

✔️ A first home deposit
✔️ Buying a car
✔️ Starting a business
✔️ Financial support during difficult times

While these arrangements are usually made out of love and trust, failing to record whether the money is a loan or a gift can create serious problems later.

If relationships break down, someone becomes bankrupt or a family member passes away, disputes can arise about what was originally intended.

A simple written agreement can help protect everyone involved and avoid unnecessary conflict.

Our latest article explains:

• The difference between a loan and a gift
• Why the distinction matters
• How courts assess these arrangements
• How proper documentation can protect your family

You can read more on our website now: https://ferraro.com.au/loan-or-gift/

If you're considering lending money to a family member, or you're unsure how a previous arrangement should be documented, we'd be happy to help.

📞 Contact Ferraro & Singh Lawyers to discuss your circumstances.

With the cost of living continuing to place pressure on Australian families and property prices remaining high, it has become increasingly common for parents and other family members to provide financial assistance to loved ones. Whether it’s helping with a first home deposit, purchasing a car, fu...

02/07/2026

Important Changes to Australia's AML/CTF Laws – Effective 1 July 2026

Australia's Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing (AML/CTF) regime has expanded, bringing new compliance obligations for many legal professionals, accountants, conveyancers, real estate agents and other designated service providers.

These reforms are designed to strengthen Australia's response to financial crime and require businesses to implement robust risk management, customer due diligence, ongoing monitoring and reporting processes.

If your business provides designated services, now is the time to ensure your compliance framework is up to date.

At Ferraro & Singh Lawyers, we are committed to keeping our clients and professional networks informed of significant legal and regulatory developments.

Read our latest article to learn more about what has changed and how these reforms may affect you.

https://ferraro.com.au/changes-to-aml-ctf/

Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing (AML/CTF) contains the statutory laws, regulations, and procedures designed to prevent illicit funds from being integrated into the legitimate financial system.   In Australia, AUSTRAC operates as both the primary regulator and the financial int...

18/06/2026

🚨 **Is Your Former Spouse Refusing to Provide Financial Disclosure?**

One of the most common tactics we see in family law property disputes is a party refusing to provide bank statements, tax returns, superannuation records, or details of assets and liabilities.

If this is happening to you, it is important to know that you do not have to simply accept delays, excuses, or missing information.

The Family Court has significant powers to compel disclosure, draw adverse inferences against a non-compliant party, and make costs orders in appropriate cases.

At Ferraro & Singh Lawyers, we regularly assist clients dealing with:
✔ Former spouses who refuse to provide financial documents
✔ Concerns about hidden assets or undisclosed income
✔ Delays in property settlement negotiations
✔ Court applications to obtain financial disclosure

If you are unsure whether you have received full financial disclosure, or if your property settlement has stalled because the other party is not cooperating, obtaining legal advice early can make a significant difference to the outcome.

Read our latest article to learn more about your rights and the options available to you via this link: https://ferraro.com.au/what-happens-if-my-former-spouse-refuses-to-provide-financial-disclosure/

📞 Need advice about your property settlement? Contact Ferraro & Singh Lawyers to discuss your situation with our family law team.

Learn what happens when a former spouse refuses to provide financial disclosure during a property settlement. Understand your rights and the Court's powers under Australian family law.

03/06/2026

Buying or selling property? New compliance checks are coming.

From 1 July 2026, Australia’s AML/CTF laws are expected to expand into the property industry.

This means lawyers and conveyancers may need to ask purchasers and sellers for additional information during their transaction.

You may be asked to provide things like:

• ID documents
• company, trust or SMSF documents
• authority documents
• details about beneficial ownership
• information about the source of funds in some cases

These changes are designed to help prevent property transactions being used for money laundering.

To help avoid delays, it is important to provide requested documents as early as possible and respond promptly to any questions from your lawyer or conveyancer.

Nagisa, our superstar conveyancer, has prepared a short article explaining what purchasers and sellers need to know about the upcoming changes. You can read more here: https://ferraro.com.au/aml-ctf-reform/

This post is general information only and should not be considered legal advice.

Australia’s Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing laws are expanding into the property industry under the “Tranche 2” reforms.   From 1 July 2026, certain businesses and professionals involved in property transactions, including lawyers and conveyancers, may become regulated b...

02/06/2026

We are so excited to share that Ferraro & Singh Lawyers has been nominated in the Sunshine Business Awards 2026/27!

As a local law firm in Melbourne’s west, we are incredibly proud to support our community and assist our clients through important moments in their lives.

We would be so grateful if you could take a moment to vote for us. Your support means so much to our team.

Vote here:
https://www.sunshinebusiness.com.au/events/sunshine-business-awards-2026-27/

Thank you to our clients, colleagues, family, friends and local community for continuing to support Ferraro & Singh Lawyers. We are truly grateful.

28/05/2026

Separation is already hard enough. The 2026 Federal Budget just made it more complex. 📉💼

For many Victorians, navigating a separation is one of life's toughest emotional and financial challenges. Now, major Budget reforms to tax, housing, and discretionary trusts are set to directly impact family law property settlements, asset valuations, and parenting arrangements.

If you are navigating a divorce or separation in Melbourne, understanding these changes is critical to protecting your future financial security.

At Ferraro & Singh Lawyers, we are already helping clients navigate the ripple effects of these new policies, including:
🔹 CGT Reforms: Altering the true value of investment property and business settlements.
🔹 Negative Gearing Changes: Impacting borrowing capacity and post-separation cash flow.
🔹 Trust Tax Updates: Affecting family business valuations and asset division.
🔹 NDIS & Housing Initiatives: Changing the landscape for parenting arrangements and property refinancing.

Don't navigate these complex changes alone. Getting strategic, compassionate legal advice early can make all the difference.

👇 Read our full breakdown of what the 2026 Federal Budget means for your family law matter:
https://ferraro.com.au/separation-is-already-hard-enough-the-2026-federal-budget-just-made-it-more-complex/

📞 Need advice tailored to your situation? Contact the team at Ferraro & Singh Lawyers today.

For many Australians, separation is already one of the most emotionally and financially difficult experiences a person can face.   Now, the 2026 Federal Budget has introduced major tax, housing and financial reforms that may directly impact divorce, family law property settlements, parenting arrang...

21/05/2026

⚖️ Navigating Victoria’s Court Hierarchy: Where does your civil dispute belong? ⚖️

If you’re facing a commercial dispute, a breach of contract, or a debt recovery issue, knowing where to initiate your claim is critical. In Victoria, civil disputes are distributed across three main tiers based largely on the complexity and monetary value of the claim:

🔹 Magistrates’ Court: Generally handles claims up to $100,000.
🔹 County Court: Has unlimited jurisdiction but typically steps in for intermediate and complex claims over $100,000.
🔹 Supreme Court: The highest court in the state, reserved for major, complex commercial disputes and high-value claims.

Filing in the wrong jurisdiction can result in costly delays and budget blowouts. Read our latest article for a clear breakdown of how the Victorian court system works and what it means for your business. 👇

If you are involved in a legal dispute in Victoria and have been unsuccessful in resolving the matter through negotiation, it may be necessary to commence court proceedings. When this occurs,   one of the first questions to consider is which court the matter should be filed in.   In Victoria there...

12/05/2026

Being appointed executor of a Will does not mean you are forced to accept the role.

Many people are surprised to learn that an executor can formally step aside before taking on the administration of the estate. This is known as renunciation.

Our latest article explains:
✔ what renunciation means;
✔ when it can occur;
✔ what happens to the estate afterwards; and
✔ why getting legal advice early is important.

If you have been named as executor and are feeling overwhelmed or uncertain, you are not alone.

Read more here:

When preparing a will, most people carefully choose someone they trust to act as their executor. An executor is responsible for administering the estate, obtaining probate, paying debts and ultimately distributing assets to beneficiaries.   However, many people are surprised to learn that an appoin...