by Tiffany Mechkaroff | Nov 17, 2020 | Estate Planning & Wealth Protection
A general misconception is that if you are a beneficiary of a trust, you automatically have a right to trust information. A recent decision in the Supreme Court of Victoria Mantovani v Vanta Pty Ltd may have broadened a trustees’ duty to provide trust documents. The...
by Tiffany Mechkaroff | Sep 14, 2020 | Estate Planning & Wealth Protection, Private Wealth
In 2015/2016 it was recorded that there were nearly 850,000 trusts used in Australia holding more than $3 trillion worth of assets. But, how many people really understand trusts, and the obligations that go with them. Twigg v Twigg (No 4); Lambert v Twigg Investments...
by Tiffany Mechkaroff | Jul 28, 2020 | Estate Planning & Wealth Protection
A general misconception is that if you are a Beneficiary of a Trust, you automatically have a right to information about the Trust. However, this is not always the case. The historical approach – a proprietary right If we think about the basics of Trust law, a...
by Tiffany Mechkaroff | Jun 26, 2020 | Estate Planning & Wealth Protection, Private Wealth
Every estate planning conversation includes a discussion about Testamentary Trusts. They can assist with asset protection and management, and taxation efficiency. However, recent legislative changes in this space means Testamentary Trusts don’t have all of the same...
by Tiffany Mechkaroff | Jun 15, 2020 | Estate Planning & Wealth Protection, Private Wealth
Despite superannuation funds often comprising significant assets, many are unaware that it is not automatically included as part of an estate’s assets and may not be distributed in accordance with a person’s Will. You can control who receives the benefit of your...
by Tiffany Mechkaroff | May 13, 2020 | Estate Planning & Wealth Protection
The COVID-19 Omnibus (Emergency Measures) Bill 2020 passed in April 2020 foreshadowed the electronic signing of estate planning documents such as Wills and Powers of Attorney pursuant to regulations to be finalised. On 12 May 2020, Victoria passed the Regulations...
by Tiffany Mechkaroff | Apr 19, 2020 | Estate Planning & Wealth Protection, Structured Finance and Investment
The COVID-19 crisis is far from over. However, the gradual easing of lockdown restrictions now appears likely, so businesses can start to plan for the future and for the opportunities that it will hold. As part of the recovery process, businesses may need to consider...
by Tiffany Mechkaroff | Apr 12, 2020 | Estate Planning & Wealth Protection
The new Guardianship and Administration Act 2019 (the Act) passed through the Victorian parliament in May 2019 and received royal assent on 4 July 2019. It commenced on 1 March 2020. Under the new legislation, VCAT has retained its powers in relation to making...
by Tiffany Mechkaroff | Feb 11, 2020 | Estate Planning & Wealth Protection, Private Wealth, Property Development, Property Law
Is your family trust purchasing residential property in Victoria? From 1 March 2020 changes to Victoria’s Foreign Purchaser Additional Duty (FPAD) will have far reaching implications. FPAD is an 8% duty payable in addition to stamp duty on all residential properties...
by wunwabbit | Aug 21, 2018 | Estate Planning & Wealth Protection, Private Wealth
There has been recent changes in Victoria concerning Enduring Powers of Attorney (Medical Treatment) (Medical EPA), which took effect on 12 March 2018. Some important matters to note are: Any existing Medical EPA’s in place before 12 March are still valid; From 12...
by wunwabbit | Aug 21, 2018 | Estate Planning & Wealth Protection, Private Wealth
Are you a beneficiary of a Will with a professional acting as executor? Or are you a professional acting as an executor? Many testators appoint professionals such as lawyers or accountants to be executors under their Wills. Usually, these professionals either charge a...
by wunwabbit | Aug 21, 2018 | Estate Planning & Wealth Protection, Private Wealth
Cryptocurrency, such as Bitcoin and Ethereum, is becoming a lucrative asset. As the value of some cryptocurrency keeps skyrocketing, this creates a number of issues, especially with your estate planning. What do you need to consider with your estate planning when you...