by Tiffany Mechkaroff | Feb 16, 2022 | Family Law
When it comes to family law issues, it seems that almost everyone has a personal anecdote or piece of advice to share. While given with good intentions, this information can often lead to misconceptions about family law generally, a person’s entitlements, the costs...
by Tiffany Mechkaroff | Jan 19, 2022 | Family Law
There has been plenty of commentary and speculation about casualties of Covid – “The Great Resignation” and then “The Great Separation” – relationship breakdowns triggered by the stresses imposed by Covid, whether it be the lockdowns, financial stress, home...
by Tiffany Mechkaroff | Oct 18, 2021 | Family Law
Covid lockdowns have impacted all of our lives in ways we could never have imagined, bringing people to question what is important in their lives, what they want for their future, and make some “life is too short” type big decisions. This soul-searching, and having...
by Tiffany Mechkaroff | Sep 14, 2021 | Family Law
You can run but you can’t hide! With new legislation enabling parties to obtain details of their former partner’s superannuation entitlements, superannuation can no longer be hidden from former spouses during family settlements. The reality is that people often...
by Tiffany Mechkaroff | Aug 30, 2021 | Family Law
Often in family breakdowns, particularly where a husband and wife are part of a family business, accountants, commercial lawyers and sometimes financial planners, will be involved. As part of this involvement, these professionals are usually one of the first to become...
by Tiffany Mechkaroff | Aug 15, 2021 | Family Law
When separating, should you formalise a property settlement? What are the risks if you don’t? Parties may agree, either by themselves, or with the assistance of other professionals, including accountants, financial advisers or commercial or property lawyers,...
by Tiffany Mechkaroff | Jul 12, 2021 | Estate Planning & Wealth Protection, Family Law
Continuing the Blended Families Series, another asset protection method that is often overlooked is the use of superannuation death benefits and life insurance. Superannuation and life insurance does not automatically form part of a person’s estate to be dealt by...
by Tiffany Mechkaroff | Jul 7, 2021 | Estate Planning & Wealth Protection, Family Law
Continuing the Blended Families Series, another way assets can be protected is through the use of trusts. Family discretionary trusts have become a popular vehicle to protect assets and stream family income to benefit from different tax margins of each of the family...
by Tiffany Mechkaroff | Jun 22, 2021 | Estate Planning & Wealth Protection, Family Law
Continuing the Blended Families Series, another way to protect your assets in blended families is the use of life interests. A life interest provides limited rights with respect of a property to a beneficiary for the duration of their life without giving away complete...
by Tiffany Mechkaroff | Jun 21, 2021 | Family Law
Not every separated couple engages family lawyers. There are many reasons for this, but primarily this includes: The separated couple are amicable, and “lawyering up” sends a message almost akin to a declaration of war; The parties have other professional advisers to...
by Tiffany Mechkaroff | Jun 7, 2021 | Estate Planning & Wealth Protection, Family Law
There are 6 million families in Australia[1]. Of these families: 90% with children consist of at least one child who is the natural or adopted child of both partners in the couple. 6% are step-families. That is, where one person is a step-child but there is no child...
by Tiffany Mechkaroff | May 7, 2021 | Family Law
Melbourne law firm Kalus Kenny Intelex is expanding its services to include Family Law with the appointment of Josephine Sergi. Josephine is joining KKI to head-up a new Family Law practice where she will combine her extensive family law experience with the talented...
