Do you have the mental capacity to sign a Power of Attorney?

Were you of sound mind when you signed your Power of Attorney? In the intricate web of Australian law, few legal matters carry as much significance as the capacity to create enduring powers of attorney (EPOAs) and the capacity to revoke them. These legal instruments...

Self Managed Superannuation Fund Guide

Written by Barbara Smith AM, Dr Brett Davies, Dr Ed Koken I am honoured to have joined forces with well-known and award-winning authors Barbara Smith AM and Dr Ed Koken to produce the fully revised book: Self Managed Superannuation Fund Guide. This practical, plain...

Mental capacity when signing a Will and other legal documents

  Am I sound mind enough to sign a legal document or a Will? Do I have the mental capacity to sign a legal document? Is it assumed I am of sound mind when signing a Will? Yes. There is a presumption of sanity. It applies to all deeds and gifts signed by you while...

What happens when a director dies? Company succession planning

      Who owns my company at death? What happens when a director dies? At death, your shares in a company go into your Will. Your shares are part of your deceased assets. Your executor in your Will looks after the shares and the company. The executor does this in the...

Are funeral wishes in a Will legally binding?

  Are funeral wishes in a Will legally binding? The funeral wishes in your Will are not legally binding. Your executor is not required to follow them. Do not clutter your Will with directions for your funeral and remains. Your Will has to take a journey. It goes to...

Curse of the Post Office Will

  The ‘Curse’ of the Homemade Will Master Sanderson, Rogers v Rogers Young [2016] WASC 208 stated: “On numerous occasions when dealing with so-called homemade wills, I have observed they are a curse.   Homemade wills which utilise what is...

What happens to my POA when I divorce?

Is a POA revoked when you separate or divorce? Divorce and marriage generally ends your Will. However, separation does not affect an existing Enduring or Lifestyle POA. Does the Power of Attorney appoint your ex-spouse as your attorney? While QLD and the ACT have...