One of the many risks facing purchasers of real estate is the possibility that building works at a property (for example – a renovation or construction of a shed/garage) have been performed illegally without a building permit from the responsible authority (Council). Although it is an offence for a property owner to perform building works […]

Whyte Just & Moore are pleased to introduce one of our new up and coming lawyers- Georgia Martin. Georgia graduated from Deakin University with a double degree in Law and Arts (Psychology). Georgia was admitted to the Supreme Court of Victoria in June 2017 before joining WJM in September 2018. Prior to WJM Georgia worked […]

From time to time we are asked the question, what happens to your social media accounts when you die? With more and more of us having Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Linkedin or other social media accounts, this question has become increasingly relevant in recent years. Facebook has recently changed its policy on the process it follows […]

Many people will have heard of the significant changes which have occurred with respect to the way we are now required to conduct property transactions. If you’ve bought or sold property this year, chances are you may have encountered some of these changes. Specifically, from 1 October 2018, property transactions are now conducted via an […]

The Medical Treatment Planning and Decisions Act 2016 commenced in Victoria on 12 March 2018. The new Act specifies who has the legal authority to make medical treatment decisions if you are unable to make those decisions yourself. The Act allows you to appoint a Medical Treatment Decision Maker. This document enables you to choose […]

In Victoria, eligible pensioners are entitled to a one-off stamp duty concession or exemption when they purchase a new or established property valued up to $750,000 to occupy as their principal place of residence. To be eligible to obtain a stamp duty concession or exemption, pensioners must: * Hold a relevant concession card by the […]

It may come as a surprise to many people that superannuation and your related death benefits do not automatically form part of your estate and are therefore not automatically subject to the terms of your Will. A recent Federal Court decision in Stock (as Executor of the Will of Mandie, Deceased) v N.M. Superannuation Proprietary […]

When lending money to finance the purchase of property (real estate), a bank or lending institution will secure its position by registering a mortgage over the relevant property. The mortgage is registered on the Title to the property and the bank or lending institution retains control of the Title until the mortgage is formally discharged. […]

A recent High Court case of Thorne v Kennedy has again brought the profile of family law financial agreements into light and not necessarily for the better. This was a case about a couple who entered into two financial agreements, intending to set out what would happen if the marriage broke down. The Court determined […]

New laws have passed which may require your organisation to notify its clients and the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (the Commissioner) if personal information held by it has been accessed without authority (for example by hacking) or has been disclosed without authority (for example published on the internet). These laws came into effect […]