In life and in death – Blended Families and Estate Planning
In life and in death, blended families need to agree on the eventual financial outcome and ensure that actions under an Enduring Power of Attorney align with the Will Smith v…
Would you trust one person to share your estate?
Bruce Forsyth, British television presenter and entertainer, passed away recently at the age of 89 years. According to media reports, he left an estate worth 17 million pounds to his…
Mental Health and the Law
The Mental Health Act 2007 (NSW) The Mental Health Act 2007 (NSW) (the Act) is the legislation that governs the treatment of people with mental illness in NSW hospitals and…
When things go wrong: Elder Abuse / Residential Care Issues
What is elder abuse? Elder abuse is any physical, sexual, verbal, psychological, or financial abuse perpetrated against an older adult. Elder abuse is most often commited by caretakers, whether they…
Wills and Estates
Who’s going to inherit your estate after you die? Let’s be honest, dying isn’t something you’re especially keen to think about. But whether you like it or not, eventually someone…
Can a step-parent still spend time with their step-children after a relationship breakdown?
Section 4 of the Family Law Act 1975 (Cth) defines a step-parent as a person who: Is not a parent of the child; Is, or has been, married to or…
New research shows what’s needed to improve home care packages for older Australians
New Australian Government commissioned research by Dr Sarah Russell, Kristy Siostrom, Iain Edwards and Velandai Srikanth shows tighter regulation of providers of home care packages is one of a number…
What is the effect of marriage, separation and divorce on an existing Will?
How does marriage impact my Will? The answer to this question depends on the date of the marriage, as a result of a change in the law on 1 March…
Aged Care Home Death | Our Client’s Story
When our clients' 87-year-old mother was admitted to an aged care home in the Hunter region, they had no idea that in just four short months she would suffer injury…
Your Guide to Pets and the Law
Australians love their pets. And Catherine Henry Lawyers is a pet friendly law firm. Catherine Henry’s dog, Billie (pictured), can often be found helping around the office. So, we thought we’d…