Frequently Asked Questions

Getting started is simple. First, contact us by filling out our online enquiry form, sending an email, or calling us directly. We will assess your matter and discuss how we can assist. If you decide to proceed, we will provide a cost agreement outlining our services. Once accepted, we will guide you through the next steps and begin work on your matter.

We offer both in-person and virtual consultations. You can meet with us by appointment at our office in Bankstown. For virtual consultations, we offer phone or video call appointments, allowing you to connect with us from anywhere.

Yes, we offer initial consultations to discuss your situation and provide general legal guidance. This helps you understand your options before making a decision. If you choose to proceed, we will outline the next steps and formalise our engagement.

If your matter is urgent, contact us as soon as possible. We will assess the urgency of your situation and prioritise it accordingly. If we can assist within the required timeframe, we will outline the next steps and proceed efficiently. If additional support is needed, we can also advise on alternative options.

The cost of your legal matter depends on its complexity and the type of service required. Some matters are charged at a fixed fee, while others are billed at an hourly rate. Before any work begins, we will provide a clear cost agreement outlining all fees, so you know exactly what to expect.

Disbursements are out-of-pocket expenses we pay to third parties as part of your legal matter. These may include court filing fees, property searches, and other necessary costs. We will always inform you of any disbursements in advance so there are no surprises.

No, we do not have hidden costs. We are fully transparent about our fees, and if any additional expenses—such as disbursements or unforeseen costs—arise during your matter, we will inform you in advance and provide a clear breakdown before proceeding.

Our invoices are usually issued upon completion of your matter and are payable within 7 days. If a deposit or interim invoice is required during the course of your matter, we will inform you in advance.

Exchange is the stage where the buyer and seller sign and swap contracts, making the agreement legally binding. At this point, the buyer typically pays a deposit, and both parties are committed to the contract terms. Once exchange occurs, the seller cannot accept other offers, and the buyer secures the property.

In NSW, the cooling-off period is a 5-business-day timeframe after exchanging contracts that allows buyers to withdraw from a purchase. A 0.25% deposit is usually paid at exchange, with the balance (often 10%) due before the cooling-off period ends. If the buyer decides not to proceed within this period, they can terminate the contract but forfeit the 0.25% deposit. This period does not apply to auction purchases or when a Section 66W certificate is provided.

A 10% deposit is standard, but a 5% deposit may be accepted if the seller agrees. Before exchange, we review the contract and request amendments—such as a reduced deposit, modified settlement date, or other changes—to ensure the contract aligns with your needs and protects your interests.

In NSW, stamp duty must be paid by the earlier of settlement or 3 months after signing the contract. For off-the-plan purchases intended as a primary residence, eligible buyers may defer payment until the earlier of 15 months after signing or settlement (if it occurs sooner). This deferral does not apply to vacant land, which follows the standard 3-month rule.

Under the NSW First Home Buyer Assistance Scheme, first-home buyers may receive a full or partial stamp duty exemption depending on the purchase price. Full exemption may apply to homes up to $800,000, and a concession may apply between $800,000 and $1,000,000. Eligibility criteria, including residency requirements, must be met. Different rules apply to vacant land. We can help determine your eligibility and guide you through the process.

Settlement is the final stage in a property transaction, where ownership is formally transferred from the seller to the buyer. The buyer pays the balance of the purchase price, and all necessary legal documents are lodged. We coordinate with lenders, solicitors, and settlement agents to ensure a smooth and timely process for both buyers and sellers.

Dying without a valid will (intestate) means your assets will be distributed according to the government’s predetermined formula (the Law of Intestacy). This may not reflect your personal wishes and can lead to undesired outcomes. Typically, assets go to your closest living relatives in a set order, starting with your spouse and children.

Review and update your will every few years or whenever significant life events occur (e.g., marriage, divorce, children, acquiring major assets, or deaths in the family) to ensure it accurately reflects your current wishes and minimises future disputes.

Probate is legal authorisation from the Supreme Court confirming a will’s validity and granting the executor power to manage and distribute the estate. Without it, the executor cannot access certain assets (e.g., bank accounts, property). Once granted, they can settle liabilities and distribute assets per the will.

A Power of Attorney permits someone to manage your financial and legal affairs (e.g., paying bills, handling property). An Enduring Guardian makes personal, health, and lifestyle decisions if you lose capacity. Many people appoint both to comprehensively cover all aspects of their affairs.

In NSW, a Power of Attorney must be registered with NSW Land Registry Services only if it's used for real estate transactions. For other financial or legal matters, registration is not required.

A commercial lease is a legally binding contract that can have long-term financial and operational consequences. Before signing, carefully consider key terms such as rent, lease duration, renewal options, outgoings, repair and maintenance obligations, permitted use, and fit-out responsibilities. It's also important to review clauses around exclusivity, rent increases, assignment/subleasing, and termination rights. We can review and negotiate the lease to ensure the terms are fair, commercially appropriate, and aligned with your business needs.

Outgoings are the costs associated with operating and maintaining the property, such as council rates, water rates, insurance, strata levies, and repairs to common areas. In most commercial leases, tenants are required to contribute to some or all outgoings in addition to rent. The specific outgoings and how they are calculated should be clearly set out in the lease. We can review the lease to clarify your obligations and ensure you're not agreeing to unexpected or unreasonable expenses.

If your website collects personal information (e.g. names, emails, or payment details), a privacy policy is not only essential but it’s a legal requirement under the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) if your business meets certain thresholds or handles sensitive data. It should explain what data you collect, how it's used, stored, and shared, and give users information about their rights.

Website terms and conditions set out the legal framework between your business and anyone using your site or engaging your services. They typically address how your services or products are offered, the rules around payment, refunds or cancellations, and your responsibilities as a business. They also include important protections, such as limiting your liability, setting out intellectual property rights, and clarifying how disputes will be handled. While every business is different, well-drafted terms provide clarity, set expectations, and help protect you legally if issues arise.

In NSW, a commercial lease must be registered with NSW Land Registry Services if the lease term (including any options to renew) exceeds three years. Registration gives legal protection to the tenant’s interest in the property, especially if the property is sold or transferred.

A disclaimer limits your liability, while terms of use set rules for how users interact with your site. Most websites need both.

No. Every business has its own structure, services, risks, and legal obligations. Copying someone else’s terms and conditions can leave you exposed to legal gaps, non-compliance, and even copyright infringement. It’s important to have documents that are tailored to your specific business and drafted with the correct legal framework in mind.

Yes — we work with clients across NSW and beyond. Many of our business law services can be delivered 100% online.

If you believe you’ve been unfairly dismissed, you may lodge a claim with the Fair Work Commission within 21 days of dismissal. We can assess your situation and advise on the best approach to seek redress.

Employees receive benefits like paid leave and superannuation, whereas contractors manage their own tax, super, and insurance. Misclassifying employees as contractors can result in legal or financial penalties. We can help determine the correct classification.

An employer may raise a jurisdictional objection if they believe an employee is not legally entitled to bring a claim (e.g., missing the minimum employment period, earning above the high-income threshold, or lodging outside the time limit).

Under the Fair Work Act, redundancy is genuine if (1) the role is no longer needed due to business changes, (2) consultation obligations are met (under an award or enterprise agreement), and (3) redeployment within the business or its entities is not possible. If these criteria aren’t met, an employee may have grounds for an unfair dismissal claim.

If you suspect underpayment, check your award, agreement, or contract to confirm correct pay rates and entitlements. First, raise the issue with your employer. If unresolved, you can lodge a claim with the Fair Work Ombudsman or pursue legal action to recover unpaid amounts.