Mental Health and Capacity

October is Mental Health Month and 10 October 2019 is world Mental Health Day.

More than 1 in 5 Australians are affected by mental illness, and there are a range of legal issues that can arise for sufferers and their family and supporters. One of the most critical legal issues when considering mental health is that of ‘capacity’ – the circumstances in which a person can make decisions for themselves, and the circumstances in which they can delegate these decisions.

Estate Planning and Coronavirus

With the rapidly escalating responses to the coronavirus pandemic, it is more important than ever to ensure that you have an appropriate estate plan in place – and in particular a valid enduring power of attorney and/or advance health directive, in order to ensure that you (or the people that you choose) can make decisions about personal and health care.

Estate Planning and your pets

We were pleased to be joined today by a new team member, ‘Bear’ the office labrador. While Bear is not necessarily the most productive staff member at Ballantyne Law Group, he is the most popular. Bear’s visit got us thinking about the importance of pets in our lives, and how through proper estate planning we can ensure that they are looked after when we die.

Estate Proceeds Trusts

The benefits of wills incorporating testamentary trusts are reasonably well known within the estate planning community, and awareness of them is becoming more wide-spread generally. Estate Proceeds Trusts are less well known.

When, why and how lawyers work with accountants

Solicitor and Financial Planner working with client

You might be surprised to learn just how closely lawyers and accountants work together. Ballantyne Law Group’s services in commercial law, property law and estate planning regularly require collaboration with accountants to deliver best results for our clients.

Three things you need to know about binding nominations

When it comes to the distribution of superannuation benefits after your death, a binding nomination is one of the best options – as long as proper measures are in place. Ballantyne Law Group’s Gold Coast estate planning lawyers can help you with this important process.

What happens if I die without a will?

In 2018 an Australian research organisation conducted a survey that found more than half of Australian adults – almost 10 million people – don’t have a will.

While Queensland was the state with best take up, the survey found only 50% of adults here have made a will.

The survey did not address how many of the people who have wills may have wills that are incomplete or ineffective.

Most of us are aware that we should have an appropriate will in place to deal with out estate after we die, but for a variety of reasons – most commonly that they simply haven’t got around to it yet – people are often reluctant to undertake this important process.

It is important to understand what happens if someone dies without a will, and why it important that if you make a will, it is prepared correctly and effectively.

How did COVID-19 affect estate planning?

commercial lawyer QLD explains what happens when a business owner get divorced.

As the global pandemic continues to impact our lives, economy and health system, it is more important than ever to have an estate plan in place. At Ballantyne Law Group, our estate planning team can help you create an estate plan or review and amend an existing one.