https://novuslawgroup.com.au/blog daily 0.75 2021-04-01 https://novuslawgroup.com.au/blog/filing-choose monthly 0.5 2021-04-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec6048df5154a015af5abbc/1617243817264-1W5T1IJN1WPSRB3JMD3L/Insta+sort+your+filing+-+April+theme+-+calendar+system.jpg Blog - Choose a system - Physical or digital? You can have a physical or digital system. The advantage of a digital system is that assuming you have a smartphone you will have your calendar with you all the time, which makes it more likely that you will use it, and it is easy to set up annual reminders. The primary disadvantage of a digital system is that it is hard to .get any sort of overview of what is happening, particularly if you are looking at it on a phone, and so you may find a physical system more valuable and therefore use it more often. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec6048df5154a015af5abbc/1617242971807-MBKUDDNFL3ZJYYXUTBBF/List.jpg Blog - Choose a system - Want to join in? Want to receive a daily email with a five-minute task, so that you can set up your filing system and perpetual calendar in April? You can join our email list using the form below. If you want to join our Facebook group you can join here, or if it is time for you to update your Estate Plan then you can email Janis at janis@novuslawgroup.com.au to get started. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec6048df5154a015af5abbc/1617240279515-N71J7USMWI68IU846ZA3/Sort+your+filing+-+April+theme.jpg Blog - Choose a system https://novuslawgroup.com.au/blog/filing monthly 0.5 2021-04-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec6048df5154a015af5abbc/1617240279515-N71J7USMWI68IU846ZA3/Sort+your+filing+-+April+theme.jpg Blog - Sort your filing https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec6048df5154a015af5abbc/1617242971807-MBKUDDNFL3ZJYYXUTBBF/List.jpg Blog - Sort your filing - Want to join in? Want to receive a daily email with a five-minute task, so that you can set up your filing system and perpetual calendar in April? You can join our email list using the form below. If you want to join our Facebook group you can join here, or if it is time for you to update your Estate Plan then you can email Janis at janis@novuslawgroup.com.au to get started. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec6048df5154a015af5abbc/1617241171797-R8DNECM83VYQNRBSNBRC/Sort+your+filing+-+April+theme+-+physical+or+digital.png Blog - Sort your filing - Physical or digital? You can have a physical or digital system. The advantage of a digital system is it is harder to lose, and it is easier to share with people who should have access to your information. However, some people don’t want a digital system, so I will some advantages and disadvantages of both systems here. https://novuslawgroup.com.au/blog/guardian-why monthly 0.5 2021-03-31 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec6048df5154a015af5abbc/1616063255374-XTBBNCE1P7F3FUFISVMF/Book+Facebook+cover.jpg Blog - But I already know who the guardian will be? Would you like to join my free Facebook group where we are discussing all of this, and I have provided a checklist to help you to work through all of the decisions yourself. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec6048df5154a015af5abbc/1617163131129-B90PFVE4MOPTQZ0PBBH9/why.jpg Blog - But I already know who the guardian will be? - These topics are important We looked at these topics because they are relevant to parenting, and life in general. These are all things that are relevant to you and your parenting journey now, and you could be doing something about that now. https://novuslawgroup.com.au/blog/guardian-willing monthly 0.5 2021-03-31 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec6048df5154a015af5abbc/1616063255374-XTBBNCE1P7F3FUFISVMF/Book+Facebook+cover.jpg Blog - Are they willing? Would you like to join my free Facebook group where we are discussing all of this, and I have provided a checklist to help you to work through all of the decisions yourself. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec6048df5154a015af5abbc/1617069898064-BW36MR69VDDS784TXY4X/Willing.jpg Blog - Are they willing? You might be surprised to know that I do get asked 'Do I have to ask them'? Usually, I get this question about Executors but I do also get it about Guardians from time to time. Absolutely you should ask them, you need to have a real conversation about whether they are willing. Don’t assume that being asked to be a guardian is some blessing that people will happily take upon themselves. https://novuslawgroup.com.au/blog/guardian-how-many monthly 0.5 2021-03-30 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec6048df5154a015af5abbc/1616063255374-XTBBNCE1P7F3FUFISVMF/Book+Facebook+cover.jpg Blog - How many? Would you like to join my free Facebook group where we are discussing all of this, and I have provided a checklist to help you to work through all of the decisions yourself. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec6048df5154a015af5abbc/1617067748703-B8J5O0HPX5Y3MRBRW192/Different.jpg Blog - How many? There are really two questions here - (1) should I appoint two people jointly? (2) should I appoint a back up? In short, the answers maybe, and definitely, yes. https://novuslawgroup.com.au/blog/guardian-help monthly 0.5 2021-03-31 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec6048df5154a015af5abbc/1616728478265-0SL92SZ9COTB0HAONA8T/Different.jpg Blog - Asking for help This might be one of the most important questions in this guide, will these potential guardians ask for help? Whether that is within their own network, or within the kids’ existing network, will they ask for help? Will they have access to help? I mean it takes a village, right, so will they ask for help? Have they tended, in the past, to take everything on themselves and get a bit buried and lost? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec6048df5154a015af5abbc/1617179180777-5V7OTYKIJXI4FG6U5UN5/why.jpg Blog - Asking for help - But I have already chosen the guardian? Great, you should still think through this topic. Asking for help is a problem for most people, and actually talking through these issues is helpful to both of you. If you encourage the guardian to do this, you are also encouraging yourself to do this, and you are both better off no matter what happens in the future. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec6048df5154a015af5abbc/1616063255374-XTBBNCE1P7F3FUFISVMF/Book+Facebook+cover.jpg Blog - Asking for help Would you like to join my free Facebook group where we are discussing all of this, and I have provided a checklist to help you to work through all of the decisions yourself. https://novuslawgroup.com.au/blog/bitesized-lifeadmin-selfies monthly 0.5 2021-03-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec6048df5154a015af5abbc/1616626843894-0O9AXE44TPFPHXWT0WVL/Copy+of+bite+sized+life+admin.jpg Blog - Bite sized life admin - selfies - Photos of you People who love you like having photos of you, and knowing things about you. Okay, not a revolutionary statement, but we need to be reminded. Have you ever tried to find a photo of your parents or grandparents, just them? Have you ever been a funeral and suddenly learned things about the deceased person, someone who was close to you, that you never knew? Things you wish you knew when they were alive? People who love you want photos of you and they want to know you, they want to know your stories. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec6048df5154a015af5abbc/1615251119273-1N0PJD9IXG6NCSWFDAH6/Guardian+-+email.png Blog - Bite sized life admin - selfies - Email to your children? If you are new to my #bitesizedlifeadmin posts then you missed my post about setting up an email account for your children. You can click on the button below to read all of it. In short, you should set up an email account for your child, in their full name, with a great password. You can then email them everyday information, the sort of information that can get forgotten and will be valuable later in life, but it is also the sort of information that their carers would need if anything ever happened to you. Also, it means your kids have an email account reserved for them with a professional name. https://novuslawgroup.com.au/blog/can-a-tenant-do-emergency-repairs monthly 0.5 2021-03-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec6048df5154a015af5abbc/1616297666641-MIW3K8TIMVQEUUWIELWE/River+Road.jpg Blog - Can a tenant do emergency repairs? https://novuslawgroup.com.au/blog/guardian-in-laws monthly 0.5 2021-03-31 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec6048df5154a015af5abbc/1617179046607-B6QU9YGHYPP9KE7418C7/why.jpg Blog - Giving your in-laws away - But I have already chosen the guardian for my children? Great, you should still think through this topic. Your in-laws are in your life and in your children’s life, even if you separate from your spouse. If you are the storyteller in the relationship then it will fall to you to remember these events, these things that the kids do with their family, and to record those stories for their benefit. That is good for the kids, and it will help you too in your ongoing dealings with the extended family. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec6048df5154a015af5abbc/1616722170536-UM2Y4JAHA848UOB1BGRW/Guardian+-+inlaws.jpg Blog - Giving your in-laws away Have you ever thought that when you choose a guardian you are giving them in-laws? Even if they are a family member they are still inheriting the other side of the family. If the potential guardian isn’t a member of either side of your family, then you are giving them two sets of in-laws. Think about how you can positively contribute to that relationship. Again they don’t have to be second best friends, and you don’t even have to invite them all around for joint dinners, but how can you speak to each of them about the other in a positive fashion? What information can you leave for either, perhaps in your letter of wishes, that will help? You can also use your child’s email account, e.g. here is a photo of you gardening with your Aunt, I have a black thumb but you love doing this with her. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec6048df5154a015af5abbc/1616063255374-XTBBNCE1P7F3FUFISVMF/Book+Facebook+cover.jpg Blog - Giving your in-laws away Would you like to join my free Facebook group where we are discussing all of this, and I have provided a checklist to help you to work through all of the decisions yourself. https://novuslawgroup.com.au/blog/bitesized-lifeadmin-crn monthly 0.5 2021-03-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec6048df5154a015af5abbc/1614644135500-TQ209XQTYUCTKBTLQY86/Passwords.png Blog - Bite sized life admin - CRN - Word of warning Please, please, please use a great and secure password on your child’s email account as well as your own. This doesn’t necessarily have to be a random string of letters and numbers, this blog post (below) steps you through the process of choosing a secure password that you will remember. But do not put a weak password on an email account that you are then going to put all of your child’s details into. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec6048df5154a015af5abbc/1616023526676-T5HSR2MAQIDHUO0NSEFJ/bite+sized+life+admin+%281%29.jpg Blog - Bite sized life admin - CRN - CRN for your child Last week we looked at creating an email account for your child. This week we are going to record the CRN. Unfortunately this number always pops up at the worst time, when you are frantically trying to do something, and yes it can pop up as an adult. If you haven’t set up your child’s email account yet then you can check out how to do that, and why, in this longer post from a fortnight ago. https://novuslawgroup.com.au/blog/guardian-different monthly 0.5 2021-03-31 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec6048df5154a015af5abbc/1616063255374-XTBBNCE1P7F3FUFISVMF/Book+Facebook+cover.jpg Blog - How different? Would you like to join my free Facebook group where we are discussing all of this, and I have provided a checklist to help you to work through all of the decisions yourself. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec6048df5154a015af5abbc/1617178958501-T53YVYORXRCMMD9Q0BD7/why.jpg Blog - How different? - But I have already chosen a guardian? Great, you should still think through this topic. We have to make a lot of choices as parents (or aunts or godparents or whenever we babysit kids), and discussing the choices we make is helpful to both of you. If you told the guardian that you would love to hear from them, to hear how they make these choices and why, then this would be encouraging for them (who doesn’t love having someone listen to them) and helpful for you too. These decisions are an ongoing thing, discussing it with someone else is helpful to you now, as well as helpful to you both if something were to happen in the future. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec6048df5154a015af5abbc/1616721678065-NN3GZF7I802SI3A7X9MP/Guardian+-+different.jpg Blog - How different? The guardian that you choose for your children will be different, because all human beings are different, but in what ways are they different? The differences might be great, pretending to be you certainly won't work, but how will those differences impact your children? Does the person you are choosing understand that you are fundamentally different? Are they capable of being flexible on certain points, that might be key to your children, can they change their approach? https://novuslawgroup.com.au/blog/guardian-time monthly 0.5 2021-03-31 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec6048df5154a015af5abbc/1616063255374-XTBBNCE1P7F3FUFISVMF/Book+Facebook+cover.jpg Blog - Do they have time? Would you like to join my free Facebook group where we are discussing all of this, and I have provided a checklist to help you to work through all of the decisions yourself. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec6048df5154a015af5abbc/1616721472421-HHOQTU4NP9X5UGY8K73Z/Guardian+-+time.jpg Blog - Do they have time? When you are choosing a guardian for your children ask yourself, honestly, do they have time? Do they already have their own children? If they do then how many would they have if they also took on your children? Do they have a family member that they have carer responsibilities for? Do they have a demanding job or a job that lacks flexibility? Would they have an established help network? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec6048df5154a015af5abbc/1617165272266-K39JTOV3AC7N9KUZ8DK5/why.jpg Blog - Do they have time? - But I have already chosen a guardian? Great, you should still think through this topic. Time management is a problem for all people in all walks of life, and actually talking through these issues is helpful to both of you. If you told the guardian that you would love to hear from them, to hear how they do their time management, then this would be encouraging for them (who doesn’t love having someone listen to them) and helpful for you too. https://novuslawgroup.com.au/blog/how-much-does-a-will-cost monthly 0.5 2021-03-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec6048df5154a015af5abbc/1615847875458-MRSE36U2XPNFUHEPG99N/Will+photos+-+shoes.jpg Blog - How much does a Will cost? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec6048df5154a015af5abbc/1615847315887-T972GAAAH36RBIYEOMXD/Will+photos.jpg Blog - How much does a Will cost? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec6048df5154a015af5abbc/1615848395685-AU7D1MDXEVWR47TVLXT8/Janis+with+the+book.JPG Blog - How much does a Will cost? - How much do you charge? If you read the Choice or Canstar article you will see there are many reasons that you shouldn’t do ‘just a Will’. I don’t do ‘just a Will’. I have a system around sorting out all of the non-legal and #lifeadmin things that need to be taken care of, as well as the legal matters. My book is $99 including GST if you want to dip your toe in the shallow end and start there, or the price to do your Estate Plan with me is between $660 or $1,310 depending on what it is that you need. https://novuslawgroup.com.au/blog/conveyancing-costs-calculator monthly 0.5 2021-03-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec6048df5154a015af5abbc/1615764450918-BJSRR436QFNMC1DQCHJA/Costs.jpg Blog - Conveyancing costs calculator - Hidden costs You don’t just need to think about removalists, there is also boxes, bubble wrap and tape, cleaners for your existing property (whether you are an owner or a renter), a skip bin, mail redirection, internet relocation, new electricity account, and probably at least one call out fee when you realise there is a problem with your electricity, plumbing, the fridge or the washing machine. Don’t budget to spend all of your money but also, include in the budget some of these other factors which do add up. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec6048df5154a015af5abbc/1615764169434-FFQB7WQP19SUIH41WD6I/Mortgage+calculator.jpg Blog - Conveyancing costs calculator - Don’t use a mortgage calculator A mortgage calculator is fine for a rough estimate but don’t do this bit yourself. Most mortgage brokers don’t charge you any money so why are you trying to cut corners here? Talk to a mortgage broker to get your real costs, because your real costs are about so much more than your interest rate. If you do want to have a preliminary look at some calculators though check out this list of calculators from The Loans Suite, and then contact them to let them figure out the rest. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec6048df5154a015af5abbc/1615764678376-NT12Z0M07HMIOA9WOCIU/Stamp+duty.jpg Blog - Conveyancing costs calculator - Stamp duty It is a big part of your budget so have a look at the stamp duty costs, and in particular when you are looking at two different properties with different prices make sure that you include the stamp duty difference in that price gap. The government has a stamp duty calculator that you can use. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec6048df5154a015af5abbc/1615764967015-EXYBJTFX94QLSZ81FAHY/Conveyancer.jpg Blog - Conveyancing costs calculator - Conveyancing fees Yes you also need to take into account the fees you will pay to your lawyer or licensed conveyancer. At Novus Law Group we do fixed fees, and that fixed fee includes disbursements. We know that you don’t want any more surprises. If you want to find out what the fees would be for your particular matter, or how we can help you, then click on the button below to book in a free call with Teresa. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec6048df5154a015af5abbc/1615765101360-UTZPYRZ3THTIBPLTEM48/Estate+planning.jpg Blog - Conveyancing costs calculator - Estate Planning What does your Will have to do with purchasing a house? Potentially a lot. For one thing there are a lot of things that you can do with your Estate Plan if you purchase a property in a company or trust name instead of in your personal name. Those things become expensive to do later because of stamp duty. If you want to know more then read our blog post about purchasing a house and your Estate Plan. https://novuslawgroup.com.au/blog/guardian-trust monthly 0.5 2021-03-31 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec6048df5154a015af5abbc/1616721131819-ZDGWRSWF254ZBKBI771M/2.png Blog - Do I trust you? - Do I trust you? No really, do you really trust the person. To quote Jada Pinkett Smith, would you ask them for what you really needed when you were at your lowest? Don't fall back on who you 'should' be able to trust, ask yourself who you really trust. Actions speak louder than words, who do you approach when you need help? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec6048df5154a015af5abbc/1617165051227-5AB6HBBNT6J2GPPXV8DZ/why.jpg Blog - Do I trust you? - But I have already chosen my guardian? It is still important for you to think through this. Does your friend who you have chosen as a guardian trust you to ask for help when they need it? Do you trust them? Have you talked to them about the importance of asking for help, and being able to ask for help? Encouraging others is good for you too, so not only are you both re-inforcing the importance of actually asking for help but you are also gaining benefits from simply encouraging each other. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec6048df5154a015af5abbc/1616063255374-XTBBNCE1P7F3FUFISVMF/Book+Facebook+cover.jpg Blog - Do I trust you? Would you like to join my free Facebook group where we are discussing all of this, and I have provided a checklist to help you to work through all of the decisions yourself. https://novuslawgroup.com.au/blog/guardian-know monthly 0.5 2021-03-31 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec6048df5154a015af5abbc/1617164638217-WCW9UCWK4ZW5LP05HUNW/why.jpg Blog - Do I know you? - But I have already chosen a guardian? Great, this topic is still important though. If you have chosen a person to be your guardian then you should know them, and they you, and honestly these days is anyone complaining that they have too many friends? Invest some time, as in spend some time with the person who you have chosen as guardian. If nothing happens to you then you and your children have the benefit of a closer relationship with someone who you know and trust. If something does happen to you then the guardian will be in a better position to help your family. Either way it is a good outcome. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec6048df5154a015af5abbc/1616063255374-XTBBNCE1P7F3FUFISVMF/Book+Facebook+cover.jpg Blog - Do I know you? Would you like to join my free Facebook group where we are discussing all of this, and I have provided a checklist to help you to work through all of the decisions yourself. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec6048df5154a015af5abbc/1616720935153-BEUSIA1K6QCKM640EXSJ/Guardian+-+know.jpg Blog - Do I know you? When it comes to choosing a guardian for your children please do not glance over this question. Really ask yourself, do I know you? Do you know me? When it comes to choosing a Guardian for your children we tend to jump straight to family, or more to the point, we tend to look at 'bloodlines'. Being related doesn't mean that they know you, and even if the chosen guardian has a different lifestyle or parenting style to you they need to understand what your child's life is like now, what you are like now, in order to help your child with the death of their parent and the transition into a new life. https://novuslawgroup.com.au/blog/bitesized-lifeadmin-emails monthly 0.5 2021-03-31 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec6048df5154a015af5abbc/1614644135500-TQ209XQTYUCTKBTLQY86/Passwords.png Blog - Bite sized life admin - email accounts - Word of warning Please, please, please use a great and secure password. This doesn’t necessarily have to be a random string of letters and numbers, this blog post (below) steps you through the process of choosing a secure password that you will remember. But do not put a weak password on an email account that you are then going to put all of your child’s details into. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec6048df5154a015af5abbc/1616021239971-HKJT67PYJ5LECBJ900FL/bite+sized+life+admin.jpg Blog - Bite sized life admin - email accounts - Email accounts for your child Last week we had a very popular post regarding email accounts for your child, why you should set one up and how to use them. In short the idea is to have an account in their full name where you send them photos with little descriptions with two main goals - record the ‘everyday’ stuff, they will naturally have photos from big events but what about everyday events? record it in a way that would be useful to anyone who was looking after your child if anything ever happened to you. https://novuslawgroup.com.au/blog/three-things monthly 0.5 2021-03-09 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec6048df5154a015af5abbc/1615251016093-UZ41BX382O067DZ96TFS/Three+things+-+photo+of+Janis.png Blog - Three things I want you to know - Three things The first one is that people want to know what you want, what you think. The second thing is that your super nomination is not permanent, you have to keep doing it. The third thing is that you have an Estate Plan already, whether or not you have documents, you have an Estate Plan. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec6048df5154a015af5abbc/1615251932424-1AXNDFMR1JY7GOGSB0T0/Update+your+superannuation.png Blog - Three things I want you to know - Your superannuation nomination isn’t permanent Your superannuation nomination either is not permanent, or it is not binding. It cannot be both. If you want it to be binding (little tip, you do) then you have to update it every three years. Don’t worry, I have given you easy instructions for updating your binding nomination. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec6048df5154a015af5abbc/1615252344205-V4N9EZLBZQ9MHWTBDCKC/You+already+have+an+Estate+Plan.png Blog - Three things I want you to know - You already have an Estate Plan Something will happen after you die, make sure it is what you want. I don’t know you, or your background, your family or your asset structure but I know that you already have an Estate Plan. Everyone does, there isn’t a vacuum that opens up and sucks up your assets, and all the junk in your house, and deals with the government departments upon your death. Make sure what you have in place is your plan, and this is definitely one of those areas where having a plan to make a plan is not enough. Keep moving towards making that plan a written reality that someone else can act upon. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec6048df5154a015af5abbc/1615251175592-5C8A8WW2BGPAL0XDCRZW/Guardian+-+thoughts.png Blog - Three things I want you to know - People want to know what you think Seriously, I have helped a lot of people with Estates, trust me when I say people want to know what you want, what you think. That doesn’t mean that they will always comply, but even if they were never going to comply they will argue about what you wanted. I watch families tie themselves in knots over what the deceased person ‘truly’ wanted, you might be surprised how many different and mutually exclusive thoughts can be assigned to the one person. As part of my Estate Planning process I help you spell that out for them, and hopefully they will do what you want and won’t argue amongst themselves. If you like you could also spell out the reasons, if you think there are going to be arguments, but even just saying what you want can be really helpful. So seriously, spell it out, they want to know. https://novuslawgroup.com.au/blog/what-you-think monthly 0.5 2021-03-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec6048df5154a015af5abbc/1616063255374-XTBBNCE1P7F3FUFISVMF/Book+Facebook+cover.jpg Blog - People want to know what you think Would you like to join my free Facebook group where we are discussing all of this, and I have provided a checklist to help you to work through all of the decisions yourself. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec6048df5154a015af5abbc/1616720432508-MVFBVZ4EM9BCSPNU4201/Guardian+-+thoughts.png Blog - People want to know what you think The big thing that I think most people underestimate when they are preparing their Estate Plan is ....... how much people want to know what you think. Talk to any solicitor who has acted for an Estate, they will agree that families argue about this, and spend who knows how many hours pontificating about what songs you wanted at your funeral, what you wanted your child to spend their money on, or how you wanted to be remembered. https://novuslawgroup.com.au/blog/emails-and-your-estate monthly 0.5 2021-03-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec6048df5154a015af5abbc/1614653118482-SQLLEV8XCC4DKKWVT4BI/Guardian+-+email.png Blog - Emails and your Estate - What do you want your child to know? That they are loved by you, no doubt. Have you ever thought about the core reason why families share stories from their joint past? We certainly don’t do it out of obligation, we naturally share and re-share stories, sometimes silly stories, of things that we remember. Now I am not a historian or an anthropologist so I am not going to attempt to answer that question, instead I want you to think about how often you share stories with your loved ones and how that makes you feel. Whether you live to see your children have their own children, or not, you probably want your children to have access to stories about your time with them while they were young. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec6048df5154a015af5abbc/1614653438518-O0LSTJX3F12M44OEH2AX/Guardian+-+email+%281%29.png Blog - Emails and your Estate - Take more selfies (yes I said it) I want you to create an email account for your child and then I want you to take more selfies, but with a purpose. Here is a photo of you and I reading your favourite book. Here is a photo of you and I at bed time with your favourite blanket. They don’t all have to be selfies, here is a photo of you and your favourite toy. Take these photos and then send an email to your child telling them about the photo, why you felt it was significant, and what it means to both of you. You don’t have to do this every day or every week, and the email itself doesn’t have to be that long. But whenever you look at something and think oh my child loves that toy/book/sippy cup/snack/t-shirt then you should take a photo of that and send a quick email. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec6048df5154a015af5abbc/1614654718609-Q5F7RLNSSB8BJ2BSEFVZ/Janis+with+the+book.JPG Blog - Emails and your Estate - Proper Estate Planning is overwhelming I know that proper Estate Planning is overwhelming, it involves a lot of big and sometimes difficult decisions, and it involves a lot of life admin that you had successfully put off until you came to see me. Then I start harassing you to make all these big decisions, and to take care of all these tasks, and it all seems too much, right? This is why I have been working on a system to try and help step you through it, and to let you do it at your own pace. If you want to read more about my book you can do that here. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec6048df5154a015af5abbc/1614655017530-A13UUQ9B5LOKM4NI1RUU/Book+Facebook+cover.jpg Blog - Emails and your Estate - Join my Facebook group If you want to join my Facebook group you can do that by clicking on the button below, it is free. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec6048df5154a015af5abbc/1614653806344-PUMG506JK1IDIMLXPY42/Guardian+-+email+%282%29.png Blog - Emails and your Estate - Why? I am really trying to structure your Estate Planning so that it is valuable to you during your life, as well as being valuable if you should die unexpectedly. The first reason this is important is because when your child is an adult they will love these photos and short stories. This is a really easy and simple way for you to catalogue some photos and quick thoughts about them as they grow and age and change. We all have plans to do these lovely and time consuming books or videos or whatever, but this is a very bite sized piece of life admin that you can take care of quickly, using one hand and a phone. It can also be retrospective, if your child is older then every time you get one of those prompts from this day three, five or ten years ago you can grab a photo of your child, email it to them, tell them how old the photo is and what it makes you think of. https://novuslawgroup.com.au/blog/passwords monthly 0.5 2021-03-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec6048df5154a015af5abbc/1614643284765-K1TCH2IXO7X2DYW504FX/Passwords.png Blog - Passwords - It is on my to do list We all know that passwords are important, right? We should have a good one, we should probably update them, and who else has my password for an emergency situation? Actually come to think of it, this is all too hard. I will put it on my ‘to do’ list with all the other #lifeadmin that is languishing there. I want to help you get started with your passwords, by giving you some bite sized steps that you can take, today. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec6048df5154a015af5abbc/1614644228008-JY8N2UGD8715WRAW2AH8/Passwords+-+sign+up+with+Google.png Blog - Passwords - First tip - use this more My first tip is perhaps an obvious one, or at least not very creative, but I am going to say it anyway - use this option more often. If you set a really great password for your Google account then you can set (and remember) that password once, and then just use this option as much as possible. I could tell you to set really great and different passwords for everything, but let’s face it you are busy, you have limited energy and time, and you aren’t going to do that. Instead, set one really great password for a Google account, perhaps a specific Google account that you just use for this purpose, and then use that to sign up every time you get this option. https://novuslawgroup.com.au/blog/guardian-older-sibling monthly 0.5 2021-03-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec6048df5154a015af5abbc/1616723933602-887M53LUA3MAHAD373TO/Guardian+-+age+of+the+guardian+%283%29.jpg Blog - Should I choose an older sibling? - Should an older sibling become the guardian? Another controversial statement - please also be very wary of choosing an older child as guardian for a younger child. Of course you want your older child to look out for their sibling but there is a difference between asking someone to be a good, caring older sibling, and asking someone to be a parent. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec6048df5154a015af5abbc/1616063255374-XTBBNCE1P7F3FUFISVMF/Book+Facebook+cover.jpg Blog - Should I choose an older sibling? Would you like to join my free Facebook group where we are discussing all of this, and I have provided a checklist to help you to work through all of the decisions yourself. https://novuslawgroup.com.au/blog/guardian-location monthly 0.5 2021-03-31 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec6048df5154a015af5abbc/1617163637292-O6MFLOCWQ1RUIXI6TTXB/why.jpg Blog - Location - But I have already chosen a guardian? Even if you have already chosen a guardian I still want you to think through this topic. Firstly you could talk to the guardian about why you have chosen them, because of or in spite of the location. Secondly, and more relevantly if you don’t die and the guardian is never needed that doesn’t mean you cannot encourage each other. Listening to each other and encouraging each other is good for both of you, as well as good preparation in case something ever happens to you. Tell your friend that you would love to hear about why they live where they live, and not somewhere else. By listening to and encouraging your friend you also help yourself. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec6048df5154a015af5abbc/1616063255374-XTBBNCE1P7F3FUFISVMF/Book+Facebook+cover.jpg Blog - Location Would you like to join my free Facebook group where we are discussing all of this, and I have provided a checklist to help you to work through all of the decisions yourself. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec6048df5154a015af5abbc/1616720096372-JIYN368MOC90RWO06RUJ/Guardian+-+location+%281%29.jpg Blog - Location While these decisions are all incredibly personal and each decision is unique, I take an unusual position on this. I actually don’t think this question is as important as the other questions. Of course, a child’s extended family and friend network is key and important and so I still ask this question, but being comfortable with their new parents and being in a home where they feel comfortable and supported is far more important than them remaining in the same suburb. https://novuslawgroup.com.au/blog/stamp-duty-and-estates monthly 0.5 2021-03-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec6048df5154a015af5abbc/1614556581117-HQHNQV6OPT2471K2412V/stamp+duty+and+estates.jpg Blog - Stamp duty and Estates About twice a year I see an Estate where because of something logical and predictable that the beneficiaries want to do with the real estate, one of the beneficiaries ends up having to pay stamp duty. I also see Estates where they don't end up doing that logical or predictable thing because they can't afford the stamp duty. If it has been provided for in the Will then 'generally' you won't attract stamp duty, but what options are available to beneficiaries, and what do you need to include in the Will for them to avoid stamp duty? Decisions like this, and provisions like this in your Will, could save your loved ones a lot of money. OSR - link regarding Estate duties https://novuslawgroup.com.au/blog/i-have-already-sorted-out-my-superannuation monthly 0.5 2021-02-28 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec6048df5154a015af5abbc/1614509149183-ZTI03UMRBEE8HU9OYUQD/pexels-energepiccom-110473.jpg Blog - I have already sorted out my superannuation - But I had already taken care of that? There are two problems here, the first is that the person at the superannuation company probably told you the wrong thing, and the second is that they probably don’t understand the legal implications of binding vs non binding declarations. Many superannuation companies tell you that you have already completed your nomination and when you get your super statements there is your beneficiaries name, clear as day. Simple, right? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec6048df5154a015af5abbc/1614509660307-P26FG79T5Z0P6UZ71SJW/Copy+of+This+helps.png Blog - I have already sorted out my superannuation - Let me figure it out I often say to my clients, don’t buy a dog and bark yourself. I am collecting all your financial information anyway, because asking someone to help you without giving you the ability to help you (by making your financial documents available to them) is pointless. So I will be collecting a copy of all your relevant financial documents to keep on file for your Executor and Attorney. While I am there, I will check your super statements. Let me figure it out. That is my job. https://novuslawgroup.com.au/blog/guardian-grandparents monthly 0.5 2021-03-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec6048df5154a015af5abbc/1616722926953-WYJSIQJJ114G87XL8RLR/Guardian+-+age+of+the+guardian+%282%29.jpg Blog - Should I choose a grandparent? This can be a real flash point in family discussions but ask yourself, are they too old? I don’t mean are they too old to handle a rambunctious toddler, because no doubt you have already thought that through if your children are still toddlers. I want you to think how old will these people be when your child is 16 years old. When your child thinks they have the experience and knowledge of an adult, and they have just started dating someone who is objectively a bad influence, how old will that potential guardian be? Will they have the energy to deal with that? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec6048df5154a015af5abbc/1616063255374-XTBBNCE1P7F3FUFISVMF/Book+Facebook+cover.jpg Blog - Should I choose a grandparent? Would you like to join my free Facebook group where we are discussing all of this, and I have provided a checklist to help you to work through all of the decisions yourself. https://novuslawgroup.com.au/blog/guardian-separated monthly 0.5 2021-03-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec6048df5154a015af5abbc/1616063255374-XTBBNCE1P7F3FUFISVMF/Book+Facebook+cover.jpg Blog - Do I need to choose? Would you like to join my free Facebook group where we are discussing all of this, and I have provided a checklist to help you to work through all of the decisions yourself. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec6048df5154a015af5abbc/1616722464021-PQ6IAL79923C1C7G1OR6/Question.jpg Blog - Do I need to choose? - But I am separated from the other parent? I am often told “I don’t need to choose a guardian, they will just go to my ex”. Well unfortunately life just isn’t that simple. I am not here to answer the family lawyer question though of whether your family can challenge that decision. I am here to look at something far more simple. I want to strongly encourage you that you still need to do the heavy thinking around choosing a guardian, because life doesn’t always go according to plan. https://novuslawgroup.com.au/blog/rose-tinted-glasses-carseats monthly 0.5 2021-03-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec6048df5154a015af5abbc/1616063255374-XTBBNCE1P7F3FUFISVMF/Book+Facebook+cover.jpg Blog - Car seats Would you like to join my free Facebook group where we are discussing all of this, and I have provided a checklist to help you to work through all of the decisions yourself. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec6048df5154a015af5abbc/1616719851261-VX6YOWN6SVNJXLRKXPJ4/car+seats+-+who+will+pay.jpg Blog - Car seats There are a lot of things that you need to plan for, should the guardian control the kids’ trust, or be a beneficiary to the kids' trust (for things like motor vehicles) and then someone else control the trust? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec6048df5154a015af5abbc/1616719915888-HJZRYZQI96S2CRDPDLEY/car+seats+-+number+of+seats+%281%29.jpg Blog - Car seats Have you thought about car seats, and what does that have to do with your Estate? Have you thought about short term things, like emergency considerations, does your Guardian pick up the kids or does someone else? Do they know that? Do they have seats? Are they registered with your child's school or daycare? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec6048df5154a015af5abbc/1616719873249-PE19TB5JRNK2LC7SUF8S/car+seats+-+number+of+seats.jpg Blog - Car seats Have you thought about longer term needs if you die, like if you add your children to the guardian's existing family how many people is that? Would that many people fit in their existing car? Would they have to buy a new car and if so, who should pay for that? https://novuslawgroup.com.au/blog/rose-tinted-glasses monthly 0.5 2021-03-31 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec6048df5154a015af5abbc/1616063255374-XTBBNCE1P7F3FUFISVMF/Book+Facebook+cover.jpg Blog - Rose tinted glasses Would you like to join my free Facebook group where we are discussing all of this, and I have provided a checklist to help you to work through all of the decisions yourself. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec6048df5154a015af5abbc/1617163352137-11BZHCZJNZ97EZKL5MCT/why.jpg Blog - Rose tinted glasses - But I have already chosen a guardian? If you are thinking, but I have already chosen a guardian, I want to encourage you that this topic is still important for you to think through. If you are doing this work now, the laundry, lunchboxes and dishes, then you could talk to your potential guardian about that. Encouraging somebody else, by telling them that they are doing a good job or asking them how they are going with that task, has the added benefit of helping you. By talking about how to manage this work you think through it for yourself. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec6048df5154a015af5abbc/1616713935129-FTPUUWBD1PT2F6OV2S6D/laundry.jpg Blog - Rose tinted glasses When you think about a guardian for your children are you thinking about the fun stuff, the lovely moments, or are you thinking about the every day things that take up most of your time? The lovely moments do matter, but don’t let that drown out the tougher questions. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec6048df5154a015af5abbc/1616714579422-R8JP6BCUHZTPHF0I5Q0K/Dishes.jpg Blog - Rose tinted glasses I think for many people the things that we weigh up for ourselves when we decide how many children to have, or when to start having children, look very different to the things that we weigh up when we are choosing a guardian for our children if we should die. In reality, those tasks, those duties, they look the same for the parent and the guardian. The guardian though has the added weight and responsibility of a grieving child. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec6048df5154a015af5abbc/1616714617844-08I41EZBHY6HQII4H87V/Lunch+boxes.jpg Blog - Rose tinted glasses So when you think about a guardian think about the laundry, who in your life has time and patience for that on top of what they are already doing? Don’t worry that isn’t all you are giving them, of course your children are lovely, I am just asking you to have a serious think about the other stuff too. https://novuslawgroup.com.au/blog/face-coverings-masks-in-nsw monthly 0.5 2021-01-03 https://novuslawgroup.com.au/blog/what-does-the-book-cover monthly 0.5 2020-12-23 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec6048df5154a015af5abbc/1608701992592-KF3E7VDMP3A0KGRC3RLE/EPIMTW+book.jpg Blog - What does the book cover? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec6048df5154a015af5abbc/1606822010482-1247KRLVPTUY8E9LV58N/Janis+with+book.jpg Blog - What does the book cover? - Estate Planning is more than Wills I wrote a book with the goal of helping to step you through all of the decisions, because proper Estate Planning can be overwhelming. If you want to find out more about the book then you can do that here. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec6048df5154a015af5abbc/1608702611234-IEHJPC889D7HK9CLBTYY/Executor+problems.jpg Blog - What does the book cover? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec6048df5154a015af5abbc/1608206782031-CUSZGLU0GYSXRE0IEOMZ/Process.png Blog - What does the book cover? - The process If you want to understand the process involved in our Estate Planning then you can read more about that here. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec6048df5154a015af5abbc/1608702437853-BTZEHTOFG5WG5O9QSFV7/Executor.jpg Blog - What does the book cover? https://novuslawgroup.com.au/blog/long-weekend monthly 0.5 2021-01-12 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec6048df5154a015af5abbc/1608611617459-45VP7UIQO1O4LLCSHH1R/image.jpg Blog - What is a long weekend, and why does it matter? https://novuslawgroup.com.au/blog/how-do-i-update-my-binding-death-benefit-nomination monthly 0.5 2020-12-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec6048df5154a015af5abbc/1608207195506-YL61T7WMSO2RN6WUP228/Copy+of+Update.png Blog - How do I update my binding death benefit nomination? https://novuslawgroup.com.au/blog/have-you-signed-a-binding-nomination-for-your-superannuation monthly 0.5 2020-12-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec6048df5154a015af5abbc/1608207547178-50R0HSMMDKLK4GW5DTD3/Copy+of+Update.png Blog - Have you signed a binding nomination for your superannuation? https://novuslawgroup.com.au/blog/you-need-a-filing-system monthly 0.5 2020-12-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec6048df5154a015af5abbc/1608205909397-8HPUUC4DDCJD8L8NC3R0/Executor.jpg Blog - You need a filing system https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec6048df5154a015af5abbc/1608099199409-5SVKN42OH6P75XJTLY2Q/Why+-+every+three+years.jpg Blog - You need a filing system https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec6048df5154a015af5abbc/1608528491210-JJ64VZX6954Y0085LKCH/Executor+problems.jpg Blog - You need a filing system https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec6048df5154a015af5abbc/1608207711761-F4PD20R9E8XK2A0BINN6/Why+-+filing+system.png Blog - You need a filing system https://novuslawgroup.com.au/blog/penrith-city-council-christmas-bin monthly 0.5 2020-12-20 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec6048df5154a015af5abbc/1608098884630-36E3M4572AWQ92EUZUUG/ChristmasBinCollections-Webslider-1.jpg Blog - Penrith City Council - Christmas bins https://novuslawgroup.com.au/blog/blended-families-amp-intestacy-wont-it-all-just-go-to-my-spouse monthly 0.5 2020-12-10 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec6048df5154a015af5abbc/1607579772904-BAQONQV6U6AG4NFAWOM2/7.png Blog - Blended families & intestacy - won’t it all just go to my spouse? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec6048df5154a015af5abbc/1607579155695-2ZN7CZRYWQO86IL799NZ/1.png Blog - Blended families & intestacy - won’t it all just go to my spouse? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec6048df5154a015af5abbc/1607579461874-8WTANPFGDTZGZ6W2PGU5/3.png Blog - Blended families & intestacy - won’t it all just go to my spouse? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec6048df5154a015af5abbc/1607579682980-E5FHU06SW15JA3VOISIE/Blended+family+intestacy.png Blog - Blended families & intestacy - won’t it all just go to my spouse? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec6048df5154a015af5abbc/1607579707363-J40PDLYEXL0BDDPZNWBQ/5.png Blog - Blended families & intestacy - won’t it all just go to my spouse? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec6048df5154a015af5abbc/1607579741569-IZACA4GZQSNDXK7X3HQF/6.png Blog - Blended families & intestacy - won’t it all just go to my spouse? https://novuslawgroup.com.au/blog/a-will-is-a-simple-thing monthly 0.5 2020-12-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec6048df5154a015af5abbc/1606819218436-OM57RP5L9SFWRZW9Z0OG/A+will+is+a+simple+thing.jpg Blog - A Will is a simple thing https://novuslawgroup.com.au/blog/help-the-executor-out monthly 0.5 2020-12-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec6048df5154a015af5abbc/1606809203800-HUFN1X70JTVS546L4CCV/Executor+problems.jpg Blog - Help the Executor out These are some of the problems that an Executor needs to deal with after you die. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec6048df5154a015af5abbc/1606809057746-D18A1WUDFV68A8EUCEV1/Executor.jpg Blog - Help the Executor out This is what people think being an Executor is like, this is what most people think the Executor does (i.e. look after the Will). https://novuslawgroup.com.au/blog/find-your-super monthly 0.5 2021-03-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec6048df5154a015af5abbc/1616063255374-XTBBNCE1P7F3FUFISVMF/Book+Facebook+cover.jpg Blog - Why do I want you to find your super? Would you like to join my free Facebook group where I share more tips like this to get you started with your Estate Plan? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec6048df5154a015af5abbc/1606802658706-ZQDT8AOQBNV44HQ03IZD/Why+-+every+three+years.jpg Blog - Why do I want you to find your super? https://novuslawgroup.com.au/blog/why-write-a-book monthly 0.5 2021-03-09 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec6048df5154a015af5abbc/1606822010482-1247KRLVPTUY8E9LV58N/Janis+with+book.jpg Blog - Why would I write a book? - A lot of information Mostly I wrote a book because it seemed like the most logical way to group a lot of information, because proper Estate Planning is more than just a Will. I have previously posted about why A Will is not an Estate Plan, and Why are you giving me homework? A book seemed like a more sensible way to index and group everything, and to allow you to move forwards or backwards through that information as it suited you. https://novuslawgroup.com.au/blog/why-do-i-need-a-will-if-i-purchase-a-house monthly 0.5 2020-11-23 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec6048df5154a015af5abbc/1606130736883-D4AHE1BXFBYBOPTXGBRN/image-asset.jpeg Blog - Why do I need a Will if I purchase a house? https://novuslawgroup.com.au/blog/five-things-to-do-before-you-sell monthly 0.5 2020-10-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec6048df5154a015af5abbc/1603084566851-ZCIT3WWCF2I8LPTF7CG0/1.png Blog - Five things to do before you sell a property https://novuslawgroup.com.au/blog/dont-pay-the-funeral-invoice monthly 0.5 2021-02-22 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec6048df5154a015af5abbc/1613984519078-JJ1AEQMQJ9FGINZ24ZXN/Funeral+Invoice+redone.jpg Blog - Don’t pay the funeral invoice One of the frustrating things that often happens to me when I take instructions from an Executor for a new Estate is I find out that somebody has already paid for the funeral, from their own pocket on a credit card. It would seem that on the whole funeral homes are not telling Executors that they can get the funeral invoice paid by within days if they know what they are doing, instead they talk about an ‘early payment discount’ and encourage people to pay it immediately. I know it isn’t all funeral homes, but it happens too often, and almost always when I see this there was an easy way to have the funeral invoice paid in a matter of days. If you are preparing your Will then it is important that you let your Executor know that they should not pay the funeral invoice themselves. https://novuslawgroup.com.au/blog/five-things-to-do-before-you-purchase-a-property monthly 0.5 2020-10-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec6048df5154a015af5abbc/1602991995871-5TO1NMGMWHT9HYG6V77C/1.png Blog - Five things to do before you purchase a property https://novuslawgroup.com.au/blog/insurance-policies-and-estate-planning monthly 0.5 2020-10-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec6048df5154a015af5abbc/1602453420015-VJPSSN7VTLDJ68LGYHOY/Insurance.png Blog - Insurance policies and Estate Planning https://novuslawgroup.com.au/blog/is-your-lease-a-retail-leases-act-lease monthly 0.5 2020-06-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec6048df5154a015af5abbc/1592986647423-EE7122UUR02PG527Z128/leases-300x251.png Blog - Is your Lease a Retail Leases Act lease? https://novuslawgroup.com.au/blog/a-will-is-not-an-estate-plan monthly 0.5 2020-12-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec6048df5154a015af5abbc/1591784706286-AYL9XCKX7ZKUMNKY3PPB/Estranged+child+%281%29.png Blog - A Will is not an Estate Plan https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec6048df5154a015af5abbc/1606822987374-UVNKWXQFDRA0VQQZLHBO/What+don%27t+people+realise+about+organising+a+funeral_.jpg Blog - A Will is not an Estate Plan https://novuslawgroup.com.au/blog/homework monthly 0.5 2020-12-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec6048df5154a015af5abbc/1592309550226-HTBKVX9G64SRJ5YYRTAU/Why+Homework.png Blog - Why are you giving me homework? https://novuslawgroup.com.au/blog/changes-to-off-the-plan-contracts monthly 0.5 2020-06-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec6048df5154a015af5abbc/1592987337743-U99R6SPYKQ3GL0Z5ZHUE/contract-changes-300x251.jpg Blog - Changes to off the plan contracts https://novuslawgroup.com.au/blog/contract-for-sale-of-land-in-nsw monthly 0.5 2020-06-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec6048df5154a015af5abbc/1592985986970-0WRNYXWMHF5H1FXZJA8B/Contract+for+sale+of+land.jpg Blog - Contract for sale of land in NSW https://novuslawgroup.com.au/blog/digital-driving-licence-nsw monthly 0.5 2020-12-10 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec6048df5154a015af5abbc/1607574817243-OP8JBBOZWX6S32N32APX/image.jpg Blog - Digital driving licence - make sure you take some precautions https://novuslawgroup.com.au/blog/independent-advice monthly 0.5 2020-06-10 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec6048df5154a015af5abbc/1591785209819-CSZPP514Y56PU6A9SK0F/Independent+FB+%282%29.png Blog - Why do I need independant legal advice? https://novuslawgroup.com.au/blog/joint-tenants monthly 0.5 2020-06-12 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec6048df5154a015af5abbc/1591783888101-PVNUT3DB8YBWKEXKLJOL/Joint+tenants.png Blog - Joint Tenants and Tenants in Common We frequently see clients who have previously prepared Wills, and previously purchased property, and yet they cannot tell us whether they own their property as tenants in common or joint tenants. No one has ever explained the difference to them. These two options make a big difference for your estate. If you own as joint tenants then you both own 100% of the property, so that at the moment of your death the property passes to the other person or people on title. The property is not caught by your Estate or by your Will, and even with litigation your intended beneficiaries may not be able to get the property back. https://novuslawgroup.com.au/blog/category/Estate+Planning monthly 0.5 https://novuslawgroup.com.au/blog/category/Conveyancing monthly 0.5 https://novuslawgroup.com.au/about-us daily 0.75 2025-06-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec6048df5154a015af5abbc/1591775602023-UA7N9T34GQGXOLX5XV86/Image.jpeg About - Natalie Ballard Nat Ballard has lived in Penrith all her life, and she believes that local clients don’t care about marble reception areas or whether she answers their calls when she is in an office, at home or watching her kids play sport. She knew that she could give her clients value without paying for the overheads of a traditional law firm. 0404 474 084 nballard@novuslawgroup.com.au https://novuslawgroup.com.au/free-call daily 0.75 2025-06-13 https://novuslawgroup.com.au/home daily 1.0 2025-06-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec6048df5154a015af5abbc/1591775602023-UA7N9T34GQGXOLX5XV86/Image.jpeg Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec6048df5154a015af5abbc/1590127130351-HSKAUUT9WTNELCQG19NN/Janis+and+Nat.jpg Home - Remote We know that most or all of your matter can be dealt with remotely, by telephone or by email, without you having to physically travel to us. We also know that you have no interest in the overheads of a large office being paid through your legal fees. For those matters where you do need to physically sign documents we can come to you. https://novuslawgroup.com.au/debt daily 0.75 2020-10-10 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec6048df5154a015af5abbc/1592284333451-YFV6420CEFNDQAWX0FSJ/image-asset.jpeg Debt https://novuslawgroup.com.au/booknat daily 0.75 2020-10-10 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec6048df5154a015af5abbc/1592287216585-6RMC9BWQNS09F11WU9UL/Natalie+Ballard.jpeg Book Nat https://novuslawgroup.com.au/business daily 0.75 2020-10-10 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec6048df5154a015af5abbc/1592288788250-NF4HHENVSRKTO69VJFQN/image-asset.jpeg Business https://novuslawgroup.com.au/areas-of-practice daily 0.75 2020-10-02 https://novuslawgroup.com.au/estates daily 0.75 2025-06-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec6048df5154a015af5abbc/1592289115365-DAQTZOH8SD525XXCK3BE/image-asset.jpeg Estates https://novuslawgroup.com.au/property daily 0.75 2025-06-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec6048df5154a015af5abbc/1592289792836-83IECAJCWCR40XJYKCO2/image-asset.jpeg Property https://novuslawgroup.com.au/civil daily 0.75 2020-10-10 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec6048df5154a015af5abbc/1592288788250-NF4HHENVSRKTO69VJFQN/image-asset.jpeg Civil Litigation https://novuslawgroup.com.au/estate-planning daily 0.75 2021-03-05 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec6048df5154a015af5abbc/1614904914235-I28WBY9585L85RC7XMTZ/Estate+Planning+is+more+than+Wills Wills and Estate Planning Estate Planning looks more like this, there are more moving pieces, and not everything falls neatly within the bounds of your Will. This is why simply doing a Will is not enough. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec6048df5154a015af5abbc/1614904671527-D3OAZCXNPDTXMWAA8NSP/Estate+Planning+is+more+than+Wills Wills and Estate Planning This is what most people think their Estate looks like, you do a Will and everything falls neatly within that Will. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec6048df5154a015af5abbc/1614904253639-RY9SM167BEKN1WHXWQ4A/Book+Facebook+cover.jpg Wills and Estate Planning https://novuslawgroup.com.au/book-conveyancing daily 0.75 2025-06-13 https://novuslawgroup.com.au/links daily 0.75 2021-04-01 https://novuslawgroup.com.au/new-sale daily 0.75 2025-06-13 https://novuslawgroup.com.au/new-purchase daily 0.75 2025-06-13 https://novuslawgroup.com.au/faqs daily 0.75 2025-06-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec6048df5154a015af5abbc/1593405857383-20A8WJA5FI6U6A72FKPR/question-2736480_640.jpg FAQs https://novuslawgroup.com.au/wills-urgent daily 0.75 2020-09-03 https://novuslawgroup.com.au/contact-us daily 0.75 2025-06-13 https://novuslawgroup.com.au/natalie-ballard daily 0.75 2020-10-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec6048df5154a015af5abbc/1591775602023-UA7N9T34GQGXOLX5XV86/Image.jpeg Natalie Ballard - Natalie Ballard Nat Ballard has lived in Penrith all her life and she believed that clients don’t care how many hours her bum is in a seat. She knew that she could give her clients value without paying for the overheads of a traditional law firm. 0404 474 084 nballard@novuslawgroup.com.au https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec6048df5154a015af5abbc/1590128195787-Y382ABLRG0OY16MW6HRM/Novus+Janis+low+res.jpg Natalie Ballard - Janis Donnelly-Coode Janis is passionate about Wills and Estate Planning, which probably sounds like a funny thing to be passionate about. With over a decade of Estate Litigation experience, and because of her background and training in Commerce, she is really keen to help people avoid all of that mess and sort everything out for their loved ones. 0421 887 581 janis@novuslawgroup.com.au https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec6048df5154a015af5abbc/1591775206053-FU6HCP7XHWT4JWQX7W6V/Teresa+standing.jpg Natalie Ballard - Teresa Sharpe Teresa is a busy local Mum who has worked in conveyancing and property for seventeen years. She enjoys working and helping her clients in a flexible fashion. She understands that this is a busy and stressful time for you and that you have many things to take care of. 0420 979 794 tsharpe@novuslawgroup.com.au https://novuslawgroup.com.au/newwill daily 0.75 2020-12-01 https://novuslawgroup.com.au/commercial-book-nat daily 0.75 2020-10-10 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec6048df5154a015af5abbc/1590124528605-B7X36HH31W5FKONE0P2H/Stuart%2BAyers.jpg Book Nat - Commercial Nat Ballard is always multi-tasking. Here she is attending a local business meeting with her youngest son. If you could give her some details then she can call you back when her hands are not full driving, dropping kids somewhere or helping another client.