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Hypothetical by Manny Wood published in the Coffs Coast Advocate on 23 May 2020. Amelia suffered brain damage at birth causing severe cognitive impairment and severe communication impairment. Amelia’s parents separated two years after her birth. They have since remarried and both have had two more children. Amelia’s mother, Carol was her primary carer during her childhood. Both of Carol’s children to her new partner have a loving relationship with Amelia. […]

Hypothetical by Manny Wood published in the Coffs Coast Advocate on 2 May 2020. Caitlin and her de facto partner, Tom, were employed as job recruiters by their family company. They worked from home and had two dependent children. Unfortunately, Caitlin fell victim to paranoid delusions and was convinced that Tom was conspiring with another agency to take her clients and undermine her career. She also suspected him of spying on her and recording their conversations. […]

Hypothetical by Manny Wood published in the Coffs Coast Advocate on 11 April 2020. David is married to Susan. David has two children, to a previous relationship, Christine and Charles. Susan is involved in a motor vehicle accident and unfortunately passes-away, leaving one daughter, Jenny. After Susan’s death, David executes a superannuation binding death benefit nomination and because he has had little to do with Christine, he nominates Charles and Jenny to receive his superannuation when he dies. The superannuation legislation allows David to nominate a child and/or a stepchild. […]

Hypothetical by Manny Wood Published in the Coffs Coast Advocate on 4 April 2020. Charles and Mary have been married for six years. They have a six-year-old child. They reside in Mary’s home. At the commencement of their relationship, Charles’ former de facto partner seeks a $100,000 payment by way of a property settlement. Charles borrows this money from Mary’s parents and pays the funds to his former partner. In return, he receives their former matrimonial home which he places on the market. When the property is sold, the net proceeds of sale amount to $50,000. Charles uses the funds to purchase a Mercedes-Benz for $70,000. He borrows [...]