Hypotheticals by Manny Wood. Published in the Coffs Coast Advocate on 9 January 2016. John is in his final year of high school. He recently obtained his P1 provisional drivers licence and has begun driving the 30 minute trip from home to school. One morning, on the way to school, John is recorded by a speed camera, doing 10 km per hour over the speed limit. […]
Hypotheticals by Manny Wood. Published in the Coffs Coast Advocate on 19 December 2015. Manny Wood, our dedicated columnist and resident legal eagle has now attained specialist accreditation in wills and estates. We take a break from his regular column to speak to Manny about his career and what specialist accreditation means. […]
Hypotheticals by Manny Wood. Published in the Coffs Coast Advocate on 5 December 2015. When Jane’s father dies, she discovers that despite the fact that she is the sole beneficiary of her late father’s estate, her father appointed his accountant and long-standing friend, John to be his executor. John has recently retired and spends a lot of his time travelling. Jane has attempted to contact him on a number of occasions and feels that John is not diligently fulfilling his role. […]
Hypotheticals by Manny Wood. Published in the Coffs Coast Advocate on 27 November 2015. This week’s column looks at the issues that can arise when parents and children enter into granny flat arrangements. John’s mother Jane, was recently widowed and now wishes to relocate closer to John and his children, who live near the coast. John and Jane decide to purchase a house that includes a separate living area, kitchen and bathroom for Jane. […]
Hypotheticals by Manny Wood. Published in the Coffs Coast Advocate on 21 November 2015. John lived with his mother for several years before she died, assuming the role as her primary carer. John’s sister, Jane lived next door, in a property also owned by their mother, rent-free for many years. John and Jane have a very poor relationship and have a history of drug abuse. […]
Hypotheticals by Manny Wood. Published in the Coffs Coast Advocate on 14 November 2015. John and Jane were married for 13 years and had four children together. Jane took on the role as homemaker and John successfully managed a large company. When they separate, they value their accumulated assets at $2 million. After John and Jane separate, John is able to secure a lucrative corporate position with a rival company, and in the three years after they separate he earns an income of $2 million. […]
Hypotheticals by Manny Wood. Published in the Coffs Coast Advocate on 7 November 2015. John was driving home after visiting Jane on an evening when there was a severe storm. Unfortunately when John was driving along the road, a tree fell and hit his motor vehicle, smashing his windscreen and injuring him. John was able to bring his vehicle to a halt, but he received a severe neck injury and injuries to his face from the impact of the tree on his car. […]
Hypotheticals by Manny Wood. Published in the Coffs Coast Advocate on 31 October 2015. Jim and Jane separate after a 14 year marriage. They have assets that total around $1 million. They are unable to agree on a division of their assets and action is commenced in the Federal Circuit Court seeking property settlement orders. […]
Hypotheticals by Manny Wood. Published in the Coffs Coast Advocate on 24 October 2015. Donald has been in a de facto relationship with Daisy for the last 10 years. He has three sons to a previous relationship; Huey, Dewey and Louie. Donald owns a house in Coffs Harbour and has a significant amount of savings together with a substantial share portfolio. […]
Hypotheticals by Manny Wood. Published in the Coffs Coast Advocate on 10 October 2015. When Jill was widowed several years before her death, her daughter moved in with her and took on the role as Jill’s carer. In recognition of her daughter’s efforts, Jill made a will leaving two thirds of her home to her daughter and one third to her son. She left the rest of her estate to both of her children equally. […]