Andropoulos & Associates Lawyers in Docklands, Victoria | Lawyer & law firm

Andropoulos & Associates Lawyers

Locality: Docklands, Victoria

Phone: +61 412 764 444

Address: 57 Derham Street, Port Melbourne 3207 Docklands, VIC, Australia

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25.01.2022 NEW LAWS (from 12.3.18)- APPOINTING SOMEONE TO MAKE MEDICAL TREATMENT DECISIONS FOR YOU WHEN YOU ARE UNABLE TO DO SO. - you no longer need a medical enduring power of attorney to do this however any such powers of attorney made before 12.3.18 are recognised and therefore do not need to be redone; - an enduring power of attorney relating to financial and personal matters(not health care related matters) can still be done.... - under the new laws, you may appoint a medical treatment decision maker; s/he must be reasonably available, willing and able to take on such a role. - your doctor will need the consent of your decision maker before providing treatment to you (unless it's an emergency, or you have consented to, or refused, the particular treatment in advance in what is called an Advance Care Directive.) - If you have not appointed a decision maker, the person who has authority to make decisions will be the first in this list: 1. your spouse or domestic partner 2. your primary carer (not a paid service provider) 3. your adult child 4. your parent 5. your adult sibling. If you have two or more who are first on this list, it is the eldest person. The Advance Care Directive is a document in which you state your preferences for future medical treatment. You can record your values and preferences for future medical treatment; and provide directions on treatment you consent to and treatment you refuse to have. We are happy to provide further information on request.

25.01.2022 NEW RESIDENTIAL TENANCY LAWS- come into effect by 1.7.2020 SOME CHANGES ARE: Properties must meet basic standards: eg functioning stoves, heating, deadlocks and must maintain basic safety standards for gas, electricity and smoke alarms.... Rental bidding will be banned Rental increases are only permitted every 12 months - not 6, as is presently the case Bonds are capped at four weeks rent. Landlords may not unreasonably refuse consent to minor modifications eg nailing hooks to walls; securing furniture for safety. They can insist however that works be carried out by qualified persons. Landlords will need an order from the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal to refuse pets on the property. Victims of family violence may end leases to ensure they are not liable for the debts of their abusers. Caravan and mobile home owners may be compensated if their residential park closes.

24.01.2022 CAN A DEPENDANT CLAIM MORE IN A WILL? CAN SOMEONE WHO HAS BEEN LEFT OUT MAKE A CLAIM? The short answer is yes! The court needs to be satisfied that the deceased had an obligation to provide for the adequate maintenance and support of that person and he failed to do. WHO IS ELIGIBLE? The main categories are:... Spouse or domestic partner; Child/adopted child/step child/grandchild; Former spouse or domestic partner who would have been entitled to issue a family law claim but had not or one who has issued a family law claim; Registered caring partner; Spouse or domestic partner of a deceased child/adopted child/step child if they died within one year of the deceased WHAT FACTORS DOES A COURT CONSIDER? - why they were left out/not given enough; - the financial circumstances of adult children; - whether there was a dependent relationship (other than in the case of the spouse or children); - what contribution did they made to the estate or welfare of the deceased; - any written reasons left by the deceased HOW LONG DO YOU HAVE TO MAKE A CLAIM? - 6 months of the date probate was granted - after 6 months but only with the permission of the court

22.01.2022 Dear clients Please note I am continuing to work remotely and shall be available to assist you during the COVID-19 restrictions. Although you will not be able to attend my office premises, you will be able to contact me via email, telephone and online web conference. ... Stay safe and well. You cannot be too careful in these current times.

21.01.2022 TOUGHER BAIL LAWS- as from 1.7.18 (prompted by the Bourke Street rampage in 2017). Police may remand a person in custody for up to 48 hours until a court is available to hear their bail application. There are 2 schedules of offences which place the onus/responsibility on the person charged to show "compelling reason" or "exceptional circumstances" (depending on which schedule the offence falls in) why bail should be granted. ... These tests are stricter than the previous requirement to "show cause". The decision-maker must inquire as to whether there are in force any existing family violence orders or notices and must consider whether, if released on bail, there is a risk that the accused would commit family violence.

20.01.2022 Welcome to our Facebook page! Contact us for all your legal needs.

19.01.2022 Dear friends, now is the time to speak to your accountants about the Commonwealth Government's Instant Asset Write-Off in this financial year. Eligible businesses can claim an immediate deduction for the business portion of the cost of an asset in the year the asset is first used, or installed ready for use. The instant asset write-off threshold amount for each asset from 1.3.20 to 30.6.20 is $150,000. Eligible businesses are those with an aggregated turnover of less than $50...0 million. From 1 July 2020 the instant asset write-off will be limited to businesses with an aggregated turnover of less than $10 million and the threshold will be $1,000. For further information see: https://www.ato.gov.au//Depreciation-and-capital-expenses/

16.01.2022 Scott Morrison has announced the $25,000 Home Builder Grant. To be eligible, you must be: an Australian citizen aged 18 or older (companies and trusts are not eligible) earning less than $200,000 for couples and $125,000 for singles... be spending $150,000 or more on your renovation (on homes worth less than $1.5m) or be building a new home worth less than $750,000 You cannot use the grant for additions to the property which are not connected to the home eg swimming pools, tennis courts, outdoor spas and saunas, sheds, or garages. If you are unsure of the value of your property, we suggest you obtain a certified property valuation. Home values have seen a drop in recent times so the limit of $1.5 may cover more homes than in previous times.

15.01.2022 Melbourne City Skyline at Dusk

08.01.2022 TOUGHER DRINK AND/OR DRUG DRIVING LAWS- as from 30.4.18 If you get caught driving at .05 or more youll: - pay a fine ... - lose your licence - need to complete a compulsory drink driver behaviour change program; and - once you are re-licensed, need an alcohol interlock device installed in any vehicle you drive for at least 6 months. If you get caught with drugs in your system youll: - lose your licence for at least 6 months; - need to complete a drug driver program before getting your licence back. The Behaviour Change Programs The type of program depends on your offence (generally they are up to 12 hours long and split over a few days). The new program includes alcohol screening and assessment, motivational and behaviour change techniques to address causes of drink and/or drug driving. It may include referrals to specialist treatment services for those with serious problems.

06.01.2022 A Happy Easter to all our clients and friends celebrating today. Could the weather be any better for a get together of family and friends?

04.01.2022 Vacant land tax Just letting you all know that as from 1.1.18 a new tax applies to vacant residential land. This is an additional tax to the existing land tax. The State Revenue Office will add this new tax to the land tax certificates that are sent out to property owners every year.... Therefore if buying residential land, your conveyancer/solicitor will ensure it is paid by the vendor otherwise, you as the purchaser, will find yourselves having to pay it- reason being, it is a charge on the land just like council and water rates. The new tax applies to homes that were vacant for more than 6 months in the previous calendar year in inner and middle Melbourne. Property owners must advise the State Revenue Office by 15 January every year- otherwise penalties apply. There are some exemptions,eg your principal place of residence. For more information either contact us or go to the State Revenue Office Vic website.

01.01.2022 POOLS AND SPAS New laws are expected to be introduced this June to safeguard children and eliminate loss of lives. Property owners will need to register their pools and spas with the local council and ensure their barriers are at all times safe and in proper working order. Compulsory inspections will also take place as often as once every 3 years.