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Duncan.Legal

Phone: 03 9077 7731

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25.01.2022 Many of you know Lee Smart as my Practice Manager here at Duncan.Legal. Today (as I write) her husband is undergoing major surgery for a kidney transplant. It's a big deal - life changing in fact. I ask you to keep the Smart family in your hearts today, and in whatever way that is authentic to you, to send her family and the medical team supporting Neil your positive wishes, messages of support, healing love and prayers. Thank you all. Marg X

25.01.2022 New Guardianship & Administration laws come into effect in just a few weeks on March 1. For a simple explanation of what this means, click on the link below to view our feature article in the Duncan.Legal August 2019 newsletter. https://www.duncanlegal.com.au//DL-Newsletter-No-6-Aug-201

25.01.2022 OUR WINTER WARMER OFFER IS BACK! The weather has turned and winter is a great time to pour a cuppa and start the conversation about your Will. Do you have one? If you do, when was the last time you looked at it? Is it still relevant and does it cater for your beneficiaries adequately?... Having a good estate plan in place is essential. It is the best way of continuing to care for your family when you are no longer able to do so. Duncan.Legal provides individualised advice and guidance to formulate your estate plan in a relaxed and cosy environment. Wed love to talk with you further! Place your Estate Planning business with Duncan.Legal by 28 August 2020 and receive a 15% discount on professional costs. If you would like to take advantage of this opportunity, contact Duncan.Legal by email: [email protected] or phone: 9077 7731 to book an appointment. T's & C's a signed Costs Agreement, funds into Trust and a copy of this post must be received by Duncan.Legal before the close of business August 28, 2020. The 15% discount does not apply to disbursements or GST. This offer does not apply to matters in which Costs Agreements have already been signed. We look forward to hearing from you!

22.01.2022 A little reminder...

22.01.2022 MAKING MELBOURNE MORE INCLUSIVE City of Melbourne needs your help: They are looking for young people between the ages of 8 to 17 years living with disability to attend a workshop on 22 February to share ideas on Melbourne, and how it can be more inclusive and accessible for everyone.... Lunch will be provided and you will receive a $50 gift card to thank you for your time and commitment. You are also welcome to bring your parent, sibling or friend along too. Click on the link below to register: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/making-the-city-of-melbourn

22.01.2022 ESTATE PLANNING AUDIT Duncan.Legal now offers all clients a 1/2 hour Estate Planning (EP) Audit free-of-charge! We will meet with you to understand your estate planning goals, your personal circumstances and the complexity of your assets. At the end of the 30 minutes, we will provide you with an estimate of the cost to update your estate plans (Wills & Powers of Attorney etc). You then consider whether you would like to proceed.... Should your EP Audit appointment exceed the allotted time, a charge for any time over the initial 30 minutes at our usual professional hourly rate would apply. Most clients however, complete their EP Audit within 30 minutes. If you would like to take the opportunity to have your Estate Planning Audit, call Lee Smart on 9077 7731 or email [email protected] to make your appointment.

21.01.2022 What a great program!!

21.01.2022 We had a fabulous time at the Ovarian Cancer Australia lunch today and were a proud major sponsor. Over $13,000 raised at today's luncheon alone! Well done to Karen & Donna for pulling this event together in only a few short months. Know the signs & symptoms of Ovarian Cancer: * Increased abdominal size or persistent bloating * Abdominal or pelvic (lower tummy) pain * Feeling full after eating a small amount... * Needing to urinate often or urgently A cervical screening test WILL NOT detect ovarian cancer. There is no early detection test. If any of the above symptoms are new and have been experienced persistently, please consult your GP. See more

20.01.2022 We visited Andale School in Kew last March to talk to the parents and staff about the importance of thorough Estate Planning when the family has special needs children. As a thank you, Andale School sent us a gift of greeting cards designed by the children of Andale. So thrilled were we to receive this beautiful gift, we had them framed and they now sit proudly in our conference room for all our visitors to admire!

19.01.2022 Lots of fundraising for Melbourne Inner East Special Olympics Club...Great night!!

16.01.2022 We are now taking enrollments!

15.01.2022 Kathy Havers and her team at Catalyst Financial Group (CFG) provide an outstanding financial planning service, particularly to families with disability in the mix. Duncan.Legal is proud to work collaboratively with CFG in assisting clients to formulate their estate planning arrangements.

15.01.2022 Calling all DADS! Are you a father of a child with a disability? Or do you know one please pass this on! Most of the time the people who engage with ACD and... other organisations around a child with a disability are mums - So dads is a big under-researched area. Our friends at CPEC ( in partnership with Associate Professor Helen Bourke-Taylor and Monash University) are wanting to find out more about the fathers' experience of parenting a child with a disability and need your feedback What do dads WANT and NEED to feel happier and better supported. To share what you DO, THINK, FEEL, WANT and NEED, all you need to do is complete a short online survey. For more information and to complete the survey, follow the link: https://monash.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_erkpW0m0BO45gKp

15.01.2022 The new Guardianship and Administration Act 2019 (Vic) has passed through Parliament and will come into effect on 1 March 2020. The reforms allow VCAT to appoint a "supportive administrator" and a "supportive guardian". The main difference is that VCAT makes the supportive appointment rather than the person themselves. This overcomes the difficulties of the person having to both understand and communicate an understanding of what a Supportive Attorney appointment is all about to a lawyer. It is hoped that the new provisions go some way to closing the gap and give lower functioning intellectually disabled persons more scope to participate in their own decision making and control over their own affairs with greater support.

15.01.2022 In the budget handed down yesterday, the Treasurer has foreshadowed some new initiatives in relation to Elder Abuse & the abuse of Financial Powers of Attorney. "...we will stand up for older Australians to keep them safe and prevent elder abuse, with new support services and a national online register for enduring powers of attorney." We welcome these measures and will post the details when they are released.

15.01.2022 SCAM ALERT Duncan.Legal has been telephoned 3 times in the last week from scammers trying to tell us that our internet will be disconnected that day or that our internet is vulnerable. These scammers say they are from Optus, Telstra or the NBN Co.... How to tell if these people are scammers: 1. They will get quite rude and impatient with you if you don't comply with their requests 2. If you ask for their name, you may be given a peculiar name like "Harry Sarry" 3. They will be reluctant to give you a telephone number to call them back on. They will try to insist that they will call you back. If they do give you a telephone number it may be a nonsense number. 4. The NBN Co will never call you directly, they are a wholesaler and do not deal directly with the general public. Don't engage with these people. Don't press any buttons on your phone, don't talk to them and most importantly don't give them your personal or bank account details. HANG UP!! If their number appears on your phone while it is ringing and you do happen to catch it, you can report the scam on the ACCC's Scamwatch website. Go to: www.scamwatch.gov.au and report it.

13.01.2022 Do you know how to create a Legacy Contact on your Facebook page? A Legacy Contact is a trusted friend that you can nominate to manage or close down your Facebook page after you pass away. It's easy! - here are the steps: * Go to your profile page * At the very top on the navigation pane, you will see a downward pointing arrow (or triangle), click on this * Click on Settings * Locate Manage Accounts, click on Edit... * Nominate a trusted Facebook friend as your Legacy Contact. (Your friend will receive notification of your nomination.) This is an important part of your Estate Planning that can help protect your digital assets. For more information, contact Duncan.Legal on 03 9077 7731. See more

12.01.2022 Many thanks to the staff and parents of Andale School in Kew for allowing Duncan.Legal to make a short presentation last night on the importance of thorough Estate Planning when your family includes special needs children.

12.01.2022 COVID-19 restrictions are starting to lift and Duncan.Legal is open for business! We can help you with Wills, Powers of Attorney, Probate, Guardianship & Administration, Special Disability Trusts, Family Agreements, Business Succession plans and more.... Call us on 9077 7731 for a free, no obligation quote.

11.01.2022 Road Blocks? Have you ever had difficulty helping your vulnerable adult family member because of: Privacy Laws, or because you no authority to intervene on their behalf?... Is there a person in your family that needs help to: Access information Understand information Weigh up options Make a decision Carry out a decision Communicate a decision Problem solve? Consider discussing a Supportive Attorney Appointment with them. Call or email us for further information on how this important document can help you to help them. Call 03 9077 7731 or email [email protected]

10.01.2022 Duncan.Legal, in conjunction with Rossbourne School, invite you to two free Webinars: 1. ESTATE PLANNING: Monday 15 June, 7pm 2. SUPPORTED DECISION MAKING: Monday 22 June, 7pm.... Presenter: Marg Duncan, Principal Lawyer - Duncan.Legal and past parent of Rossbourne School. ESTATE PLANNING Estate Planning with Disability Protective Trusts Things to consider when Estate Planning SUPPORTED DECISION MAKING Supportive Attorney Medical Support Person Support Person (mental health) Guardianship and Administration If you are interested in attending either session, please register your interest using the links below. Estate Planning: https://www.trybooking.com/BJTRR Supported Decision Making: https://www.trybooking.com/BJUFI

08.01.2022 An award winning educational program for young adults with disability. Great initiative!

08.01.2022 Duncan.Legal will be closed from Friday, December 13 and will re-open again on Monday, January 6. We wish all our lovely clients and friends a very Merry Christmas and a safe & happy New Year. See you in 2020!

07.01.2022 Duncan.Legal are collecting donations for the Melbourne Inner East Special Olympics Club. They are having their monster fundraising dinner in June. If any of our local friends can offer gift vouchers or donations of items (new) that can be included in the Silent Auctions, they would be gratefully accepted. All donations need to be received by June 3. If you are able to help, please message us here or email [email protected]. Thanking you all in advance. Melbourne Inner East Special Olympics Club - providing weekly sports training and regular competition for people with intellectual disability. Follow them on Facebook too!

07.01.2022 Unhappy with the conduct of a Disability Support worker? In 2018 the Disability Service Safeguards Act 2018 (Vic) was passed to promote quality of services and set minimum safety standards provided by the disability workforce. Complaints and/or notifications may now be directed to the Victorian Disability Worker Commissioner for investigation. ... The Commissioner has powers to make prohibition orders, refer matters to VCAT or charge workers with offences. Visit: https://engage.vic.gov.au/victorian-disability-worker-regul for more information. Duncan.Legal is committed to promoting disability awareness in Vic.

07.01.2022 Ever considered making an Advance Care Directive? This is a record of how you would want your medical treatment managed in the later stage of life. This is great way of giving the person you have appointed to make medical decisions for you, an idea of your wishes. Ideally, keep the record stored with your Medical Power of Attorney or (more recently) your Appointment of Medical Treatment Decision Maker. Follow the MyValues link below and start your profile today!

07.01.2022 Duncan.Legal is now open for 2020. Our thoughts are with all those affected by the fires across the country and we would like to express our admiration for the hundreds of fire fighters and ground crews working to save lives and support those currently in need. We hope this cooler weather and rain provides some much needed relief.

06.01.2022 Looking forward to a fun night of celebration & fundraising for a terrific little school in Kew - Andale School!

04.01.2022 We're back on deck for 2019! And what's your New Year's resolution? We think it should be to revisit that long-avoided task of taking a little peek at your Will. Look on the last page...find the date...shock, horror! Has it been that long??!! Time to do something about it. Contact us and let us help you tick that one off your list.

04.01.2022 Fabulous initiative. A joint program between Holmesglen TAFE and Royal Children's Hospital, giving these wonderful young people an amazing opportunity.

03.01.2022 Introducing Payment Instalment Plans. Duncan.Legal understands that the current economic climate is difficult but we also know the importance of ensuring that your Wills and Powers of Attorney are up-to-date. To ease the cost of Estate Planning at this time, Duncan.Legal is providing the option of Payment Instalment Plans.... Instalments can be made weekly, fortnightly or monthly, at a rate that you can comfortably manage. Call us today on 9077 7731 to find out more.

02.01.2022 Winter Warmer Offer Whether you have an old Will that needs review or you dont have a Will at all, winter is a great time to pour a cuppa and start the conversation. Duncan.Legal is a relaxed and cosy environment in which to explore your Estate Planning options. Place your Estate Planning business with Duncan.Legal within 30 days* and receive a 15% discount on new business or quotes previously provided in 2018.... *To be eligible for this offer a signed Costs Agreement together with a copy of this post, must be received by Duncan.Legal on or before August 15, 2018. This offer does not apply to matters in which costs agreements have already been signed.

02.01.2022 Duncan.Legal will be closed TOMORROW, Thursday 28th February from 11am while we attend a fundraising lunch for Ovarian Cancer Australia. February is Ovarian Cancer Australia Awareness month. This event has been organised & sponsored by the wonderful Donna Santilli of Santilli Jewellers and Karen Nichol of Aktifstyles in conjunction with Va Tutto Restaurant in Ivanhoe.

02.01.2022 Wishing all our wonderful clients & friends a safe and happy Christmas. If you're travelling over the festive break, take care. Duncan.Legal will be closed from Friday December 13 and will re-open again on Monday January 7.

01.01.2022 MEDICAL SUPPORT PERSON Many of our young clients currently have a Supportive Attorney document in place nominating a trusted person to support them when making decisions. Recent changes in laws under the Medical Treatment Planning and Decision Act 2016 (Vic), now mean that should a person wish to use a Support Person for MEDICAL decisions, they need to have a Medical Support Person document in place.... The effect of these new laws, means that the scope of the existing Supportive Attorney document has been narrowed and no longer covers medical decisions. The Medical Support Person document is for medical decisions only and currently under the Act, only 1 person may be nominated as a Medical Support Person. For further information on Supported Decision Making go to the OPA website (www.publicadvocate.vic.gov.au) and search Supported Decision-Making in Victoria, call Duncan.Legal on 03 9077 7731 or email [email protected].

01.01.2022 An absolute delight to present to the Wavlink community last night and answer their excellent questions.