Selling Part of Your Farm Land? Consider the GST You Could Be Liable For!
Often, we see farmers winding down their operations as they get older and ready for retirement. If they have no children interested in keeping the farming operations going, these farmers may need to sell their farms.
One common option we are seeing farmers do is sell off parts of their land (if on multiple titles/lots) separately for those Buyers wanting ‘Hobby Farms’ or ‘Lifestyle Blocks’. Often, this results in a better sale price for the farmers, which is important as often they need to capitalise on the sale price so that they can fund their retirement.
Often in this case, the farmer will list the property for sale with their local real estate agent. The agent lists and advertises the property as a ‘lifestyle block’ or ‘rural retreat’ and usually, they get a buyer come along quickly offering what the farmer wants for it.
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New Pet Provisions in Family Law: What You Need to Know
As of 10 June 2025, significant reforms to the Family Law Act 1975 have come into effect, reshaping how pets are treated in property settlements following separation and divorce. These changes, introduced through the Family Law Amendment Act 2024, mark a pivotal shift in recognising the emotional significance of pets in family dynamics.
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What can I expect at a family law consultation?
Family law consultations are generally designed to help you understand your legal position and the steps you need to take, as well as to determine whether you feel comfortable working with the lawyer on your case.
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Building Approvals – When Do You Need Them?
Living in Queensland, many of us are well versed with the treat of cyclones and other major weather events. No doubt many of you may have considered the structural soundness of your house and improvements on your land. But how do you know if your house and improvements are built to withstand bad weather?
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How Cyclones can Impact Contracts of Sale
With a severe weather event expected to hit South East Queensland in the coming days, many insurance companies have implemented an insurance embargo. This means homeowners and prospective buyers won’t be able to take out new policies until the event passes.
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Want To Do Your Own Building Works On Your Land? What You Need to Know
Owner builder work is the term used when someone undertakes a residential building project on their own land without employing a licensed builder to oversee the project.
If you want to build your own home, or do substantial renovations, you may need an Owner Builder Permit issued before you start work.
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How to protect your children during separation
A consideration the Court will take into account when making a determination on who a child should live with and/or spend time with, is if a parent has exposed the child to the Court proceedings.
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IMPORTANT: Changes which will impact all sellers from 1 January 2025
The ATO have announced that for all contracts dated 1 January, 2025 onwards:
all sellers are required to obtain this clearance certificate from the ATO prior to settlement, regardless of the price the property is sold for; and
the amount to be paid will increase to 15%.
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New Family Law Amendments to Decide Who Keeps the Family Pet
A further amendment to the Family Law Act has been introduced by the Albanese Government last week, and interestingly, it includes family pets. The proposed amendment would see the Family Law Court consider pets as “companion animals” and grant the Court the power to make Orders on who keeps the pet, or if it is to be sold.
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Beware of the Email!
As email is more and more largely depended on in society, it is a common target for cybercriminal activity. If someone gains unauthorised access to your email account, they then have access to your private communications. A cybercriminal could steal your sensitive information, or even commit fraud and send emails pretending to be you or send you emails pretending to be someone else.
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Payment options for Family Law matters
There is no denying that Family Law proceedings can be expensive. This cost creates a significant gap between those who can comfortably afford to pay for a solicitor, and those who are eligible for Legal Aid.
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What can you do with your spare titles on your farm?
Mackay Regional Council has a Tradeable Development Rights Policy (“TDR Policy”) which has been in place for a number of years. For those who haven’t heard about the policy before, it is designed to provide an opportunity to owners of agricultural land to amalgamate their titles (i.e., converting two smaller lots into one larger lot), whilst receiving a financial benefit from this by selling their extra ‘Title Right’ to other landholders who are eligible to subdivide their land (convert a larger lot into two smaller lots) in areas where development may be acceptable.
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Buying Machinery and Equipment – How To Best Protect Your Investment
Buying machinery and equipment can mean a huge investment for a business. But, did you know that if you buy machinery or equipment from someone, they may not have the right to sell it? Just like a bank takes a mortgage over land and has the right to sell it at any time if there is a default; banks and other parties, such as equipment financiers or suppliers, can take a Registered Security Interest over personal property, and can repossess or sell it too. Misty Di-Filippo, Commercial Lawyer explains exactly what the Personal Properties Security Register (PPSR) is, and what steps you need to take before you make your next purchase.
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What are the signs of domestic violence and where can you go to get help?
We have found over time that there is a social aversion to identifying ‘domestic violence’ when in a relationship. Both victims and perpetrators are scared to use the term, as though it will make the experience real rather than opening a doorway to help.
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Changes to REIQ House & Land and CTS Contracts - June 2024
Newsflash: The REIQ House & Land and CTS Contracts have been updated.
Whilst any contracts prepared on previous versions are still binding, it is always recommended to use the most recent updated contract to take advantage of the new terms:
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Can I see my child with a DVO in Place?
We are commonly asked by clients if they can see their child if there is a Domestic Violence Order in place with the other parent listed as a party. The answer to this will ultimately depend on how the Order is worded.
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Know your boundaries (Part 2)
If a landowner wants to construct a dividing fence and wants the neighbour to contribute towards such cost, they first need to serve the neighbour with a specific notice called a Form 2 “Notice to Contribute for Fencing Work”. This notice needs to be served on the neighbour personally or by registered mail for it to be considered validly served and delivered.
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Know your boundaries (Part 1)
Land is typically the most valuable asset we own. But how do you know where your land ends and your neighbour’s land begins? In Queensland, property boundaries are defined by survey marks that can be found at the boundary corners. Often these survey marks are white pegs in the ground. The peg often has a reference mark, such as an iron pin buried nearby or a nail to help re-establish the corner in the future.
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What are Consent Orders?
When you think ‘Family Law’, you probably think of Court rooms and heightened emotions. However, that is not always the case. There are also a large number of separated couples that are able to reach an agreement between themselves, and only require solicitors to formalize the agreement. This is done through Consent Orders. Consent Orders are drafted by solicitors to reflect the terms of the agreement reached between the parties, and these documents are filed with the Court. These Orders can be made in relation to parenting or property matters, or both.
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Duty of Disclosure
In all family law matters, both parties are bound by the duty of disclosure. Whilst the duty of disclosure is more often referred to in financial cases, it is equally relevant to parenting matters. In all cases, parties are compelled to provide the other party with all documents that are relevant to the proceedings on hand.
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