Brett Hayton, Author at Hayton Kosky

UncategorisedThe AI Trap in Legal Practice: Why Young Lawyers in Australia Risk Career Setbacks from Over-Reliance

12 July 2025

The Underestimated Risk Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming legal practice, but the impact differs starkly between generations. While seasoned lawyers leverage AI to augment their capabilities, many early-career Australian lawyers risk professional failure through uncritical dependence on AI-generated content. The core issue isn’t technological adoption—it’s quality control. The ability to assess the accuracy, appropriateness, and...

International UncategorisedAI in Australian Law: Job Killer or Career Maker? A Generational Deep Dive

8 July 2025

The legal world is buzzing with a single, high-stakes question: will Artificial Intelligence be our greatest tool or our replacement? The narrative is often one of anxiety, painting a future where algorithms handle discovery and automated contracts make junior roles obsolete. But here in Australia, a different, more complex story is unfolding. Recent data from...

Estate Planning Probate & Wills TrustPreventing Family Inheritance Disputes: Essential Legal Strategies for Victorian Families

8 July 2025

Inheritance disputes are on the rise across Australia, and Victoria is no exception. With over 10% of wills facing legal challenges and 74% of disputes resulting in modified distributions, it’s essential for Victorian families to plan carefully to protect both their assets and family relationships. The Victorian Legal Landscape Victoria’s succession law is governed primarily...

CriminalGUILTY AS CHARGED: Erin Patterson’s Deadly Deception Finally Exposed

7 July 2025

Justice has been served on a silver platter – and it tastes nothing like death cap mushrooms. After 11 grueling weeks of testimony, a Victorian Supreme Court jury has delivered the verdict Australia has been waiting for: Erin Patterson is GUILTY of murdering three relatives and attempting to murder a fourth with a lunch that...

Estate Planning Property TrustGifting Assets to a Family Trust: Legal Pitfalls and Protective Strategies

5 July 2025

Transferring personal assets into a family trust is a popular vehicle for wealth protection and estate planning. The advantages are well-publicised—asset shielding, tax planning, succession control—but the legal mechanics behind the transfer are often overlooked. As accountant Geoff Gartly notes, family trusts can serve as a flexible and central structure for managing investments. This post...

Estate Planning Probate & WillsWhen the Original Will Goes Missing: A Victorian’s Guide to Navigating the Legal Maze

5 July 2025

The phone call comes at the worst possible time. A loved one has passed, and amid the grief, you uncover a frustrating reality: the original will, which names you as executor, has vanished. The safe is empty, the solicitor has no record, and all you have is a photocopy. What now? If you’re in Victoria,...

Conveyancing International Property UncategorisedA Practical Guide to AML Checks for Lawyers and Conveyancers

4 July 2025

Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Counter-Terrorism Financing (CTF) obligations are a critical part of the legal and conveyancing landscape in Australia. For legal professionals, these responsibilities are not just about ticking boxes; they are about protecting your practice, upholding the integrity of the financial system, and combating serious crime. This practical guide will walk you through...

CriminalMore Than Just One Person’s Job: A Real Talk on Child Safety in Our Childcare Centres

4 July 2025

The recent headlines about the child care crisis have been heartbreaking and infuriating for parents and communities across Australia. Hearing stories of abuse and neglect in places where our children are supposed to be safest cuts to the core. It leaves us feeling angry, helpless, and desperate for solutions. How can we ensure this never...

Estate Planning Probate & Wills UncategorisedDigital Assets and Estate Planning in Australia: Securing the Digital Legacy

3 July 2025

In today’s digital economy, Australians are accumulating wealth in unprecedented forms—cryptocurrency, online businesses, monetized social media accounts, and cloud-stored collections of personal data. Despite their financial and sentimental value, digital assets are frequently overlooked in estate plans, leaving beneficiaries vulnerable to loss, disputes, and tax consequences. Why Digital Assets Matter in Estate Planning Digital assets—anything...

Estate Planning Probate & WillsEstate Planning in Victoria: Protecting Your Legacy from Will Challenges in Blended Families

3 July 2025

Navigating estate planning in blended families is rarely straightforward—especially when estrangement is involved. You might believe you’ve made your intentions clear in your will, but Victorian law gives certain family members, including estranged children, the right to challenge it under Part IV of the Administration and Probate Act 1958. At Hayton Kosky, we regularly advise...

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