Losing a loved one is one of life’s most challenging experiences. Amid the grief, there are practical steps that need to be taken immediately following the death, especially in Victoria where legal and procedural requirements must be followed. At Hayton Kosky, we regularly guide clients through this early stage of the estate administration process, and...
The death of a loved one often brings not just grief but legal and practical complications—particularly for executors who are tasked with administering the deceased’s estate. One of the most difficult and emotionally charged issues that can arise is when a person, often a family member or beneficiary, refuses to vacate a property that forms...
A senior Victorian lawyer’s apology to a Supreme Court Justice has sent a shockwave through the Australian legal community, highlighting the high-stakes reality of using artificial intelligence in practice. In August 2025, Rishi Nathwani KC, a respected King’s Counsel, was forced to take “full responsibility” for filing submissions in a murder case that were riddled...
When Peter and Sue, successful Melbourne professionals with a substantial asset portfolio, sat down to plan their estate, they faced a question that troubles many high-net-worth families: how can we ensure our hard-earned wealth is protected and benefits our children and grandchildren long after we are gone? A simple will just wouldn’t cut it. Their...
Victoria is in a precarious financial position. Labelled the “nation’s debt dunce”, the state’s gross debt reached a staggering $213 billion as of July this year. This figure represents nearly a third of the total debt owed by all Australian states and territories combined. While new, unpopular taxes on property and payrolls have managed to...
Elder abuse is a confronting issue, often hidden behind closed doors. With one in six older Australians experiencing some form of abuse, it’s a growing concern for families across Victoria.1 Most perpetrators are not strangers but trusted individuals, often family members.2 Financial abuse, in particular, is one of the most common forms, frequently involving...
He was a decorated hero of World War II. Norman William Maddock signed up to fight at 17, served in Tobruk, and was captured during the fierce Battle of Crete before making a daring escape back to Allied lines. In his later years, however, this tenacious soldier faced a different kind of battle—one of failing...
Published by Hayton Kosky Lawyers Date: 13 August 2025 When the Great Australian Dream Becomes a Financial Nightmare It’s a story that sends a shiver down the spine of any aspiring property owner. A Melbourne mum recently made headlines after her dream apartment purchase left her $30,000 out of pocket. The culprit? A single, seemingly...
There’s a special kind of gobsmacking irony in the Australian government’s latest brain bubble: slapping a new tax on the very people who are actively trying to do the right thing. Federal MP Tanya Plibersek has called the idea of a new road tax for electric vehicle (EV) drivers “sensible” 1, a sentiment flagged earlier...
If you’ve ever fallen in love with a property at auction, only to discover the vendor’s reserve price was far higher than the advertised guide, you’re not alone. In Victoria, underquoting — advertising a property at a price lower than it is reasonably expected to sell for — has long been illegal under the Estate...
