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...
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...
Selling property in Victoria can be a long game. From the day of sale to the settlement date, months can pass, and for many vendors, the deposit sitting in a trust account can feel tantalisingly close yet frustratingly out of reach. It’s no surprise that the question often arises: can we get that deposit released...
The proposed Division 296 tax, targeting superannuation balances over $3 million, presents a significant challenge for many Australians. This additional 15% tax on investment earnings above the threshold effectively doubles the tax rate on those earnings to 30%, making sophisticated mitigation strategies a necessity for high-balance super members. While the legislation has lapsed and will...
The journey to homeownership in Victoria, once a predictable path, has become an “impossible” dream for an entire generation of first home buyers1. The stark reality is that for most Victorians, purchasing a first home is now financially unattainable without significant family assistance or extraordinary circumstances2. This crisis is more than just a market...
The energy landscape in Victoria is undergoing a significant transformation, with 10 regional towns set to lose their mains gas supply by the end of 2026. This development affects approximately 1,100 customers across Marong, Terang, Lakes Entrance, Orbost, Heathcote, Nathalia, Swan Hill, Maldon, Robinvale, and Kerang, raising important questions about consumer rights and legal protections...
Introduction: Planning for Profit, Not Pitfalls In Victoria’s dynamic property market, success for developers is increasingly defined by strategic foresight rather than chance. With the state’s planning system undergoing significant updates in 2025, including changes to ResCode and the introduction of new development standards, understanding the legal landscape is more critical than ever. This is...
A Practitioner’s Guide to High-Risk Conveyancing Encounters An Anonymous Perspective from the Legal Trenches Disclaimer: This post reflects the anonymous author’s professional observations and experience. It is intended for educational discussion only. No specific allegations are made against any individual or entity. There comes a moment in many practitioners’ careers when a contract lands on...
The intersection of criminal prosecutions and private property rights often creates legal complexity, particularly where property is both the subject of private contractual dealings and potential criminal forfeiture. The recent case of Erin Patterson—convicted in July 2025 in relation to the tragic mushroom poisoning of three family members—has raised critical legal issues about the priorities...
In the legal profession, integrity is the cornerstone upon which justice is built. A lawyer’s duty to the court and to the administration of justice is paramount, demanding unimpeachable honesty. Following our discussion of the fundamental rules a legal practitioner must adhere to, we now turn to a critical and absolute prohibition: the backdating...
