Parke Lawyers
A curated legal knowledge centre from the lawyers at Parke Lawyers — authored, reviewed and maintained in plain English. Browse by practice area or search the full library.
Pinned reading
What probate is, when it's required, and the practical steps executors must take to obtain a grant of probate in the Supreme Court of Victoria.
An overview of an executor's legal duties, common pitfalls, and how to administer a deceased estate properly under Victorian law.
How testamentary trusts work, when they're useful, and the asset-protection and tax-planning benefits they can offer your beneficiaries.
Why business owners need an estate plan, how different structures pass on, and the agreements and insurances that keep a business running after death.
A clear explanation of why every adult in Victoria should have a valid Will, what happens without one, and how to make sure your wishes are properly recorded.
A practical guide to enduring powers of attorney and medical treatment decision makers under Victorian law — and what happens if you don't have one.
By practice area
Wills, testamentary trusts and planning for the future.
Grants of probate, executor duties and estate administration.
Family provision claims, will disputes and estate litigation.
Enduring powers of attorney and medical treatment decisions.
Divorce, property, parenting and intervention orders.
Business structures, succession, contracts and risk.
Ownership transition, succession planning and family business continuity.
Buying, selling and leasing property in Victoria.
Workplace investigations, awards and employer obligations.
Court proceedings, mediation and dispute resolution.
Traffic offences and summary criminal matters.
Retirement village contracts, exits and disputes.
Recent additions
A plain-English guide to child support in Australia — how Services Australia calculates assessments, the statutory formula, care percentages, limited and binding child support agreements, lump sum arrangements, school fees, change of assessment, enforcement and overseas issues.
A plain-English guide to time limits for property settlement in Australia — the 12-month deadline for married couples, the 2-year limit for de facto couples, leave out of time, hardship requirements, and how to protect your rights after separation.
A plain-English guide to Consent Orders in Australian family law — how property and parenting agreements are formalised, the difference between consent orders and informal agreements or BFAs, filing requirements, enforcement, variation and when they are appropriate.
A practical guide to Binding Financial Agreements under Australian family law — pre-nups, during-relationship and post-separation agreements, validity, independent legal advice, set-aside grounds and how BFAs compare with consent orders.
A plain-English guide to the four-step property settlement process in Australian family law — identifying the pool, contributions, future needs, just and equitable, disclosure, super, businesses, trusts and inheritances, consent orders and court proceedings.
A practical step-by-step guide to divorce in Australia — the no-fault system, 12-month separation, sole and joint applications, filing, service, hearings, time limits and what happens after the order is made.
