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
National cornerstone guide to parenting orders under Part VII of the Family Law Act 1975 (Cth), updated for the 6 May 2024 reforms — best interests, safety, parental responsibility, family dispute resolution, evidence, court process, interim and urgent orders, relocation, recovery, contravention and variation.
A practical guide to making a valid Will in Victoria, including capacity, executors, beneficiaries, signing, witnessing, storage and later updates.
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.
A practical legal guide for purchasers considering commercial property in Victoria — contract review, due diligence, leases, GST, planning, settlement and the legal issues to address before signing.
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 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
Divorce, property, parenting and intervention orders.
Wills, testamentary trusts and planning for the future.
Grants of probate, executor duties and estate administration.
Contested wills, family provision (TFM) claims and estate disputes.
Enduring powers of attorney, medical decision-making and elder-law protections.
Retirement village contracts, aged care agreements, exits and disputes.
Binding death benefit nominations, SMSF succession and trustee control.
Contracts, structures, sales, acquisitions and business succession.
Buying, selling and leasing property in Victoria.
Workplace policies, performance, terminations and disputes for employers.
Court proceedings, mediation and dispute resolution.
Criminal, drink-driving and traffic matters in Victorian courts.
Recent additions
Treasury's July 2026 consultation paper proposes conditions for exempting testamentary trusts from the proposed 30% minimum trust tax from 1 July 2028. This article explains the announced exemption, the principal unresolved issues, and what will-makers, executors and trustees should consider now.
A practical Victorian legal guide to the Proof of Age card, acceptable photo ID at licensed venues, digital driver licences, ID confiscation and the criminal-law risks around fake ID.
A practical Victorian legal checklist for clearing a deceased estate, including executor authority, probate, belongings, valuables, documents, property, disputes, tax records and distribution risks.
A practical Victorian checklist of the legal and financial mistakes to avoid in the first weeks after a death — estate assets, funeral arrangements, bank accounts, probate, property, debts and executor authority.
A practical Victorian guide to challenging a will or estate after probate has been granted — family provision (TFM) claims, validity challenges, revocation of probate, caveats, distribution risks and the strict six-month time limit.
A practical executor's guide to Refundable Accommodation Deposits after a resident's death — how the RAD interacts with the estate, probate, provider correspondence, timing, records and beneficiary communication.
