Family and Matrimonial Matters
What should I bring to a discussion about a family matter?
Bring the documents you already have, including relevant certificates, agreements, correspondence, and court orders. A short timeline and a list of your questions can help organise the discussion. The documents needed will depend on the issue.
Is an existing agreement or court order relevant?
Yes. Bring a complete copy of any agreement or order, together with information about what has happened since it was made. Its terms and the circumstances will need to be considered before advice can be given about the next step.
Civil Litigation
What should I do with court papers I have received?
Keep the complete documents and any accompanying envelope or notice. Record when and how they were received, and bring any stated hearing or response dates to an attorney's attention promptly. The appropriate response depends on the documents and the circumstances.
What information helps explain a civil dispute?
A dated sequence of events, the relevant agreements, and records of payments or communications provide a useful starting point. Include information that may be unfavourable to your position so that the discussion is based on a complete account.
Criminal Matters
Which documents are relevant to a criminal matter?
Bring any charge documents, summonses, bail papers, court orders, or correspondence relating to the matter. Keep the full documents together and note any upcoming court date. Further information may be needed after they are reviewed.
Can general online information tell me how to respond to a charge?
No. A response depends on the allegation, evidence, procedural stage, and applicable law. An individual discussion with an attorney is needed to consider those matters; an article or FAQ cannot assess a particular case.
Property and Conveyancing
What documents help with an initial property discussion?
Available deeds or title documents, survey plans, the proposed agreement, and relevant correspondence are useful starting points. If you do not have a particular document, make a note of that rather than assuming what it contains.
When can a proposed property agreement be reviewed?
An agreement can be discussed while its terms are still being considered. Bring the complete document, including schedules and attachments, and identify any payment or signing date that has been proposed. If it has already been signed, say when and provide that version.
Land Disputes
What information is useful in a boundary dispute?
Bring available deeds, plans, photographs, correspondence, and a factual account of the disagreement. Note when the issue arose and any changes to the property that are relevant. The documents and circumstances will guide what further information is needed.
What if the land has been used by a family for many years?
Explain that history, including who occupied or used the land, the approximate dates, and any arrangements that were made. Bring supporting records where available. Length of occupation alone is not enough information for this website to determine ownership or other rights.
Probate and Estate Administration
Are probate and letters of administration the same?
They are different forms of grant. Probate generally concerns an executor appointed in a will. Letters of administration may be relevant where there is no valid will, and a separate form can apply where there is a will but an executor cannot act. The circumstances determine the appropriate application.
What information should I gather about an estate?
Start with the death certificate, any will, relevant family information, and the asset records already available. Make a separate note of missing documents or uncertain details. The information required for an application will depend on the estate and the applicant's circumstances.
Employment Matters
What if I do not have a written employment contract?
Gather the records that describe the working arrangement, such as offer letters, messages, payslips, work schedules, and policies. Explain what was agreed and how the arrangement operated. Advice will depend on the facts and the issue being considered.
What should I bring if my employment has ended?
Bring your agreement, any termination letter or notice, relevant workplace correspondence, and available pay records. Note the important dates and any process that took place before the employment ended. Identify any deadline mentioned in the documents.
Contracts
Can I discuss a contract before signing it?
Yes. Bring the complete proposed agreement and explain what you understand the arrangement to involve. Identify any clause you do not understand and any date by which a response has been requested.
What if a disagreement has arisen under a contract?
Keep the signed agreement, any amendments, and records of performance, payment, and communications. A timeline can help explain what each party did and when the disagreement began. The agreement and circumstances need to be reviewed before the available steps can be assessed.