Verde Lawyers

Prenuptial or binding financial agreements are often thought of as something only the rich and famous need. However, with rising divorce rates and many couples moving in together quickly, particularly due to Sydney’s challenging housing market, these agreements are more important than ever. You may even find yourself in a de facto relationship without realising it.   A binding financial agreement (BFA)  between a couple isn’t about keeping finances separate or disadvantaging

Wills are a crucial part of estate planning and facilitate the probate process. What happens if you die without ever making one?   The case of Jian Ming Li highlights these dangers. Jian died intestate (without a valid will) in March 2022. After his death, his son Cheng Zhang Li applied for Letters of Administration  as the sole child and next of kin, seeking to administer his late father’s estate.   However, the deceased’s brother, Jian Zhong Li, acting on behalf of their el

As our lives increasingly move online, digital assets, such as social media accounts, cryptocurrencies, and digital files, are becoming a significant part of probate cases. However, the legal framework for managing these assets remains underdeveloped.   The NSW Law Reform Commission’s 2019 report recommended creating an "access scheme" for digital records after death, including appointing a "digital executor" to manage these assets. To prepare, individuals should consider nam

As of 10 June 2025, there have been amendments to the Family Law Act 1975 , in regard to what constitutes family violence and how it is considered in property settlements.   These amendments greatly assist victims of family violence, as the economic impacts of financial abuse can be significant, and these amendments aim to alleviate these impacts.     Financial and economic abuse are now defined in the Act as family violence, and will be taken into account in the same way as