Legal Advice
Obtain legal advice that give you peace of mind
At Forward Path Advisory, we recognise the critical role that legal advice plays in a comprehensive financial plan. Legal considerations are essential to ensure that your financial strategies are effective, compliant, and aligned with your long term objectives. Our services encompass estate planning, business structuring, asset protection, and risk management.
Whether you’re preparing for retirement, planning a business succession, or aiming to distribute your assets according to your wishes, our legal advisory services offer the expertise necessary to safeguard your wealth. We collaborate with trusted legal professionals to navigate the complexities of wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and tax efficient structures, ensuring your financial strategies adhere to current laws and regulations, thereby mitigating potential risks.
Our team works in tandem with legal experts to deliver integrated solutions that address contract law, corporate governance, and family law as needed, providing you with confidence in the security and compliance of your financial future. From retirement planning to establishing a business succession plan, we manage every legal facet, allowing you to concentrate on achieving your financial goals. Serving clients in Melbourne and throughout Australia, we are dedicated to offering tailored legal solutions within your broader financial plan, aiming to protect your assets and secure your financial future.
Areas of Advice
Navigating legal matters can be complex and challenging. Seeking professional legal advice ensures that your rights are protected and that you receive guidance tailored to your specific situation.
Highly Qualified Legal Professionals
Decades of legal experience
Transparency and Simplicity
Simple wills and powers of attorney
A simple will specifies how your assets are distributed after your death, ensuring your wishes are honoured and simplifying the legal process for your beneficiaries.
Testamentary and family trusts
A testamentary trust is established through a will and becomes effective upon the testator's death, allowing for the management and distribution of assets to beneficiaries according to specified terms.
VCAT for guardianship & administration orders
The Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) can appoint a guardian to make personal and lifestyle decisions, and an administrator to manage financial and legal affairs, for adults with disabilities who lack decision-making capacity.
Probate and letters of administration
In Victoria, when an individual passes away, their estate is administered through either probate or letters of administration, depending on the presence of a valid will.
Deceased estate administration
Deceased estate administration involves managing a deceased person's assets, including applying for a Grant of Representation—either probate (with a valid will) or letters of administration (without a valid will)—to legally distribute the estate.
Contested wills advice
In Victoria, eligible individuals—such as spouses, children, and dependents—can contest a will by filing a Testator's Family Maintenance (TFM) claim within six months of the grant of probate. It's essential to act promptly and seek legal advice, as extensions are rare and depend on specific circumstances.
Family law financial agreements
Binding Financial Agreements (BFAs) are legally binding contracts under the Family Law Act 1975 that allow couples to outline the division of assets and financial resources in the event of a relationship breakdown. They can be established before, during, or after a marriage or de facto relationship. To ensure enforceability, both parties must receive independent legal advice regarding the agreement's implications.
Matrimonial and de facto property settlements
In Australia, both married and de facto couples can seek property settlements upon separation. The Family Law Act 1975 provides a framework for dividing assets and liabilities equitably, considering factors like contributions and future needs. De facto couples must meet specific criteria, such as a relationship duration of at least two years or having a child together, and must apply within two years of separation. Seeking legal advice is essential to understand your rights and ensure compliance with legal requirements during property settlements.
Superannuation legal matters
Superannuation in Australia is governed by complex legal frameworks addressing taxation, compliance, and prudential issues. Employers are legally obligated to contribute to employees' superannuation funds under the Superannuation Guarantee (Administration) Act 1992. Non-compliance can lead to significant legal consequences. Additionally, the establishment and management of self-managed superannuation funds (SMSFs) require adherence to specific legal requirements to ensure compliance and optimal retirement outcomes.
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