Fixed Fee

Your Legal HQ strives to make cost arrangements which are based on fixed pricing wherever we can.

Your Legal HQ can charge a fixed fee for any work you need done. The quoted fee will either be paid up front or via a series of monthly instalments depending on the nature of the engagement.

This works particularly well for document preparation engagements, for the provision of written legal advice and for longer term engagements with a defined end point such as business mergers or acquisitions.

Provided the scope of the engagement doesn’t change, then the price will not change.

If you do change the scope of the engagement, then we will send a Variation Notice setting out the new scope and the varied price for that change.

Hourly rates

We can and do still charge hourly rates for work done, where that suits both parties.

Our engagement agreements specify all of our hourly rates and we can always issue itemised bills, so you know exactly what time was spent doing what on your matter.

Yes. In order to fully understand your circumstances and explore all possible issues, an initial meeting is required. Each meeting is charged at the hourly rate for the attending lawyer.

After the meeting, a cost agreement in writing will be sent to you for any additional agreed work you wish to proceed with.

We can conduct a video conference meeting over Zoom, however we only provide this service if you are remote or once you have already met with us in person at least once. We feel that an in person meeting is far more value for money than a video conference, when the fees are the same.

Video conferencing is best used for communicating updates, receiving status updates and viewing or sharing documents.

Generally, no.

Whilst we can assist in matters that may lead to disputes in court (negotiation and letters of demand), we will refer you to another solicitor or barrister that specialises with dispute resolution and court appearances.

Failing to document your legal relationships and transactions can be a recipe for disaster.

People change their minds. The economic cycle shifts and people who had plenty of money suddenly don’t. People are made redundant. There are illnesses, affairs & divorces, deaths and injuries. These are the things that people don’t see coming, but they turn people’s business lives upside down every single day.

Two or three people who were all pulling in the same direction yesterday are suddenly pulling in different directions today. And you have a dispute where no-one ever expected it. Without a proper agreement, you cannot know where you stand in that dispute situation.

If everything is agreed verbally, then a dispute usually means two inconsistent stories. Want to fight for your rights in that situation? Then you might as well toss a coin, because the judge has to decide who is telling the truth.

People think it’s expensive to have legal contracts prepared. But documenting an agreement costs a fraction of what it costs to resolve a dispute in court. And that’s where disputed transactions that are undocumented end up.

Prices start at $330 (ex GST) for a simple Will. However, the price increases if during the initial meeting your circumstances are medium to complex, which could be thousands of dollars.

It all depends on how much you wish to protect and from who, particularly if there are requirements for moving assets a paricular direction (down one family line), beneficiaries who have special needs or protecting assets from people who may challenge the Will later.

We have packages for couples which increase in price depending on the complexity of their situation. Click here to learn more.

Please note these are a guide only.

If a person dies without a will, the law sets out how their property will be shared after all the debts have been paid.

The Administration Act 1903 (WA) sets out the rules about how the property is shared. The rules are complicated and change, depending on:

• the value of the estate, and

• the type and number of family members the deceased had.

Without a will, it can be hard to work out who should apply for permission to deal with the deceased's estate.

Generally, anyone over the age of 18 who is entitled to a share of the estate can apply to the Probate Office of the Supreme Court to administer and distribute the property. This called applying for letters of administration and gives the person authority to deal with the estate.

Normally, the married or de facto partner of the deceased (or their next of kin) should apply for letters of administration. If a person entitled to a share of the estate is not available, the court can appoint another person or body as administrator of the estate.

Applying for letters of administration is complicated and may require us to guide you through the process as it involves dealing with the Supreme Court.

We don’t specialise in family law, but often work with family lawyers when assets are divided and there are businesses involved or tax issues as part of the division during divorce.

Often we determine the plan which serves the client best and the family lawyer works to deliver the plan in their area of expertise through the courts.