All FAQs (Helpie FAQ)

To arrange a consultation, give us a call on (07) 3288 3511, or complete the enquiry form on our website. A member of our friendly team will be in touch to confirm a time that suits you.

For your first appointment, please bring along any documents relevant to your matter. For property matters, this might include a contract of sale or property details. For estate planning, bring any existing wills, powers of attorney, and personal identification. Having these on hand will help us provide accurate and efficient advice from the outset.

GLG Legal Springfield offers trusted legal support across several key areas, including residential and commercial conveyancing, wills and estates, retirement village contracts, and business law. With decades of experience, we’re committed to providing clear, practical advice tailored to your needs.

Yes, if properly authorised, a Power of Attorney can sell property, manage finances, and access bank accounts on your behalf. However, they must always act in your best interests and within the limits set out in the legal document. Yes, a Power of Attorney can sell property, manage finances and access bank accounts, if properly authorised. They are required to always act in your best interests and within the limits that have been set.

In Queensland, a Power of Attorney must be completed using the approved forms and signed in front of a qualified witness, such as a solicitor. The cost varies depending on the complexity of your situation. At Springfield Legals, we offer clear fixed-fee packages to give you confidence and clarity from the start. To create a Power of Attorney in Queensland, it must be completed using the approved forms and signed in front of a qualified witness, such as a solicitor. The cost can vary, it depends on how complex your situation is. At GLG Legal Springfield, we offer clear fixed-packages, so that you have the confidence to make the right move, according to your circumstances.

A Power of Attorney is a legal document that allows you to appoint someone you trust to make financial and legal decisions on your behalf. This can be useful if you become unwell, are travelling, or simply want someone to help manage your affairs. Without one in place, it may be difficult for loved ones to assist you if something unexpected happens. A Power of Attorney (POA) is a legal document used to appoint someone you trust to act as a financial and legal decision maker on your behalf. They can help if you become unwell, are travelling, or simply want someone else to manage your affairs. Without a POA, it can be difficult for loved ones to help if something unexpected happens.

The best person to appoint is someone you trust implicitly to act in your best interests. This could be a spouse, adult child, close friend, or professional adviser. They should be organised, financially responsible, and willing to take on the role. It’s generally recommended to choose someone who you trust to act reliably in your interests. It could be your spouse, adult child, close friend or a professional adviser. The person acting as your POA should be organised, financially responsible, and willing.

A general Power of Attorney is usually used for short-term purposes and stops operating if you lose decision-making capacity. An enduring Power of Attorney continues to operate if you lose capacity, making it essential for long-term planning and aged care decisions. A General Power of Attorney is commonly used for short periods and is no longer valid if you lose decision-making capacity. An Enduring Power of Attorney continues to operate if you lose capacity, it’s essential for long-term and aged care decision making.

It's a good idea to engage a commercial lawyer when starting a business, entering into significant contracts, planning a restructure, or facing a dispute. Early legal advice can help avoid costly mistakes and ensure your business is properly protected. At Springfield Legals, I aim to be a trusted advisor at every key milestone. There are a number of situations where hiring a Commercial Lawyer would be a good decision. You should look to engage one when starting a business, entering significant contracts, planning a restructure or facing a dispute. To avoid costly mistakes it’s best to get legal advice as soon as possible to ensure your business is protected.

Yes. A commercial lawyer plays an essential role in buying or selling a business by conducting due diligence, drafting agreements, managing negotiations, and ensuring the transaction complies with all legal requirements. At Springfield Legals, I guide clients through each step to help them achieve a smooth and secure outcome. Absolutely, it is essential to work with a Commercial Lawyer when buying or selling a business. They will conduct due diligence, draft agreements, manage negotiations, and ensure the transaction complies with all legal requirements.

Commercial lawyers work with a wide range of contracts, including supplier agreements, service contracts, shareholder agreements, partnership deeds, leases, and confidentiality agreements. At Springfield Legals, I tailor contract advice and drafting to fit each client’s specific business needs. A commercial lawyer will work a variety of contracts, these include supplier agreements, service contracts, shareholder agreements, partnership deeds, leases, and confidentiality agreements. At GLG Legal Springfield we can tailor contract advice and draft to meet your specific business needs.

A commercial lawyer helps businesses deal with legal issues that arise during day-to-day operations. This includes drafting and reviewing contracts, advising on compliance, resolving disputes, and supporting mergers, acquisitions, and other transactions. At Springfield Legals, I work closely with clients to protect their interests and support their long-term success. Commercial lawyers help businesses deal with relevant legal issues that come up in operations. This can include drafting and reviewing contracts, providing advice on compliance, resolving disputes and supporting mergers, acquisitions and other transactions. GLG Springfield works closely with a number of organisations to protect their interest and support long-term success.

These roles often overlap, but there are differences. A commercial lawyer usually focuses on contracts, transactions, and corporate structures. A business lawyer might also advise on employment issues, internal policies, and regulatory compliance. At Springfield Legals, I provide support across both areas to meet the legal needs of businesses at every stage. The role of a Commercial and a Business Lawyer often overlap, but there are some key differences. A Commercial Lawyer focused on contracts, transactions and structures, whereas a Business Lawyer will advise on employment, policies and compliance.

Family lawyers handle a range of issues, including divorce, child custody and support, property settlements, spousal maintenance, and domestic violence matters. They offer legal advice, represent clients in court, and assist with negotiations and agreements to resolve disputes. Family Law is an umbrella term for a number of services. Our lawyers handle a range of issues including divorce, child custody and support, property settlements, spousal maintenance, and domestic violence matters. We offer advice, represent clients in court, and assist with negotiations and agreements to resolve disputes.

Engaging a family lawyer can be a valuable investment, especially in complex cases. Legal representation often leads to more favorable outcomes, such as higher compensation or more equitable settlements, compared to self-representation. Moreover, lawyers can help navigate the legal system efficiently, potentially saving time and reducing stress. ​ Family Lawyers are certainly a wise investment, especially in complex cases. Having an experienced lawyer at your side often leads to the best outcomes, like higher compensation or more equitable settlements, when compared to self-representations. A good lawyer will save you time and reduce stress.

Family lawyer fees in Australia typically range from $300 to $600 per hour, depending on the lawyer's experience and the complexity of the case. More intricate matters, such as those involving substantial assets or contested parenting arrangements, can lead to total costs exceeding $100,000. The fees for a Family Lawyer in Australia depend on the lawyer’s experience and the complexity of the matter. Hourly fees tend to range from $300 to $600, but more intricate matters involving substantial assets or contested parenting arrangements can lead to higher costs.

It's advisable to seek legal advice when considering separation, facing disputes over parenting or property, experiencing family violence, or navigating complex financial matters. Early consultation can help you understand your rights, obligations, and the best course of action. It’s best to seek legal advice when you’re considering separation, facing parenting or property disputes, experiencing domestic violence or navigating complicated financial situations. Consulting a lawyer in the early stages can bring a number of advantages in terms of understanding your rights, obligations and the best course of action.

If you cannot afford legal representation, you may be eligible for assistance through Legal Aid, which considers your income and assets. Additionally, community legal centres and duty lawyer services offer free legal advice and support for those who qualify. In the case you cannot afford a lawyer, you may be eligible for assistance through Legal Aid, depending on your income and assets. Community legal centres and duty lawyer services can also offer free advice and support for people who qualify.

Notarial fees vary depending on the type and number of documents. At Springfield Legals, we offer transparent and competitive pricing. You can contact our office directly for a quote based on your specific requirements. Fees vary depending on the type and number of documents to be notarised. At GLG Legal Springfield, we have transparent and competitive pricing and you can contact us directly for a quote based on your specific needs.

Online notarisation is generally not accepted for international documents. Most foreign authorities require documents to be physically signed and stamped by a Notary Public. At Springfield Legals, we provide in-person appointments to ensure your documents meet international legal standards. For international documents, online notarisation is not accepted. Foreign authorities require documents to be physically signed and stamped by a qualified Notary Public. At GLG Legal Springfield, we provide in-person appointments for Notary services.

A Notary Public is a senior legal practitioner who is authorised to witness signatures, certify documents, and administer oaths for use both in Australia and internationally. Unlike a Justice of the Peace (JP), a Notary’s seal and signature are legally recognised overseas. A Notary Public is a legal practitioner who is authorised to witness signatures, certify documents and administer oaths recognised in Australia and internationally. Christopher Saines, the managing Director at GLG Legal Springfield is a qualified Notary Public.

No. While JPs and police officers can witness some documents in Australia, they are not qualified as Notaries Public. Only a practicing lawyer who has been appointed by a Supreme Court as a Notary Public can perform notarial acts that are recognised internationally. JPs and police officers are not a Notary Public. They can witness some documents in Australia they are not appointed by a Supreme Court and are not qualified to witness documents to be recognised internationally.

When a document is notarised, it means a Notary Public has officially verified its authenticity, or witnessed a person’s signature on the document. This process is often required for legal or commercial documents that are to be used overseas. A notarised document, is a document that has been officially verified or witnessed by a Notary Public. The process is often required for legal or commercial documents that are to be used overseas.

Costs vary depending on complexity, but a basic will prepared by a lawyer in Queensland typically starts around $300 to $600.

• Complex estate planning, such as including trusts or blended family considerations, may involve higher fees.
• The Public Trustee may offer wills at no upfront cost, but often charges significant fees when administering the estate, which can reduce what your beneficiaries receive.

The cost to prepare a Will can vary depending on complexity. A basic Will prepared by a lawyer at GLG Legal Springfield costs $440 (subject to change). Complex estate planning, like including trusts may involve higher fees.

Not always. Probate is a court process confirming a will's validity, but it is only required in certain situations:

• If the estate includes significant assets such as real property or shares, or
• If banks or other asset holders request it before releasing funds. Smaller estates or those with jointly held assets may not need probate. A lawyer can advise whether probate is needed in your situation.

Probate is not always required. Probate is a court process that validates a Will, but is only necessary in certain situations. If the estate holds significant assets such as property or shares, or if banks or other asset holders request it in order to release funds.

To be legally valid in Queensland, a will must meet a few key requirements:

• It must be in writing.
• The will-maker (testator) must be over 18 and of sound mind.
• It must be signed by the will-maker in the presence of two witnesses.
• Those witnesses must also sign the will, ideally in each other’s presence. While it is possible to write your own will, errors in drafting or execution can make it invalid or lead to disputes. Legal advice helps ensure your intentions are clearly and properly documented.

To be legally Valid in Queensland a Will must be in writing, the Will-maker (testor) must be over 18 and of sound mind, it must be signed in the presence of two witnesses, and the witnesses must also sign the Will. It is possible to write your own Will, although errors can make it invalid or lead to disputes.

Yes, you can contest a Will if you believe yourself or someone else have been unfairly left out or not properly provided for. In Queensland, spouses, children and dependants are eligible to make a Family Provision Claim.

Technically, no, but it is strongly recommended. DIY will kits, including those from the post office or newsagents, may seem convenient but are often too generic and easy to get wrong.

• A lawyer ensures your will is valid, tailored to your situation, and less likely to be disputed.
• This is especially important if you have children from previous relationships, significant assets, or complex family arrangements.

The technical answer is no, although using a lawyer is highly recommended. DIY Will kits, including the kits found at the post office or newsagent, might seem easy, they are often far too generic and easy to mess up.

Conveyancing in Queensland tends to cost between $800 to $1,500 plus disbursements. It all depends on the property and complexity of the transaction. Some firms offer fixed-fee services while others may hit you with unexpected charges, at GLG Legal Springfield we offer transparent pricing so you know the price before making a decision.

While it’s technically possible, we don’t recommend it. Property law is complex and missing details can lead to costly mistakes. By using one of our professionals, we can ensure your contracts are correct, timelines are met, and you’re protected every step of the way.

Generally, the conveyancing process will take 30 to 60 days, but it depends on contract terms and conditions. Delays can occur due to finance or building and pest inspections. But our team will keep things on track and keep you in the loop.

When buying or selling property, a conveyancer handles all of the legal and administrative duties. This includes, contact review, searches, dealing with banks and agents, ensuring legal compliance, and managing settlement.

Getting advice before making an offer will bring peace of mind, especially when looking at contract conditions and timeframes. Engaging a conveyancer is not necessary, it is highly recommended to protect your interests and flag risks early on.

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