DEAR Jasminda, OUR home was adorned with beautifully framed photographic memories of our travels and adventures. Over the past few visits from in-laws, these memories have all been replaced with watercolours. Is this something to embrace or something to mourn? Brett P. Dear Brett, What an unusual conundrum. Are you suggesting your in-laws are perhaps […]
WENDY passes away, leaving four adult children. One of her children, Larry has been through an acrimonious and expensive family law property settlement and as a consequence no longer owns a home. Wendy’s other children are relatively well-off, so she makes a Will, giving her home to Larry and the rest of her estate to […]
DEAR Jasminda, A mutual friend often offers me job opportunities during social gatherings, but doesn’t mention the subject again until the next time we catch up. Should I take these offers seriously and seek further information, or brush them off? Katie L. Dear Katie, Social situations often involve social lubricants. Is your mutual friend half-tanked […]
PENDING the birth of their first child, Peter and Jane were staying with Jane’s mother, Betty. At the time, Betty was involved in a difficult divorce with her husband. They agree that if Peter and Jane help Betty with finance, they can retain the home and in return they would be registered on title. As […]
EVERY night, the stars wink down at us like ancient storytellers, daring us to come closer. They’ve been hanging there for billions of years, teasing us with the possibility that someone – or something – might be staring back. The great cosmic question is simple yet maddening: will we ever actually visit another star? The […]
DEAR News Of The Area, I HAVE been disappointed to see workers like me who may well lose our jobs because of the Great Koala National Park be treated like an afterthought. No questions have been asked to check the government’s claim they have a fair package for workers. No research seems to have been […]
DEAR Jasminda, On my rostered day off last week I went for a day trip to the beach. After getting a bit too much sun, I rolled over and noticed Amy, who is a junior work colleague, swimming in the ocean with her kids. She was on a work from home day (approved by me). […]
MATTHEW is married and runs his own business. He obtains income protection insurance. Unfortunately, Matthew’s marriage breaks down. A few years later he is diagnosed with schizophrenia. Matthew finds it difficult to work consistently and claims income protection payments on his policy. When his mother passes away, after developing dementia, Matthew’s mental state suffers a […]
