PENNY is talking to her neighbour, Wendy on the nature strip in front of their properties. A dispute arises between them when Wendy claims that the nature strip is her property and Penny is not allowed to do any gardening on the strip. After a heated exchange, Penny inadvertently touches Wendy’s hat, meaning to touch […]
‘On the couch’ with Jasminda
DEAR Jasminda, Every time I catch up with my friends the conversation always ends up leading to our despair over American politics. I catch up with them to escape negative things and sometimes I now leave feeling worse than when I arrived. What’s the answer? Katie L. Dear Katie, It’s hard to fathom some of […]
Easter Promises
Legal Hypothetical: Dispute regarding right to reside in home
FRANK and Betty have been in a de facto relationship for 20 years. Frank has three children as a result of a previous relationship. Frank seeks legal advice regarding his estate planning and in particular, how he can make a Will that “looks after” Betty, while preserving his estate for his three children. The solicitor […]
‘On the couch’ with Jasminda
DEAR Jasminda, WHENEVER I go to the supermarket for a couple of items, I end up leaving with a trolley full. How can I avoid the temptation and stick to my budget? Gloria V. Dear Gloria, It’s easy to feel defeated when you go into the supermarket for eggs and milk and return with two […]
Letter to the Editor: Fear campaigns work
DEAR News Of The Area, THE NSW National (Mining) Party has been making a lot of noise lately about “youth crime”. In their quest for relevance they have chosen a campaign against a group that we all have a legitimate right to fear: young people! I blame rock and roll myself but that might be […]
Legal Hypothetical: Time to tick-off a new year’s resolution
AS is common for many people at this time of year, Jack and Jill make a new year’s resolution to “get their house in order” in terms of their estate planning. They see a solicitor specialising in this field and are advised that the traditional estate planning package consists of three separate documents, being a […]
‘On the couch’ with Jasminda
DEAR Jasminda, There has been a lot of angst about people setting up their cabanas on beaches lately. A good friend of mine thinks they ruin the beach, but we got one for Christmas which makes going to the beach with her a bit uncomfortable. How do I handle this? Karen Q. Ah, summer […]
Letter to the Editor: Koala situation only part of the forestry issue
THE Member for Oxley Michael Kemp appears to be the National’s new kid on the block when it comes to justifying native forest logging in our coastal forests. Repeating the same old National Party mantra over and over again doesn’t make it true. He would do well to read David Lindenmayer’s ‘The Forest Wars’, an […]