Plain answers to the questions Melbourne property owners, business owners and families ask their lawyer.https://www.joshilawyers.com.au/en-auhttps://www.joshilawyers.com.au/blog/victoria-auction-reserve-price-rules-october-2026/https://www.joshilawyers.com.au/blog/victoria-auction-reserve-price-rules-october-2026/From 1 October 2026 a Victorian auction reserve must be published for seven days before the hammer falls. The section 32 and deposit rules change next. Here is what it does to your campaign.Sat, 07 Nov 2026 22:00:00 GMTnewsauctionsunderquotingsection 32depositsConsumer Legislation Amendment Act 2026Dinesh Joshihttps://www.joshilawyers.com.au/blog/stamp-duty-victoria-first-home-buyer-2026/https://www.joshilawyers.com.au/blog/stamp-duty-victoria-first-home-buyer-2026/Nothing under $600,000, a sliding scale to $750,000, and the full bill above that. Worked examples at $600k, $650k, $700k and $900k, plus the off-the-plan concession that runs to April 2027.Wed, 04 Nov 2026 22:00:00 GMTproperty-lawstamp dutyfirst home buyerland transfer dutyoff the planSRODinesh Joshihttps://www.joshilawyers.com.au/blog/property-settlement-after-separation-how-it-works/https://www.joshilawyers.com.au/blog/property-settlement-after-separation-how-it-works/There is no 50/50 rule. The court works through four steps, and since 10 June 2025 those steps are written into the Family Law Act, including the economic effect of family violence and who keeps the dog.Mon, 02 Nov 2026 22:00:00 GMTfamily-lawproperty settlementseparationFamily Law Actfamily violencesuperannuationconsent orderstime limitsDinesh Joshihttps://www.joshilawyers.com.au/blog/commercial-lease-clauses-that-cost-tenants/https://www.joshilawyers.com.au/blog/commercial-lease-clauses-that-cost-tenants/A commercial lease is the largest contract most small businesses sign and the least read. Rent reviews, outgoings, make good, options, guarantees: here is where the money goes, and the protections a retail tenant already has under Victorian law.Fri, 30 Oct 2026 22:00:00 GMTcommercial-lawcommercial leaseretail leaseRetail Leases Act 2003rent reviewoutgoingsmake goodoptionspersonal guaranteeDinesh Joshihttps://www.joshilawyers.com.au/blog/divorce-australia-12-month-rule-cost-timeline/https://www.joshilawyers.com.au/blog/divorce-australia-12-month-rule-cost-timeline/You cannot apply until you have been separated for 12 months. After that, a divorce is mostly a form, a fee and a four-month wait. Here is the timeline, the court fee, and the four situations that need an extra document.Tue, 27 Oct 2026 22:00:00 GMTfamily-lawdivorceseparation12 monthscourt feesFCFCOAseparation under one roofDinesh Joshihttps://www.joshilawyers.com.au/blog/section-32-vendor-statement-checklist/https://www.joshilawyers.com.au/blog/section-32-vendor-statement-checklist/A vendor statement is the only document in a Victorian sale that gives a buyer a right to rescind up to settlement. Here is what must be in it, what to read first, and how section 32K works.Fri, 23 Oct 2026 22:00:00 GMTproperty-lawsection 32vendor statementdue diligenceeasementsowners corporationbuilding permitsDinesh Joshihttps://www.joshilawyers.com.au/blog/selling-a-business-victoria-what-stalls-settlement/https://www.joshilawyers.com.au/blog/selling-a-business-victoria-what-stalls-settlement/A business sale takes six to ten weeks from heads of agreement to completion when it runs well. It runs badly for predictable reasons: the lease, the licence, the staff, the finance on the equipment. Here is the list, and the one statutory document most sellers have never heard of.Tue, 20 Oct 2026 22:00:00 GMTcommercial-lawbusiness salesection 52lease assignmentliquor licencePPSRgoing concernrestraint of tradeDinesh Joshihttps://www.joshilawyers.com.au/blog/dying-without-a-will-victoria-intestacy/https://www.joshilawyers.com.au/blog/dying-without-a-will-victoria-intestacy/The Administration and Probate Act decides who gets what, in a fixed order, and it is not always your partner. Here is the order, the statutory legacy, and the three assets a will does not control anyway.Fri, 16 Oct 2026 22:00:00 GMTwillswillsintestacyprobateAdministration and Probate Actsuperannuationestate planningDinesh Joshihttps://www.joshilawyers.com.au/blog/cooling-off-period-victoria/https://www.joshilawyers.com.au/blog/cooling-off-period-victoria/You have three clear business days to walk away from a private sale contract and it costs $100 or 0.2% of the price. Here is how the days are counted, what you lose, and when the right does not exist at all.Tue, 13 Oct 2026 22:00:00 GMTproperty-lawcooling offsection 31Sale of Land Actauctionscontract reviewDinesh Joshihttps://www.joshilawyers.com.au/blog/conveyancing-cost-melbourne-what-you-are-paying-for/https://www.joshilawyers.com.au/blog/conveyancing-cost-melbourne-what-you-are-paying-for/A conveyancing quote has three parts: the fee, the disbursements and the government charges. Most online quotes show you one. Here is the full settlement statement for a $900,000 purchase, line by line.Fri, 09 Oct 2026 22:00:00 GMTproperty-lawconveyancingfeesdisbursementssettlementPEXAcontract reviewDinesh Joshi