The OHL Wire issue 3

THE

OHL WIRE

NEWSLETTER

August 2014

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GET HIM TO THE GREEK

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ROBIN WILLIAMS

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WHY AUSTRALIANS ARE MOVING AWAY FROM DIY WILLS

LEGAL – WEALTH PROTECTION – INVESTMENTS – BUSINESS – LIFESTYLE – SYDNEY

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THE 3 SECRETS BEHIND EFFECTIVE PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

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WHAT’S ON IN SYDNEY

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Get Him to The GReek WHILE WE CAN’T OFFER TO WHISK YOU AWAY ON A SUMMER HOLIDAY TO THE MEDITERRANEAN, WE HAVE COMPLIED A LIST OF THE PREMIER GREEK RESTAURANTS IN SYDNEY WHICH ARE GUARANTEED TO TAKE YOUR TASTEBUDS ON A CROSS ATLANTIC JOURNEY.

MEDUSA GREEK TAVERNA

STEKI TAVERNA

2 Market St, Sydney

2 O’Connell St, Newtown

It’s casual yet smart, affordable yet good quality and the menu is full of old favourites that have been given a modern revival. Medusa’s renowned chef Gregori Akridas uses only the freshest produce available and the finest ingredients sourced directly from Greece. Try the signature slow-cooked juicy side of lamb with lemon potatoes.

Gregori Akridas has achieved a delicate balance with this CBD establishment making it one of the most popular Greek restaurants in town.

After 25 years in the business, Steki Taverna has long been considered one of Sydney’s best Greek restaurants. Those who go, go often. There are no surprises on the menu; it’s full of the usual authentic suspects, done very well and authentic. Start off with the Bekri Mezze; pork pieces pan fried in olive oil, lemon juice, salt and pepper with a dash of hot chilli.The atmosphere is authentic with Greek music and dancing on Friday and Saturday nights.

THE APOLLO

AESOP’S

44 Macleay Street, Potts Point

131 Macquarie Street, CBD

The duo behind this Greek restaurant in Sydney certainly know a thing or two about making a splash in the dining scene. Jonathan Barthelmess and Sam Christie have teamed up to deliver a bright little neighborhood favorite with food that feels both classic and contemporary. The Mediterranean menu is perfectly complemented by The Apollo’s modern, stripped-back aesthetic. The slowcooked lamb with lemon Greek yoghurt is must. Finish up with fresh chunks of watermelon marinated in ouzo and topped with lemon granita and make plans to return - polí nóstimos!

Aesop’s is the perfect entertainment venue for any lively event, from a Girl’s Night or a corporate function to a Big Fat Greek wedding, offering an eclectic Mediterranean menu and a beautiful outlook across to the Botanic Gardens and Conservatorium of Music. Aesop’s is a great choice to experience Greek cuisine. Proprietor James Gamvros will fill your stomach and have you on your feet dancing the Zorba or partying to Katy Perry. Celebrate a night in Sydney like you’re on the Greek islands!

ROBIN WILLIAMS On August 11th 2014, the world stood still with the news of Robin William’s passing; one of the world’s most beloved actors. The Chicago native moved to New York City in the 1970s to pursue his career in acting after receiving a full scholarship at the famed Julliard School where he met fellow actor and life-long friend Christopher Reeve.

William’s breakout role was in 1978 in the hit TV series Mork & Mindy; he would go on to play Mork for four seasons. Williams went on to establish a successful career in both stand-up comedy and feature film acting.

His film career included such acclaimed films Good Morning, Vietnam (1987), Dead

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Poets Society (1989), and Good Will Hunting (1997), as well as financial successes such as Popeye (1980), Hook (1991), Aladdin (1992), Mrs. Doubtfire (1993), Jumanji (1995), The Birdcage (1996), Night at the Museum (2006), and Happy Feet (2006). Nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actor three times, Williams received the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in Good Will Hunting. He also received two Emmy Awards, four Golden Globe Awards, two Screen Actors Guild Awards and five Grammy Awards.

the funny man that they’d grown up with.

U.S. President Barack Obama summarised Williams perfectly: “(Williams was) an airman, a doctor, a genie, a nanny, a president, a professor, a bangarang Peter Pan, and everything in between. But he was one of a kind. He arrived in our lives as an alien – but he ended up touching every element of the human spirit. He made us laugh. He made us cry. He gave his immeasurable talent freely and generously to those who needed it most – from our troops stationed abroad to the marginalized on our own streets.”

Williams’ passing at his Californian home affected millions who remembered him as

RIP Robin Williams July 21, 1951 – August 11, 2014

OWEN HODGE LAWYERS

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Disastrous Celebrity Wills

And What You Can Learn from Them)

EVEN WITH THE MONETARY MEANS TO SOURCE THE BEST LEGAL COUNSEL, CELEBRITIES OFTEN LEAVE CONTENTIOUS WILLS. HERE ARE THREE CELEBRITIES WHO HAD INDETERMINABLE WILLS THAT PUT THEIR LOVED ONES THROUGH YEARS OF PAINFUL COURTROOM DEBATE, AND WHAT YOU CAN LEARN FROM THEM:

Gary Coleman

When former child star Gary Coleman passed in Utah in 2010, he left a modest group of assets, namely a home with a mortgage and some acting royalties.

Unfortunately, Coleman also left behind dueling Wills, which sparked a lengthy court fight between his former manager and ex-wife which he left his entire estate to through a bizarre handwritten codicil.

In 2012, a Judge ruled Coleman’s codicil inadmissible. The lesson: never update your Will yourself; always seek a legal professional to make any amendments otherwise they could be deemed invalid.

According to a NSW Trustee & Guardian’s report, 45% of Australians do not have a valid Will; some legal institutions report that figure to be as high as 60%. Alarmingly, in the event of death or incapacitation, almost half of the population are not legally covered to have their final wishes executed. If an individual dies without a valid Will, they are deemed ‘intestate’, and their assets will be divided according to a pre-determined formula dictated by the Australian government. If you die intestate and have no locatable family closer than cousins, the State government may absorb your entire estate; this is a distressing thought for most.

Preparing your own Will is not advisable.

For a Will to be executed, it must adhere to a number of strict legal requirements.

Statistically, ‘DIY’ wills are often challenged by the Courts. If you’re not legally qualified

OVER 60 YEARS OF TRUSTED EXPERIENCE

Steve McNair

Anna Nicole Smith

In 2009, retired NFL quarterback Steve McNair was shot dead by his 20-year-old mistress. Despite owning a $19 million estate, McNair never drafted a Will and as a result his distraught family were put through a lengthy probate process trying to unfreeze his assets. During this time, the court demanded that McNair’s mother pay $3,000 rent a month on a home previously covered by her deceased son. The lesson: if you have significant long-term financial obligations concerning others (such as paying a child’s school fees), consider a revocable living will to ensure that commitment is maintained in the event of your death or incapacitation.

In 2009, 39-year-old former Guess model and reality TV star Anna Nicole Smith died from an overdose of prescription drugs.

The sole beneficiary of Smith’s estate was her son Daniel, who tragically passed away just months earlier. Smith’s failure to update her Will resulted in a still ongoing legal battle, specifically concerning the $1 billion that her former husband left her.

The lesson: update your Will immediately after every major life event e.g. the birth of a child and change in marital status.

Also ensure that the beneficiaries are well aware of your intentions.

to draft a Will, it is likely that you’re missing out on opportunities including tax and asset-protection advantages, significantly reducing the amount your beneficiaries will receive. Ambiguous wording, unclear directives and forgotten clauses are commonplace in DIY Wills, making it a risky and ill-advised process.

page, for example) can be contested in a court of law. The fact that a Will is not prepared by a legal professional makes it exceedingly liable to debate.

A Will is the most important legal document you will ever draft, and hiring a professional to do so on your behalf is imperative to having your wishes properly recorded and carried out.

The primary motivation behind orchestrating a DIY Will is the initial saving of solicitor’s fees, however in the likely event that an error is made, that could cost the individual hundreds of thousands. Another liability of a DIY Will is that the slightest alteration to it (a paper tear that could indicate a missing

Each jurisdiction in Australia has specific legislation in relation to the signing and witnessing of wills. The regular DIY Will maker will not understand the intricacies of the legislation around this. Wills are an exceptionally complex matter and your affairs are more intricate than you believe.

Enlisting the service of Owen Hodge Lawyers to plan your estate will ensure your beneficiaries are taken care off through a properly drafted Will executed by professionals with your best interests at heart.

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The 3 Secrets Behind Effective Property Management Property management is its own unique specialist area of the real estate industry.

Whether you are starting a career in property management or if you are a retiree managing your own property; real estate can be exceedingly difficult.

Here are three tips from property management experts on how to make this process easier for all parties involved.

Learn as much as possible Make it your mission to learn the laws that concern your property - inside and out.

The residential tenancy changed in 2011; therefore you may be long overdue for a refresh. The number of property managers who don’t know or understand relevant laws is concerning.

Educate all parties involved It is imperative that your clients or tenants know what to expect and what is required

of them at all times to prevent unnecessary conflict. A few ways to ensure this are; During the application stage, detail your expectations on when the application needs to be lodged at the office by and what forms of identification need to be attached, warn that if these requirements are not met, the application will not be processed.

When approving a tenancy, notify the tenant through a confirmation letter that summarises all of the relevant information such as the lease start date and the amount of rent to be paid. Attach a copy of the Tenancy Agreement to give the tenant an opportunity to read it prior to signing, which is a great time saver.

Maintenance issues and who pays for repairs are some of the most common causes of legal debate between property managers and tenants. Be very clear about the ongoing

maintenance of your property, for example, give tenants an idea of what you’re looking for during your inspections, making sure they understand your expectations. Adopt a similar approach to repairs and the process of vacating.

Don’t get too friendly Whilst it is good business to be personable with tenants, make sure you do not cross a professional boundary. This can result in a myriad of issues; if your friendship goes sour, the tenant has the right to take you to court over breaching their right to enjoy the property.

Property management can be a fickle job, laced with headaches and time wasters, however, if you take the necessary precautions from the outset, it can prove a fuss-free investment.

6 Best Legal Movies of All Time Kramer vs. Kramer (1979)

Breaker Morant (1980)

To Kill A Mockingbird (1962)

Dustin Hoffman and Meryl Streep both won Oscars as Ted and Joanna Kramer, an estranged couple fighting over custody of their son. It’s a heartbreaking story of when domestic relations litigation takes a nasty turn, but remains somewhat hopeful in tone.

TRIVIA: Won five Oscars. For some of the most complex scenes, Hoffman leaned on his own recent experience with divorce.

Australian director Bruce Beresford adapts the story of three fellow countrymen who fight for the British Empire in the colonial Boer War in South Africa and are tried and convicted of war crimes raising issues from the 1901 guerrilla-war trial that would echo through decades of 20th century wars. TRIVIA: Oscarnominated for “Best Adapted Screenplay”.

Gregory Peck lends his legendary dignity to the role of Atticus Finch, Harper Lee’s iconic small-town attorney. Penned for the screen

by Horton Foote from the award-winning Harper Lee novel, this movie was an instant classic. TRIVIA: Three Oscar wins. Finch was Lee’s mother’s maiden name.

12 Angry Men (1957)

My Cousin Vinny (1992)

Philadelphia (1993)

Henry Fonda produced and starred in this faithful adaptation of Reginald Rose’s critically acclaimed stage play chronicling the hostile deliberations of a jury in a death penalty case. A lone juror (Fonda) expresses his doubts about what seems at first an open-and-shut prosecution, unravelling the life-or-death debate over the fate of the young Puerto Rican defendant. TRIVIA: Three seperate Oscar nominations.

Vincent “Vinny” Gambini (Joe Pesci) is a brash Brooklyn lawyer who only recently managed to pass the bar exam on his sixth try. He’s representing his cousin and a friend—two California-bound college students who are arrested for capital murder after a short stop at a convenience store in rural Alabama. Still, the rule of law prevails in the courtroom of Judge Chamberlain Haller (Fred Gwynne).

TRIVIA: Marisa Tomei won the Oscar for best supporting actress.

Tom Hanks won an Oscar as an Ivyeducated gay attorney who claims his bigtime law firm fired him after discovering he contracted AIDS. Bruce Springsteen fans will enjoy the Boss’s Oscar-winning title song. TRIVIA: That the film is “inspired in part” by the life and litigation of Geoffrey Bowers, an attorney who died of AIDS, is the result of a real-life lawsuit.

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OWEN HODGE LAWYERS

WHAT’S ON IN SYDNEY 1 – 23 AUGUST

15 – 25 AUGUST

Free “A New You” Event 2014

Australia China Cultural Week Gala Night Yogathon SYDNEY TOWN HALL www.chinaweek.net

DARLING HARBOUR www.yogathon.org

The ‘A New You’ event is designed to provide you with the information and direction you need to achieve and maintain health. This event is diverse in content, practical and free of charge covering various aspects of wellbeing including nutrition, sleep and exercise.

‘A New You’ is held over 3 weeks totaling 12 sessions at UTS.

The City of Sydney presents Australia China Cultural Week which is made up of a series of entertaining, artistic and visual arts events. Taking a glance of the most influential Chinese Pop Artists, attendees will experience the vivaciousness of modern China; the power of innovation and multicultural mass communication.

Are you ready to challenge yourself?

Did you have a New Year’s resolution that you never attempted? Yogathon is an initiative to create awareness about yoga and create interest in its practice for a healthier lifestyle. The event is designed for participants to test their physical and spiritual boundaries in a positive environment.

17 AUGUST

17 AUGUST

30 – 31 AUGUST

The Sydney Ferragosto Italian Festival

Sydney Tea Festival

The Shire Business Festival 2014

The largest festival celebrating the Italian culture in Sydney will be held on Sunday, 17 August 2014. Bring your familia and amici, appetites and dancing shoes to the Ferragosto at Great North Road, Five Dock, between 10am and 4pm, to experience the tastes and sounds of Italy.

Although known for its great coffee, Sydney boasts its fair share of tea aficionados.

The first Sydney Tea Festival will include a free market of specialty and artisan teas as well as a range of workshops, talks and tastings. Sample loose-leaf teas from across Australia or book into a tea cocktail workshop, prices range from $15-$25.

This free entry festival is all about embracing the beach lifestyle and bringing businesses and the local community together. There’s plenty of free family entertainment including dance shows, face painting and arts & crafts for the little.

This is one event you want to scribble in the diary.

4 – 7 SEPTEMBER

14 SEPTEMBER

21 SEPTEMBER

The Australian Garden Show Sydney

Festival Of The Winds

Blackmores Sydney Running Festival

The annual garden show is a stylish and unique event celebrating Australia’s love of gardens and outdoor spaces. Join some of the world’s leading experts in the garden talk series, see the cutting-edge designer gardens and spectacular floral installations, have a break in one of the bars or restaurants and take home some great gardening tips.

Head to Bondi to see hundreds of kites of all shapes and sizes from local and international kite-makers and flyers alike at Sydney’s most colourful festival! See Delta’s, Free Forms, Malaysian, Chinese and Japanese kites on display. Not only will there be kite flying but also a number of kite building workshops.

The Blackmores Sydney Running Festival attracts around 36,000 participants annually. With all four events crossing the Sydney Harbour Bridge, it is by far the only time to uniquely explore the extraordinary scenic views of Sydney. Runners, walkers and joggers of all skill levels and ages are invited to this fun day out.

THE UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY, SYDNEY www.anewyou.info

FIVE DOCK 02 9911 6555

CENTENNIAL PARK www.australiangardenshowsydney.com.au

OVER 60 YEARS OF TRUSTED EXPERIENCE

CARRIAGEWORKS, REDFERN www.sydneyteafestival.com.au

BONDI BEACH www.atbondi.com

16 AUGUST

SUTHERLAND www.sutherlandshireaustralia.com.au

SYDNEY HARBOUR BRIDGE www.sydneyrunningfestival.com.au

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INDIVIDUAL AND COMMERCIAL LAW SPECIALISTS Enhancing the lives of our clients by providing for their financial and legal requirements in the acquisition of wealth, protection and management of assets and the transfer of wealth throughout generations.

CALL 1800 770 780 VIEW www.owenhodge.com.au VISIT Sydney Office Level 3, 171 Clarence Street, Sydney NSW 2000 Hurstville Office Ormonde Parade, Hurstville NSW 2220