Family Law
We appreciate that family and relationship disputes are sensitive, and can involve many parties. Our focus is on our client directly but also indirectly on those who may be associated or reliant on our client for stability and support.
We understand that Individuals and families are unique, and no two individuals and no two families are the same. There are often competing claims, and challenges that each individual and family confront in a dispute. Conflict resolution is our main focus so that our clients and their families can move forward with things that are important and significant for them.
We provide careful and practical advice to difficult situations by negotiation, collaborative law practice, mediation or if necessary through Family Court action. We are committed to obtaining the best outcome within reasonable time constraints and at an affordable.
Our Principal has extensive experience with many difficult and challenging family disputes, and is available to assist in any family law matter for general or specific advice. Our Principal has acted as advocate in many family law court appearances.
Our Services
- Divorce
- Property
- Spousal Maintenance
- Child Support
- Parenting Disputes
What sets us apart is our passion, experience and dedication to solving family problems.
Wills and Estates
We believe that your future is important, and dying without a Will can cause great difficulty for loved ones. Protect where and how your assets should be dealt with after your death by having a Will and by you deciding how your estate should be divided after your death.
A Will appoints aTrustee as well as an Executor. The role of Executor is to administer the deceased’s Estate, but the Trustees are there to manage any ongoing Trusts which arise from the Will.
A Trustee (or Trustees) may be appointed under the Will if a beneficiary is under the age of 18, in which case the Trustee will be responsible for taking care of their inheritance until they come of age. Alternatively, Trustees may be appointed to manage a Trust that has been set up as part of a Will and holds some (or all) of the Estate. The Trust would need to be managed in line with the terms that have been set out in the Will.
It’s common for the same person (or people) to be appointed as both Trustee and Executor.
Our Services
- Will Preparation
- Power of Attorney
- Power of Enduring Guardian
- Deceases Estates
- Guardianship Matters
What Does an Executor Do under A Will?
A Will should set out who is going to be the Executor of the Estate. This can be more than one person. The Executor is the person who is appointed to be legally responsible, after a person’s death, to administer their Estate and carry out the terms of your Will.
An Executor has a lot of responsibility and potentially some liability. The person who acts as the Executor of your Estate will need to notify organisations that you have died, like your bank or building society, and other service providers. They will need to value your assets and liabilities and arrange for preparation of Estate accounts for Tax purposes, and then arrange to pay any tax from the Estate assets.
Executors are in lot of cases required to apply for a Grant of Probate. They must also pay off all other debts you have, again from the Estate assets, defend any challenges to the Will and then distribute what is left to the beneficiaries named in your Will.
The Executor should then ultimately receive a receipt from each beneficiary confirming that they have received payment of the amount due to them from the Estate and that the Executor is now discharged from their duty to administer the Estate.
What Does a Trustee Do?
If a Trust is established under the Will then the Trustee named in the Will is responsible for receiving the inheritance on behalf of the Trust. The Executor will need to distribute the assets of the Trust to the Trustee named in the Will who will then be required to ensure the beneficiary entitled to receive the asset under the Will receives it in accordance with the terms of the Trust.
Trustees have a duty to act in accordance with the terms of the Trusts.
Who Should be the Trustee under your Will?
The selection of your Trustee is not something that should be entered into lightly. If Trustees need to be appointed in your Will then you should take time to carefully consider who would be the best fit for this role. We can assist you with the important selection process.
When making a Will it’s important to consider the role of Trustees. It’s also important to consider whether it is possible that a Trust could arise, based on your circumstances and how you would like your Will to be drafted.
Our Principal Solicitor has conducted many estate litigious matters for disputing parties including sons, daughters, grandchildren, nephews, and nieces. We have also provided guidance and advice to Trustees in the performance of his/her duties.
We can help you protect your important life decisions by providing careful advice on Powers of Attorney and or Powers of Enduring Guardian in the event of ill health or absence overseas or any other life decision.
Commercial & Civil Litigation
Litigation can be notoriously costly and time consuming, we aim to settle your matter quickly where possible. As such, we provide extensive pre-litigation advice and, where appropriate, advocate alternative dispute resolution such as mediation in order to achieve commercially prudent outcomes for our clients.
A civil matter is one that is brought by you against another party, which could be an individual, organisation or a government authority – where damages or another civil remedy may be imposed by the court. Regardless of what the dispute is about, whether it’s noisy neighbours or personal injury, we can represent you and ensure your interests are protected.
Our Services
- Bankruptcy & Insolvency
- Business Contracts
- Partnership Disputes
- Commercial, Corporate & Business Law
- Mortgages, Security & Guarantee
- Leases
Public Notary
A Notary Public is a public officer who has been given statutory powers to witness documents, administer oaths and perform other wide-ranging administrative functions of a national and international nature. We can authenticate your documents which are given the force of law in foreign jurisdictions including witnessing and administering Oaths for Court documents, and for foreign jurisdictions.
Our Services
- Sign & Witness Documents
- Administer Oaths
- Local Documents
- International Documents
Criminal Law
We strive for absolute excellence in the defence of any case. We have been involved in a large range of legal cases. We believe the best outcome is achieved with clear and concise client communication and a well prepared case.
Our Services
- Driving Offences
- Apprehended Violence Complaints Orders
- Drug Charges
- Assaults
- Bail Applications
- Fraud
- Appeals
Personal Injury
NSW law prohibits us from advertising our personal injury services other than to our clients. Please contact us for more information.
Conveyancing & Property
Marano Family Lawyers understand that buying or selling a residential or commercial property is a significant matter for most people. We can ensure that your property transactions are conducted within tight time frames. We can review contracts on short notice allowing peace of mind knowing that you can make that purchase or sale happen with appropriate legal advice.
Our Services
- Contracts for Sale or Purchase of Land
- Contract Review
- Property Settlements & Negotiations
- Commercial & Retail Leases
- Auction Enquiries
- Assistance with Identifying Suitable Opportunities for Finance
- Assistance for First Home Owners & the First Home Owners Grant
- Mortgages, Refinancing & Property Deposit Bonds
- Property Developments
- Property Subdivision
- Commercial Leasing
Business Advice
Starting a business or purchasing a business is often one of the most precarious steps that a person can take. Whether it is setting up company structures or a Trust, or the preparation of a partnership deed, or the purchase or the sale of your business, we will help you with achieve what is important to you, our client.
Mediation
Our objective is to try and avoid Court proceedings. We will attempt to resolve disputes with minimal distress for our clients and will recommend negotiation and mediation prior to Court proceedings which should be a last resort.
AFTER HOURS ADVICE
We provide after hours service by appointment and after hours telephone consultation. Hurstville and Sydney CBD appointments available.
Let's Talk‘I have been introduced to Annamaria Marano by a trusted lawyer. I needed a lady lawyer that was strict, uncompromising and firm. My case involved Family Law; children custody, property settlement and Divorce. Ms. Annamaria Marano was my Lawyer for three years she is an accomplished, committed, skilful, lawyer and passionate in what she does and totally devoted to her clients. I esteem what she does greatly. I therefore recommend her to anyone who needs help with children custody, property settlement and Divorce. I can confidently say, Ms. Marano is an outstanding Lawyer.’
‘ I have referred a number of clients to Annamaria Marano having had her as our family lawyer. She has assisted every one of us and we are grateful.’
'I retained Ms Annamaria Marano for my compensation claim. She was my lawyer for some time. I recommend her services. The dedication she gave to my case was displayed in the ultimate result which was very pleasing to me. '