DDCS Lawyers

18/10/2026

Meet Theresa Dowling.

Theresa shares what inspired her to pursue a career in law, the people who have influenced her along the way, and one thing she's irrationally passionate about.

16/10/2026

Worried your assets are trapped in a trust? Think again.

Special Counsel, Geoff Mazengarb, recently spoke with Region Media about the Federal Government’s major tax overhauls and discretionary trusts.

“I have had clients come to me quite distressed, because they’ve heard the words ‘You’re entitled to nothing; it’s all in the trust,” Geoff says. “That can be a devastating thing to hear.”

While such statements might align with the literal wording of the trust deed, Geoff, a family lawyer with more than 40 years’ experience, says it’s not necessarily the final legal position. “When faced with these arguments, don’t assume that’s the end of it,” he says.

To find out more about what Geoff has to say, you can read the full article by using the link below.

https://region.com.au/worried-your-assets-are-trapped-in-a-trust-think-again/951968/

For further information, please contact our office on (02) 6212 7600.

02/10/2026

Our office is closed for the Labour Day long weekend and will reopen at 8:45am on Tuesday, 6 October.

Wishing everyone a safe and enjoyable long weekend!

02/10/2026

We're proud to see our wonderful family lawyer, Megan Ho, featured in Region Canberra.

Megan shares her thoughts on how you can protect your future when entering a new relationship, without turning the conversation into legal planning before the relationship has even begun.

It's a practical and thoughtful read for anyone looking to start the next chapter.

Great work, Megan!

For anyone interested, you can read the article here:

Finding love again later in life is one of life's great second chances. You've been burned before; you're older, wiser,…

28/09/2026

Good family lawyers know the law. Great family lawyers change lives.

We are looking for an experienced Senior Associate to join our Family Law Team.

At DDCS Lawyers, we believe legal expertise is only part of what makes an exceptional family lawyer.

The rest is listening. Understanding. Perspective. Staying calm under pressure. Helping people move forward with confidence.

If that's how you practice, we'd love to hear from you.

For more information, please click on link below. If you have any questions or would like a confidential chat about the role, please feel free to contact Emily Tighe on (02) 6212 7600 or [email protected].

Exceptional family lawyers change lives. Build your future at DDCS Lawyers.

27/09/2026

Another five-star review for our fantastic Wills and Estates team member, Stacey Bell!

We are so grateful for our clients' kind words and the trust they place in our team during important life moments.

18/09/2026

We are proud to celebrate the outstanding recognition received by our Wills, Estates & Business Succession Team in the 2026 Doyle's Guide.

Our team has been recognised as a Leading Law Firm in:
🏆 Estate Litigation
🏆 Wills & Estates

We are also delighted to congratulate Theresa Dowling, who has been individually recognised as a:
⭐ Leading Estate Litigation Lawyer
⭐ Recommended Estate Planning Lawyer

These rankings reflect the depth of expertise, commitment to client service and collaborative approach that define our team.

Congratulations to Theresa and the entire Wills, Estates & Business Succession Team on this well-deserved achievement.

11/09/2026

In the recent NSW Supreme Court ruling in The Estate of the late Wilma Annette Pusterla [2026] NSWSC 951, the lawyer’s failure to directly communicate with the willmaker to ensure her comprehension of and consent to the will was a key reason it was deemed invalid.

This underscores the dangers associated with online and self-made wills.

At DDCS, our approach goes beyond merely “drafting a will”. We build lasting relationships with our clients, often spanning years and generations. We form a deep and nuanced understanding of our clients, their families, assets, liabilities, risks, and opportunities. We create tailored estate plans and documents that offer certainty, security, peace of mind, and protection.

https://www.smsfadviser.com/court-decision-another-warning-of-risks-of-online-wills/

11/09/2026

A five star review for our fantastic Wills and Estates team member, Daniel Paterson.

We are incredibly grateful for the trust our clients place in us and always appreciate the time they take to share their feedback. Well done, Dan, on another outstanding review!

10/09/2026

R U OK?

This morning, the team at DDCS came together for morning tea and a reminder to check in with the people around us.

Sometimes, a genuine “Are you OK?” and taking the time to really listen can make a meaningful difference. This small gesture can remind someone that they’re not alone and that support is there when they need it.

We are proud to be part of a team that looks out for and supports one another.