Carter Ferguson Solicitors

Carter Ferguson Solicitors Carter Ferguson is a dynamic local law firm servicing the Illawarra and South Coast.

We have offices in:
Gerringong
Kiama
Nowra
Wollongong

Contact us on 1300 235 345 Established in 1979, Carter Ferguson Solicitors is a dynamic firm with extensive experience in providing legal services to the Sydney area and greater New South Wales for all property transactions. Timothy Carter & Lloyd Ferguson, the firm's original Partners, have built the practice with a strong client-focus by f

orming close long term relationships with their clients. The firm's clients have been built up from individuals and families who always use the firm to help them with their legal matters. These clients then refer their family and friends and the service continues.

There's a lot of comfort in knowing it's done.Wills, Powers of Attorney, Enduring Guardians - these are the documents th...
29/05/2026

There's a lot of comfort in knowing it's done.

Wills, Powers of Attorney, Enduring Guardians - these are the documents that protect the people you love when it matters most. Rach made sure this family had everything in place, promptly and without fuss.

That's exactly what we're here for. Congratulations Rach, this is wonderful feedback and thanks Mel for leaving it on Google!

The last one isn't just legal, it's how we work - we set out the expected costs for you in the first meeting. Reach out ...
27/05/2026

The last one isn't just legal, it's how we work - we set out the expected costs for you in the first meeting.

Reach out when you need us.

Many people assume that if a couple is still living together, their relationship is still intact in the eyes of the Law....
21/05/2026

Many people assume that if a couple is still living together, their relationship is still intact in the eyes of the Law.

The High Court of Australia disagrees.

In Fairbairn v Radecki [2022], Ms Fairbairn and Mr Radecki had been in a de facto relationship since 2005. Ms Fairbairn owned the home they shared. By 2017, she had developed dementia and lost the capacity to make her own decisions. She moved into aged care. Mr Radecki stayed in the home and refused to leave.

The NSW Trustee and Guardian, appointed to manage Ms Fairbairn's affairs, sought to sell her home to fund her ongoing aged care costs. But to do that, the Court first had to determine whether the de facto relationship had actually broken down, because without a breakdown, it had no power to make orders about the property at all.

Mr Radecki argued the relationship was still intact because he still visited her regularly. He had even converted a van for her wheelchair.

The High Court wasn't convinced. It found that his conduct during her incapacity - including attempting to rewrite her Will and restructure her Power of Attorney in ways that served his own interests - was inconsistent with a genuine mutual commitment to a shared life. The relationship had broken down. The home could be sold.

This case raises questions worth thinking about well before you need to. Who has authority to make decisions on your behalf if you lose capacity? Is your Will current? Does your Power of Attorney reflect what you actually want?

The team at Carter Ferguson can help you make sure the answers are the right ones.

There were so many positive things in this testimonial that we couldn't fit it all in to the graphic, so here it is in f...
19/05/2026

There were so many positive things in this testimonial that we couldn't fit it all in to the graphic, so here it is in full:

"We had an excellent experience working with Lucy Massey as our conveyancer for both selling our home and purchasing our new one. She was incredibly helpful, professional, and responsive throughout the entire process, always keeping us informed and making everything feel seamless and stress-free. We're grateful for her support and wouldn't hesitate to recommend her services to anyone buying or selling a property."

Congratulations to Lucy on this wonderful feedback. This is exactly what we strive for, and we are so grateful to our lovely clients for taking the time to share their experience. Thanks for the kind words, Kym!

The first question we get asked in almost every Family Law consultation is some version of the same thing: "What am I en...
15/05/2026

The first question we get asked in almost every Family Law consultation is some version of the same thing: "What am I entitled to?"

It's completely understandable. It's also, honestly, one of the hardest questions to answer straight away.

In Australia, there's no fixed formula for dividing assets after a separation. The court looks at everything: what each person contributed financially, what they contributed in other ways, what was brought into the relationship, what each person's future looks like, whether there are children involved. Two couples with identical assets on paper can end up with very different outcomes.

What that means in practice is that the answer to "what am I entitled to" is almost always: it depends. But a conversation with us is the fastest way to understand what it depends on in your specific situation.

That's what Maree's free first consultation is for.

Some people are just built for this kind of work.Aly Jones is a Shoalhaven local working across Criminal Law and Wills a...
14/05/2026

Some people are just built for this kind of work.

Aly Jones is a Shoalhaven local working across Criminal Law and Wills and Estate Planning from our Nowra office.

The clients she works with are often going through some of the hardest moments of their lives, and Aly's approach is straightforward: be reliable, be reachable, and make sure they always know where things stand.

When she's not in the office, you'll find her at the gym or spending time with her young son. It’s that balance of strength, patience and perspective that makes her so good at what she does. We're lucky to have her!

12/05/2026

Tasman Drive, Gerringong. By now you've likely seen it in viral social media clips.

Yes, it really is this beautiful. We'd expect nothing less from our backyard!

But if you're planning a visit, maybe leave the drone at home. Don't mistake someone's front garden for a viewing platform. And if the person trying to reverse out of their driveway looks a bit stressed, that's probably why.

The view is absolutely worth the trip. So is the coffee in town while you're at it.

Welcome to Gerringong. Please be excellent to each other.

To the mums and mother figures in our team, and in yours.The ones who hold everything together quietly. The ones who sho...
10/05/2026

To the mums and mother figures in our team, and in yours.

The ones who hold everything together quietly. The ones who show up even when it's hard. The ones who aren't called mum but fill that role anyway.

Today is for all of you.

Happy Mother's Day from the team at Carter Ferguson.

If you've met Steve before, you already know he's not your typical Lawyer. But if not, here's what you need to know.He s...
07/05/2026

If you've met Steve before, you already know he's not your typical Lawyer. But if not, here's what you need to know.

He spent his early career in the Sydney CBD, became a Partner specialising in Banking and Finance Law, and acted for major banks. Then in 1998 he packed up and moved his young family to Kiama, and never looked back.

These days Steve works across Property, Conveyancing, Wills and Estates at our Kiama office. He's the person you want in your corner for complex subdivisions, commercial transactions, retirement village contracts and everything in between. He has seen more property deals than most people have had hot dinners, and he brings that experience to every matter, whether it's a first home purchase or a large scale development.

What you might not know about Steve this: he holds a Diploma in Theatre Performance, has directed stage productions across the Illawarra, coaches Touch Football and has been a Cub Scout Leader. How does he fit it all in?

Good Law and good people aren't mutually exclusive. Steve is proof of that!

A $30 Will kit seems like a reasonable shortcut. But is it really?In Wehbe v Giotopoulos [2023], a NSW Supreme Court cas...
05/05/2026

A $30 Will kit seems like a reasonable shortcut. But is it really?

In Wehbe v Giotopoulos [2023], a NSW Supreme Court case, Mrs Wehbe passed away leaving a DIY Will that excluded her two daughters entirely. The problem? The court couldn't establish that two independent witnesses were present when she signed the Will, and there was no clear evidence she fully understood its contents. Crucially, there was no documented reason why her daughters had been left out.

The estate was worth around $511,000. By the time the matter was resolved in court, legal costs had consumed a significant portion of what her beneficiaries were meant to receive.

A properly drafted Will, prepared by a Solicitor, would have cost a fraction of what the dispute ended up costing the estate. The people she wanted to provide for received less because the paperwork wasn't right.

A Will isn't just a document. It's the last thing you do for the people you love. It's worth doing properly.

The team at Carter Ferguson can help make sure it is.

Some people are exactly where they're supposed to be.Ashleigh is a South Coast local who has made a vow to always live w...
01/05/2026

Some people are exactly where they're supposed to be.

Ashleigh is a South Coast local who has made a vow to always live within reach of the sea breeze. And we have to say, we're with her on that!

She works primarily in Family Law and Employment Law from our Kiama office, areas that tend to find people at their most overwhelmed. Her instinct is always to find the most practical path through before anything escalates. She knows litigation is expensive and exhausting, and she'd rather her clients feel supported than put through the wringer unnecessarily.

If you're navigating something difficult and want someone genuinely in your corner, Ashleigh would love to hear from you.

Address

20/125 Fern Street
Gerringong, NSW
2534

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+61242341900

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