Burgess Thomson

14/10/2026

The hammer falls. You are bound. There is no cooling off period at auction.

As the spring selling season gets underway across the Newcastle region, it is worth remembering that buying at auction removes the safety net that applies to private treaty purchases. There is no five day cooling off period, no opportunity to reconsider, and no conditional finance clause to fall back on. The contract is binding the moment the property is knocked down to you.

That makes the work done beforehand critical. Reviewing the contract, examining the title, checking planning certificates and special conditions, confirming your finance and building inspections are in order. Every question needs answering before you raise your hand, not after.

For more than four decades, Burgess Thomson's property lawyers have reviewed auction contracts for Newcastle buyers, ensuring they walk into the room knowing exactly what they are bidding on.

Call (02) 4929 5602 well ahead of auction day.

https://www.burgessthomson.com.au/property-lawyers-newcastle/conveyancing/auction-contract-reviews/

07/10/2026

Helping your children into their first home is incredibly generous, but it poses a significant legal commitment requiring careful understanding. Many Newcastle parents are using their own home equity to support their adult child to purchase property. Lenders typically mandate independent legal advice for a reason: guarantees can put your property at risk, and obligations often extend further than expected.

Independent legal advice ensures you understand precisely what you’re signing: what is secured, for how long, when the lender can act, and how to release the guarantee later.

For over 40 years, Burgess Thomson’s property finance lawyers have guided Newcastle families through this process with clarity, ensuring decisions made with your heart are backed by full legal knowledge.

Call (02) 4929 5602 or visit our website to learn more.

https://www.burgessthomson.com.au/property-lawyers-newcastle/finance/independent-legal-advice/

30/09/2026

Two documents. Two very different jobs. Frequently confused.

An Enduring Power of Attorney appoints someone to make financial and legal decisions on your behalf. Paying bills, managing property, operating accounts, dealing with your assets.

An Appointment of Enduring Guardian appoints someone to make decisions about your health, care and lifestyle. Where you live, what medical treatment you receive, the services you need.

One cannot do the work of the other. Having only an Enduring Power of Attorney in place leaves your health and accommodation decisions unaddressed, and having only an Enduring Guardian leaves your financial affairs exposed. Most people need both, and both must be prepared while you still have capacity.

Our team ensures these documents are properly drafted, correctly executed and genuinely reflective of your wishes.

Call (02) 4929 5602 to arrange a consultation.

https://www.burgessthomson.com.au/wills-estates-newcastle/wills-lawyers/powers-attorney/

23/09/2026

You've made a will. Your superannuation may not be listening.

For most Australians, superannuation is one of the largest assets they will ever hold. Yet it does not automatically form part of your estate, and it is not distributed according to your will. Instead, it passes according to a binding death benefit nomination lodged with your fund.

Those nominations can lapse, often after three years, and many people are unaware theirs has expired. The result can be a superannuation balance distributed in a way that bears no resemblance to the wishes set out in the will.

At Burgess Thomson, our estate planning lawyers review your will and your superannuation arrangements together, so that the two work as one considered plan rather than two separate documents pulling in different directions.

Call (02) 4929 5602 or visit our website to learn more.

https://www.burgessthomson.com.au/wills-estates-newcastle/wills-lawyers/new-wills/superannuation/

02/09/2026

Do you suspect a loved one's Will does not reflect their true wishes?

Undue influence occurs when someone pressures a vulnerable person, perhaps an elderly or unwell family member, into making or changing a Will against their genuine intentions. Where this can be proven, the Supreme Court of New South Wales may set the Will aside, safeguarding the wishes your loved one truly held.

The team at Burgess Thomson can help you challenge or defend a Will with diligence and discretion. Call (02) 4929 5602 for confidential and compassionate advice.

https://www.burgessthomson.com.au/undue-influence-in-wills/

26/08/2026

Have you been appointed executor of a loved one's estate?

Applying for a Grant of Probate can feel daunting, especially during an already difficult time. From confirming the validity of a Will to identifying assets and distributing the estate, the process involves many careful steps, and contested probate can add further complexity.

Our compassionate team guides Newcastle families through probate with clarity, patience and genuine care.

Please call (02) 4929 5602 for Estate Planning advice.

https://www.burgessthomson.com.au/wills-estates-newcastle/deceased-estates-lawyers-newcastle/probate/

19/08/2026

Thinking of entering a loan agreement?

A loan is one of the most significant commitments you can make, and the fine print matters. Independent legal advice ensures you understand every term, your obligations and any risks before you sign, whether you are borrowing or being asked to act as a guarantor.

At Burgess Thomson, our experienced team has reviewed loan agreements, liaised with lenders and arranged settlements on PEXA, giving Newcastle borrowers clarity and confidence at every step.

Call (02) 4929 5602 for sound legal advice.

https://www.burgessthomson.com.au/property-lawyers-newcastle/finance/borrowers/

12/08/2026

Do you truly know where your property boundaries lie? 🏡

Easements, rights of way, limited title and boundary disputes can quietly complicate even the most straightforward property matter. Understanding your rights and responsibilities from the outset helps you make informed decisions and avoid unwelcome surprises down the track.

For more than four decades, our experienced team of Property Lawyers has guided Newcastle property owners through these complexities with clear, considered advice.

Call on (02) 4929 5602.

https://www.burgessthomson.com.au/property-lawyers-newcastle/conveyancing/property-law-advice/

29/07/2026

Meet Chase Lenox, Paralegal at Burgess Thomson.

Chase is a highly qualified paralegal and a valuable asset to our team, assisting in the preparation of legal documents and serving as a key point of communication for our clients. He is currently completing a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) and a Diploma of Legal Practice at the University of Newcastle, having recently completed a Bachelor of Commerce.

An exceptionally high achiever, Chase has received numerous awards throughout his studies and brings a sharp eye for detail and a thorough, diligent approach to every matter. He supports clients across conveyancing and property law, wills and estate planning, probate and deceased estates, retail and commercial leases, and business and commercial law.

Burgess Thomson has built its reputation on professionals who deliver exactly this standard of care. Read more about Chase on our website.

https://www.burgessthomson.com.au/about-us/our-team/chase-lenox/

24/07/2026