Harpers Legal

13/08/2021

Parenting a child can be difficult and trying at the best of time, let alone during a worldwide pandemic. With the current extended NSW stay at home health directives, this can also add additional pressures on parents.

Parents now essentially now have three full time jobs, being a parent, their normal everyday day job, and now to add to the mix a schoolteacher. Managing healthy family relationships whilst being confined at home, working from home and home schooling can be a difficult to juggle, and juggle successfully.

Some helpful tips to manage and survive the lockdown home schooling period include:

1. Check in with your child’s school as they may online learning programs and apps which can be downloaded. The Teachers would then provide learning aids and support through these programs and apps. The school will also be able to provide you with information as to the curriculum and what exactly your child is to be learning;

2. Set up a dedicated learning area for your child. This will avoid having books, pens and paper all over the house.

3. Prepare snacks and lunch in the morning as usual and this will then provide less disruption through the day whilst you are also trying to get your own work done.

4. Stick to a schedule, similar as to if they there actually physically going to school. That get them up at the same time, eating breakfast and getting dressed. This will help with theirs and your own mindset as to managing the day.

5. If you are stuck with ways to educate and entertain your child, then visits websites such as ABC Reading Eggs, or ABC Education. You can also download and listen to a number of podcasts and play them for your child. Again, the ABC website is a great resource for short learning podcasts. Most local libraries also have online resources and tutorials which you can check out .

6. Don’t forget physical exercise. Children are accustomed to outside play during recess and lunch and as such it is important to ensure your child maintains their exercise. There are lots of online exercise classes which can be download include yoga and Pilates for kids.

7. Ensure that you arrange regular skype sessions between your child and their friends. Maintain social support throughout these unpredictable times is very important.

8. And most important RELAX

Here at Harpers Legal we have a number of staff members attempting to manage that juggle. We understand how hard this can be and appreciate the patience our clients and colleagues have had while we all struggle through the current lockdown climate.

Harpers Legal have set up guidelines to ensure that our staff can continue to work remotely and provide high quality services and representation. All client interactions will not be face to face at this time. We shall undertake client interactions by telephone or AVL until lockdown restrictions change. We welcome your ongoing enquiries and are taking telephone appointments to meet your needs.

02/06/2020

At Harpers Legal we are slowly returning to the office out of hibernation like the rest of the community.

Our office is now open, however most appointment will continue via telephone for now.

Our lawyers are still working remotely with occasional scheduled in office time.

The biggest change we are seeing is in the attitude of our staff and community. It takes a dramatic worldwide event to remind us all what is actually important in life!

06/04/2020

COVID-19 and Signing Wills

All dressed up and nowhere to go! How have these new restrictions, put into place by the Covid-19 Pandemic, been affecting each and every one of you?

It is surprising how much these new restrictions and rules are affecting all facets of society. From where we can eat, who we can see, where we can go, all the way to how we can sign legal documents.

Lawyers and Courts have had to overcome several obstacles due to this Pandemic. New technologies have been utilised to allow us to largely continue by connecting with one another via video-link, telephone and email.

But one of the toughest obstacles we have been presented with is signing legal documents and particularly the Signing of a Will. This issue is especially prudent when in the midst of a health crisis such as the current situation we now find ourselves in.

Will are very formal legal documents that have strict legal requirements to be valid;
1. Firstly the Will needs to be in writing and signed by the Testator - the person making the Will;
2. This signature needs to be witnessed by two other people;
3. Those two witnesses must sign in the presence of the Testator;
4. The witnesses should also include their name, address and occupation;
5. The witnesses should be over the age of 18 years;
6. Each person should use the same pen; and
7. The Will should be dated at the time of signing.
So straight away we are faced with the problem of requiring three people to be present and in the same room for the Signing of a Will. This is a situation that is currently prohibited by the new protocols the government has introduced, and may be quite impractical or impossible to achieve.

There is movement in this space; authorities are currently lobbying for a change in the legislation to make it easier for individuals to properly execute Wills. As recently as the 24th March 2020, legislation was passed allowing the government to make changes to the relevant law. Those changes haven’t happened yet, but this could result in changes to the current requirements for a valid Will.

Until this happens however, we are metaphorically stuck between the current social distancing and isolation regulations and the current legal requirements for validation of your Will.

Do we have any options available while uncertainty remains?
While the current legal requirements mean that a valid Will cannot currently be signed, it is possible to create an interim document as a ‘stop gap’ that intends to clearly describe your intention to compete a Will. This is called a ‘Testamentary Intention’.

While a Testamentary Intention is not a valid Will, if you pass before you are able to validly sign your Will, a Court may take the exceptional circumstances into account and the document may be a used to argue your wishes be upheld and treated as though it is a validly signed Will.

At Harpers Legal, we are currently offering telephone consultations to take our clients instructions in drafting of Will. While we await the law to catch up with our predicament, we can use technological approaches to ensure that your wishes are clearly stated, and a Testamentary Intention completed.

We hope and trust that our services may be able to provide some confidence in these uncertain times. If you would like to enquire with our team about drafting a will, you can call us on (02) 4967 1001.

30/03/2020

HARPERS LEGAL IS CURRENTLY CLOSED FOR ALL FACE TO FACE COMMUNICATIONS.

Due to the current climate, our team are working out of office where possible.

For the safety for our staff and our clients, our office has ceased all face to face communication.

We wish to assure all our clients that we are still open and working with restraints.

We are still contactable on 02 4967 1001. We thank you for your patience and hope everyone's friends and families stay safe during this time.

24/11/2019

FOMO

Harpers Legal is now taking on new private clients.

If you are separated, or considering separation, act quickly as we have newly available limited capacity for new private clients.

Harpers Legal has been operating since 2010 in Waratah, Newcastle. Principal Solicitor; Rebecca and our team have extensive experience in all areas of Family Law including Parenting and Property matters, and will be your best client advocates.

Our team will guide you through the process in a supportive and informative manner during what can be one of life’s most difficult times. The team will analyse your situation and advise on all legal claims, then develop a strategy with you to negotiate the best outcome on your behalf.

When and where negotiations are not successful, Rebecca and her team, under your instructions will fight by your side for your rights and entitlements.

If you would like to have a free no obligation chat, we would love to help you. We can meet you in our offices or meet for a coffee.

Call 4967 1001 or email [email protected] for your confidential, obligation free first consultation.

11/06/2019

Today Harpers Legal is hanging out at the Clyde Street Cafe to provide some information about Family Law Property Settlements.

Pop in before 11 or between 2-3 this afternoon to have a chat with one of our friendly solicitors.

06/06/2019

Even though more people are living together without getting married many are unaware of the ways that the Family Law Act can affect them. This is an interesting perspective from someone who didn’t realise the legal implications of being in a de facto relationship.


Property Settlements are no longer just for married couples. If you have lived with a partner on a genuine domestic basis for at least two years you are considered to be in a de facto relationship. If you separate you will likely need legal help to divide any real estate or superannuation.

When Tara Leach's relationship started falling apart she was shocked to find out her partner might be able to take half of what she owned. It turned out that wasn't the only financial worry she had due to her de facto relationship.

08/03/2019

Happy International Women's Day!

We celebrated by wearing red and eating 🍕 🎂

07/03/2019

Finally we have Natalie Bremner!

Natalie is Harpers Legal’s longest standing employee and Senior Solicitor. Since joining the team in 2012, Natalie has developed a wealth of experience in Family Law, Children’s Law, Criminal Law and Victims Compensation. Her work and chosen fields are a reflection of Natalie’s passion for social justice and drive to help people. She has extensive advocacy experience and frequently appears in the Local Court, Children’s Court and Family Court.

Natalie’s calm demeanour and caring manner have made her into the office rock – an oasis of calm when life gets crazy. She has a quiet confidence, brilliantly supporting both her colleagues and her clients. Natalie is always willing to share her extensive knowledge and experience to get the best outcome for our clients.

Not only is Nat a lawyer extraordinaire, she is also the mother of a delightful one-year-old, who keeps her on her toes outside of the Courtroom. Her little one keeps us all happy with visits, giggles, and the cutest photos you can imagine!

06/03/2019

As we continue to celebrate International Women’s Day this week, next up is Jade Coshaw!

Jade joined the Harpers Legal family early last year. In the two years since her admission to the legal profession Jade has already built up an impressive expertise in family law. She looks after a majority of the firm’s family law clients, a lot of whom are women trying to find the right way to approach parenting after their relationship has ended. Whether it is in mediation or the Court room, over the last year Jade has helped countless clients to achieve security and safety in their parenting arrangements.

Jade is our office’s resident mental health advocate, and has been a positive influence in our office, always encouraging staff to debrief and recognise when they need a break.

A passionate advocate, Jades long term goal is to become a barrister and continue to help people find their way through the Court system.

05/03/2019

Next up for International Women’s day is Tina Bubutievski! Our Administrative law expert and policy wizz.

Tina has come to Harpers Legal in the next step of a long career of helping people. Before practising as a solicitor Tina sat as a member in a number of Commonwealth Tribunals, hearing appeals on issues such as the rights of students and families, and continues to sit on the Administrative Appeals Tribunal making decisions in relation to child support.

Before joining the legal profession Tina was a welfare worker in children’s services. She has a holistic approach to the law and is particularly adept at helping client’s in crisis and those with complex issues that are affecting their legal matters.

Throughout her career Tina has built a diverse range of experience and she continues to seek out new ways to help people. Because of this she holds a wealth of experience, and always makes time to share her knowledge and help those around her learn.

04/03/2019

In honour of International Women's Day on Friday we will be highlighting the achievements of each of our lawyers over the next week.

First up is Rebecca Harper, our principal solicitor.

In February 2011 Rebecca opened Harpers Legal from the spare room in her home, and from there has built a thriving law firm, with a strong social heart.

Focusing on areas such as Family Law, Care & Protection and Criminal Law, during decades of advocacy Rebecca has helped countless people in and out of the Court room.

Despite her packed calendar Rebecca is filled to the brim with compassion for others and always makes time to listen to people's stories and share her own.