Security

What is independent legal advice?

If you are:

  • borrowing money from a bank or someone else, like a parent,
  • have some special vulnerability in relation to a borrowing arrangement (such as due to age, inability to speak English well etc),
  • borrowing in relation to a self managed superannuation fund’s limited recourse borrowing arrangement, or
  • perhaps going guarantor on a loan for a company or a family member for their loan,

then chances are you will be asked to get “independent legal advice” from a solicitor in relation to the loan and the security for the borrowing or guarantee.

The document evidencing the loan is usually a:

  • Loan Agreement,
  • Letter of Offer or similar

and may have accompanying terms and conditions etc.

Security for a loan arrangement usually takes the form of a:

  • Mortgage,
  • Caveat or
  • Security Interest registered on the PPSR.

Independent advice us usually required by the lender so that it cannot (easily) be argued later that the borrower or guarantor didn’t understand the gravity of the arrangements being put in place – so although you get the advice, it is really for the lender’s protection.

In order to give independent legal advice, the lawyer will read the loan and security documents provided, advise you as to the meaning and effect of them and discuss any risks.

You will then be required to sign a document called a Declaration under oath confirming that you obtained independent legal advice before you freely and voluntarily signed the loan/guarantee/security documents.

Often the lender will also require the borrower or guarantor to obtain “independent financial advice” from a financial advisor, accountant or other appropriately qualified person. Lawyers, simply by virtue of their profession, possess no special skill to give financial (as distinct from legal) advice.

FURTHER INFORMATION

For further information, please contact McKillop Legal on (02) 9521 2455 or email help@mckilloplegal.com.au 

This information is general only and is not a substitute for proper legal advice. Please contact McKillop Legal to discuss your needs.

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in Asset Protection / Business / Commercial Law / Dispute Resolution / General / Litigation / Property / Risk management  by 01 Aug 2023 0 comments

What is the PPSR?

The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is a single national online register where details of security interests in personal property can be registered and searched. The PPSR is administered by the Australian Financial Security Authority (AFSA) and was established under the under the Personal Property Securities Act 2009 (Cth).

The PPSR is an amalgamation of registrations that were recorded in registers including the Australian Security and Investments Commission (ASIC) Register of Company Charges, the Australian Register of Ships, the Fisheries Register, state and territory bills of sale registers, and the state and territory Registers of Encumbered Vehicles (REVS).

All charges and other security interests in personal property (such as cars, boats, intellectual property etc) have been recorded on the PPSR since 30 January 2012.

It does not include real property (land or buildings) as these are covered by the various land title registers in the States and Territories, such as Land and Property Information in NSW.

On the PPSR:

• you can register a notice to show that you have rights over personal property which secure a debt or obligation that someone owes you

• you can check to see if someone has registered an interest over personal property you want to buy or lease.

If you are buying a business or an asset of significant value, it can pay to have the PPSR properly searched because if you buy property subject to a security interest, it is possible that the person or entity with the security interest will repossess it.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Craig Pryor is principal solicitor at McKillop Legal. For further information in relation to the PPSR, buying or selling a business, business succession or any other commercial law matter, contact Craig Pryor on (02) 9521 2455 or email craig@mckilloplegal.com.au.

This information is general only and is not a substitute for proper legal advice. Please contact McKillop Legal to discuss your estate planning needs.

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in Business / Commercial Law / Dispute Resolution / General / Risk management  by 16 May 2017 0 comments

Planning on giving money to your kids?

THERE ARE BETTER WAYS TO HELP YOUR KIDS THAN A GIFT

Most parents want to give their kids a headstart in life. Often, this takes the form of money for a car or a deposit for a first home.

Have you considered what would happen to that money if your son or daughter either:

  • broke up with their partner,
  • passed away; or
  • ran into financial difficulties or became a bankrupt?

There are better ways to help your kids than a simple gift of money – protect it so it can continue to be used for their benefit even if they get into financial trouble.

If you give money to your kids, it won’t automatically come back to you if any of those things happen

  • on their separation or divorce, it would be an asset of their relationship and be available for distribution between your son or daughter and their partner under the Family Law Actor the Property (Relationships) Act.
  • on death, those funds will flow to their beneficiaries as stated in their Will (or if they don’t have a Will, in accordance with the laws of intestacy).
  • on bankruptcy, their trustee in bankruptcy will be able to use those funds to pay themselves and any creditors.

In order to protect against these types of events, the advance needs to be documented as a loan. In the absence of such a document, the “presumption of advancement” applies because of the relationship of parent and child and it will be considered a gift.

If your child died, got into financial strife or had matrimonial issues, the loan could be called in – and would be available to lend again once things had settled.

Ideally, in addition to a Loan Agreement, some form of security for the loan could be provided, such as a Mortgage or Caveat over land or a Security Interest registered on the Personal Property Securities Register.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Craig Pryor is principal solicitor at McKillop Legal. For further information in relation to litigation and dispute resolution or any commercial law matter, contact Craig Pryor on (02) 9521 2455 or email craig@mckilloplegal.com.au.

 

in Estate Planning / Probate / Tax Planning  by 20 Sep 2016 0 comments