The OMB Law Board

Gifting a property to a family member or friend might feel like a straightforward act of generosity. But once your name comes off the title, your legal rights change completely and things can go wrong fast. In this episode, Simon Bennett sits down with Erlinda Nunn from the OMB property law team to unpack the real risks behind property gifting. They cover what happens when you lose legal control o...

Body corporate bylaws cover everything from parking and pets to renovations and noise. But what actually happens when someone ignores them? In this episode, Simon Bennett sits down with Alexander Wood, a solicitor specialising in body corporate and litigation, to break down the full enforcement process in plain English. Alex explains what a contravention notice is and why ignoring one is a legal o...

Family violence is not always physical. In this episode, Simon sits down with Aleena Mills, OMB's newly appointed Family Law Partner, to break down coercive control in plain English. Following recent amendments to the Family Law Act, coercive control is now formally recognised as a form of family violence. Courts are already applying this new definition, and it is reshaping how parenting orders ar...

A will sets out someone's final wishes. But sometimes, a will alone isn't enough. In this episode, Simon sits down with Harley Wilkinson, Senior Associate in OMB's estates team, to break down what a grant of probate is and why it matters. They cover when executors are required to apply for one, how the process actually works, and the protection a court-issued grant provides if questions about a wi...

Being named executor of someone's estate often feels like an honour. But what most people don't realise is the legal weight that comes with it. In this episode of The OMB Law Board, OMB Estates lawyer Harley Wilkinson joins host Simon Bennett to break down everything you need to know about the role. They cover when your authority as executor actually begins, what your core legal duties are, and ho...

A car accident is stressful, disorienting, and the last thing you want to think about is the legal process. But what you do in the days immediately after could make or break your ability to make a claim. In this episode, Simon is joined by Taylah Farr - a solicitor with experience in insurance and litigation - to break down the three most important steps to take in the first week after a car accid...

Thinking about renovating your unit? If you're in a body corporate, there's a lot more to it than calling a builder. Body Corporate Partner Juliette Nairn is back on the OMB Law Board to walk us through exactly what you can and can't do when renovating a lot and what approval you need before any work begins. We cover what you actually own in a body corporate (it's less than you think), which renov...

Most people assume their spouse or children can automatically make decisions for them if something goes wrong. They can't. In this episode, Senior Associate Harley Wilkinson joins us to break down the Enduring Power of Attorney - what it is, how it works, and why it's the most important legal document you'll need while you're alive. We cover the difference between personal, financial, and health d...

It seems like a simple, affordable solution — pick up a will kit, fill in the blanks, job done. But what if that one document tears your family apart after you're gone? In this episode, Simon sits down with Harley Wilkinson from the OMB Wills & Estates team to unpack the very real dangers of DIY wills. From incorrect witnessing to missing clauses and ambiguous wording, they walk through exactl...

In this episode of The OMB Law Board, Simon Bennett is joined by Sarah Mason from the OMB family law team to tackle one of the most uncomfortable parts of separation: financial disclosure. No one wants their ex seeing every bank statement and transaction, but in family law, full and frank disclosure isn't optional. Simon and Sarah break down what disclosure actually means, why it applies to both p...

Most people never expect to receive a letter from a coroner. When it arrives, often in the middle of grief, it can feel alarming, even threatening. In this episode, Simon Bennett and Jennie from OMB Solicitors' Insurance and Litigation team cut through the confusion. They explain what a coronial inquest or inquiry actually involves, why families are contacted, and crucially, why the process is des...

You’ve landed your first paid collaboration. The contracts are coming in. The brand is excited. But do you actually know what you’re signing? In this episode of The OMB Law Board, Simon Bennett sits down with Erlinda from OMB’s Property and Contracts team to unpack the fast-growing world of influencer and social media contracts. From payment terms and deliverables to exclusivity clauses, intellect...

Most buyers and sellers focus on one thing when signing a property contract: the price. But what about the clauses? In this episode of The OMB Law Board, Simon Bennett sits down with Bailey from OMB’s Property Law team to unpack the critical difference between standard and special conditions, and why one incorrectly drafted word can cost you your deposit, your deal, or even land you in court. From...

What does it take to dive headfirst into the biggest waves — in sport and in life? In this episode of The OMB Law Board, Simon Bennett sits down with Ironwoman champion Courtney Hancock to explore the mindset behind elite performance, the business realities of professional sport, and the powerful transition from world-class athlete to motherhood. Courtney shares the lessons she learned about contr...

Queensland property law has changed, and one small mistake could cost you your sale. In this episode of The OMB Law Board, Simon Bennett is joined by Bailey from our Property Law team to break down Queensland’s new Seller Disclosure regime, introduced on 1 August 2025. For the first time, sellers must provide mandatory disclosure documents before a contract is signed. Get it wrong, even unintentio...

You bought the unit. The balcony is yours. So surely you can do what you like… right? In this episode of The OMB Law Board, Simon Bennett is joined by Body Corporate Partner Juliette Nairn to unpack what lot owners can — and can’t — do within a community titles scheme. From the May 2024 legislative changes affecting smoking to the updated position on pets, and why reading your bylaws matters more...

Divorce. It’s a word we all think we understand… but do we? In the Season 5 premiere of The OMB Law Board, Simon Bennett is joined by Sarah from our Family Law team to unpack what divorce actually means in Australia. From the 12-month separation rule to living “separated under one roof”, and why timing can significantly impact property settlements, this episode clears up some of the most common mi...

In the Season 4 finale of The OMB Law Board, Simon Bennett is joined by fellow solicitor Bailey Bennett for a timely and insightful deep dive into the sweeping changes to Queensland’s property laws, coming into effect on August 1. Together, they unpack what the shift from a "buyer beware" system to a seller disclosure regime really means for sellers, real estate agents, and legal professionals ali...

Most people hope they’ll never need litigation — but when disputes can’t be resolved, understanding the process makes all the difference. In this episode of The OMB Law Board, Simon Bennett is joined by Special Counsel Jennie Goff to demystify litigation and explain what really happens when a matter heads toward court. From what litigation actually is, to how disputes are managed before court, whi...

Strata and community living are growing fast, but with shared spaces comes shared responsibility, compromise, and complexity. In this episode of The OMB Law Board, Simon Bennett is joined by Alexander Wood from OMB Solicitors’ Body Corporate team to unpack the real-world legal issues facing strata communities today. From short-term letting and Airbnb disputes to parking headaches, maintenance blow...

From the roar of 100,000 fans at the MCG to navigating the quiet complexities of player contracts, this episode of The OMB Law Board is one for the books. Join us as we sit down with two-time AFL Premiership player Brandon Ellis for an open and honest conversation about overcoming adversity, the pressure of elite performance, the emotional toll of being traded, and the legal realities behind the s...

When an injury happens, on the road, at work, or in a public place, many people assume they can manage the claims process themselves. But as Special Counsel Jennie Goff explains, personal injury law involves strict time limits, complex pre-court steps and detailed evidence requirements that most people aren’t aware of. In this episode of The OMB Law Board, Jennie clarifies what legally constitutes...

In this episode of The OMB Law Board, Simon Bennett sits down with Tony Cochrane AM — the powerhouse behind some of Australia’s biggest entertainment events, V8 Supercars and a defining chapter of the Gold Coast Suns. From walking away from school to building a production business, landing Frank Sinatra after failing to secure Neil Diamond, turning $56,000 into a $305 million motorsport juggernaut...

In this episode of The OMB Law Board, we sit down with Sarah Mason from OMB’s Family Law team to unpack one of the most misunderstood areas of separation: property and the matrimonial property pool. From homes and businesses to crypto, trusts, gifts, and even post-separation assets, Sarah explains what really gets included, why full disclosure matters, and how proper valuation works. You’ll also l...

In this follow-up episode, Family Law Partner Abbi Golightly returns to The OMB Law Board to unpack some of the most talked-about updates under the Family Law Amendment Act 2025. From the landmark recognition of domestic and family violence in property settlements to the new definition of pets as “companion animals”, Abbi and Simon explore how these changes reflect the realities of modern Australi...