The OMB Law Board

Bailey Bennett, associate in OMB's property law team, joins Simon to unpack one of the most misunderstood areas of property law: verbal agreements. What happens when a real estate agent promises to extend your deposit deadline? What are your rights when an off-the-plan seller won't let your valuer in? And what does Queensland law say when a family promise about property falls apart? Bailey walks t...

A creditor's statutory demand can look a lot like junk mail, but ignoring one could see your company wound up (legally closed down). In this episode, host Simon Bennett is joined by OMB litigation partner Cameron Marshall for his first appearance on The OMB Law Board. Cameron explains what a statutory demand actually is (a formal demand for payment of a debt a creditor says your company owes). He...

Making a will is one of the most important things you'll ever do, and most people put it off for far too long. In this episode, Simon sits down with Harley Wilkinson, Senior Associate in OMB's Estates team, to walk through the key dos and don'ts of making your will. From choosing the right executor and avoiding vague instructions, to why a DIY will kit might not be right for your situation.  Harle...

Everyone's heard it. "I'm taking my ex to court." But what does that actually mean, and is it always the right move? In this episode, Simon sits down with family law partner Aleena Mills to unpack when court is, and isn't, necessary during a separation. They cover the real reasons people end up in the court system, why Australia's no-fault divorce laws change the picture completely, what the proce...

Buying in strata for the first time? Before you sign, you need to read this. In this episode, Simon Bennett and Juliette Nairn break down the essential documents every first-time strata buyer should review, and what they reveal about your building and budget. Discover why the sinking fund forecast is absolutely vital (most buyers miss it), how to spot red flags in committee minutes, and the real d...

You did everything right — got a binding financial agreement drawn up, thought you were protected. Then your relationship ends, and your ex successfully gets it overturned. So what went wrong?  In this episode of The OMB Law Board, host Simon Bennett is joined by Family Law Partner Aleena Mills to unpack how binding financial agreements (Australia's version of a prenup) actually work, when they ca...

A developer offers you way over market value for your property but instead of a straightforward sale, they want a "put and call option." Sounds great, but what does it actually mean, and what are you agreeing to?  In this episode of The OMB Law Board, host Simon Bennett is joined by Bailey Bennett from our Property Law team to break down put and call options: what they are, how developers and buil...

Going into business with someone often starts like a honeymoon — full of trust, shared vision and good intentions. But what happens when that relationship breaks down?  In this episode of The OMB Law Board, host Simon Bennett is joined by Erlinda Nunn from our Property & Commercial team to unpack the reality of shareholder and partnership "bust-ups" — why they happen, how they escalate, and wh...

Ever wondered what actually happens behind closed doors at a body corporate committee meeting?  In this episode of The OMB Law Board, host Simon Bennett sits down with Body Corporate Partner Juliette Nairn to unpack the real role, risks and responsibilities of sitting on a committee. From how committees are formed to the governance pitfalls that turn neighbourly disagreements into legal headaches,...

When a relationship ends, the property pool is meant to be shared fairly, but what happens if one person has already spent, gifted, or wasted joint money before settlement? In this episode, Simon Bennett sits down with Family Law Partner Aleena Mills to unpack "add-backs," the legal term for money that's been improperly taken out of the shared pool, and how they're treated under family law. Aleena...

Ever wondered what happens to your brand when you leave a job? Emily Jade O’Keeffe is a Gold Coast radio icon, media personality, and host of the "Move Over Mama" podcast. She has navigated this exact battle multiple times.  In this episode, she shares her real experience fighting restraint of trade clauses, negotiating contracts to protect her name, and learning the hard way why your brand IS you...

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...