Monday 30 January 2023

When is Child Support Applicable and What Does It Cover?

Child Support Cover: The financial well-being of the children is always of the highest consideration when couples separate or divorce. If one parent has custody of the children, for the most part, that doesn’t mean the other parent is no longer obligated to offer financial assistance for the expenses of the children.

So what things does child support typically cover?

The general and the rather broad list includes:

  • Schooling
  • Medical costs
  • Food
  • Housing
  • Clothing
  • Extracurricular activities

Generally, child support is paid by the partner with more income, but less time with the children. The amount is typically negotiated depending on the state of the relationship after the breakdown of the marriage or de facto partnership.

To have an idea of how many children support you might likely be required to pay, you can visit the Child Support Agency (CSA) website and make use of their child support calculator, which takes into account the income and circumstances of both parents, as well as how many children under the age of 18 are involved. This is an estimation tool only.

It’s always the best course of action to be able to work out financial care for the children outside of a courtroom. While it’s not always possible, it is the most amicable.

Some parents may insist on child support amounts that are unfair or too high, desiring to use the money to pay for health insurance and private schooling. While health and schooling come under the broad categories of child support mentioned above, private school fees and premium health insurance policies are up for negotiation between both parents.

To effectively mediate the child support agency process so it’s fair for everybody, it’s best to collaborate with your legal representatives. You need to team up with a law firm that has experience and expertise in collaborative law and family law.

That team in Brisbane Aylward Game Solicitors. With specialist training in this field and many years of practical experience, we are the law firm you can count on for an expedient and fair resolution to your child support requirements.

Article Source: Child Support 

Wednesday 11 January 2023

Professional Reputation and the Google Review What if the Review is False or Defamatory?

This article aims to analyze the recent decision of the Federal Court of Australia in Musicki v Google LCC [2021] FCA 1393 in which the Court ordered that Google LCC give discovery to the Prospective Applicant of all documents that are or have been in the Google LLC’s possession. (defamatory)

Who is who?

According to the facts of the case, the Applicant (Dr. Korana Musicki) is a specialist vascular and endovascular surgeon with considerable international experience. Her referral basis in Australia is largely greater Melbourne and Victoria regions. She also treats patients from interstate and her market is Australia-wide. Further, the Applicant’s petition to Court deposes that an anonymous reviewer, described as “Dave Cross”, has posted a number of false and defamatory criticism of Dr. Musicki in Google Reviews. She contended in the Court document that David Cross was not a patient of hers. She complained in her Application that the name was a “made up pseudonym” and the person responsible had, “manipulated the Google platform to slander me”.

How the Court viewed the Applicant’s request

Her Honour Justice Mortimer said that “I am satisfied, on the evidence, that Dr. Musicki has demonstrated she may have a right to relief, by way of proceedings for defamation. Having read the Google review and considered the evidence on which the applicant relies, I am satisfied that threshold is met. There is ample evidence Dr Musicki has made reasonable enquiries to try to ascertain the identity of the prospective respondent, having ascertained she did not have a patient by that name. She has done all she could be expected to do, in relation to an international corporation such as Google. She has used channels Google has represented to their customers should be used”.

What Applicant asked Google LLC to do?

According to the originating application and Dr. Musicki’s evidence, she had asked Google to remove the post or identify the author of the post. She further submitted that the imputation of the review are that she intentionally overcharges and misleads clients. Dr. Musicki also responded to Google that, “If you stand by that this is a real account with a real review, then I would request for the email of Dave Cross. It, therefore, means he is a real person, and therefore a real patient. And it is my duty of care, as his real doctor, to follow him up. As I don’t have any record of him, I am unable to do this without the contact point which only you can provide”.

Was the Court satisfied by the Applicant’s evidence?

Justice Mortimer in wrapping up her judgment said that she is satisfied Google is likely to have the identification Dr. Musicki requires to commence proceedings, defamatory criticism, namely the description of the real identity of the reviewer, or has or is likely to have control of a document that would help her ascertain that description.

For advice or assistance with all civil litigations and the latest update contact the Civil Litigation Team at Aylward Game Solicitors today on 1800 217 217

Article Source: Defamatory 

Tuesday 10 January 2023

Proof Of Purchase: Should I Obtain Receipt For My Purchase?

This article aims to briefly discuss some of your consumer rights when purchasing a product from any retailer or wholesaler.

Why should I care to obtain a receipt for my purchase?

You always want to make sure that you obtain a receipt for your purchase. Think of a scenario where you purchase a product from a supermarket and as soon as you reach home you find that the product is faulty and that you need to replace it. Some retailers are relaxed when you wish to exchange the product in the prescribed return period if you paid using your credit card. But, the issue about the proof of purchase becomes bumpy when you paid cash to the retailer. You also need to obtain and keep your receipt in case you need to repair, replace or refund the product to the retailer or the wholesaler. It is always prudent to find out the repair, replacement, and refund policies for every item that you purchase whether using a credit card or cash.

My purchase was only $2, is the seller obliged to give me a receipt?

The short answer is yes. When you purchase any product valued over $75, the businesses must give you a receipt. Even if the value is less than $75, you can still ask for a receipt. If the receipt cannot be provided at the time of purchase and you asked for it regardless of the amount, the business has seven days from the purchase date to provide you with the proof of your purchase, being a receipt.

What a valid receipt should contain?

A valid receipt should display the business’ name or its ABN or ACN numberdate of supply, and the name of the product plus its price. If the GST is applicable, the display must inform as how much you are paying for the GST in addition to the price of the item you purchase.

Do I need to ask what the price of the product is?

No, you shouldn’t have to. The law requires businesses to display the total price for each product displayed for sale. Either a tag is attached to the product you are looking to purchase, or the price must be visible on the item itself. Businesses usually label the products with their final price and that must include GST.

Disingenuous price offers

You need to be diligent about some offers that simply do not make any sense. For instance, it would be quite unusual that you to be told that a gold bracelet or necklace can have a 70% discount from its total price, as it was. The prices must also be genuine and match with what has been advertised or promoted in the advertisement you found them.

Can I ask the business for an itemized bill for the service they rendered to me?

Yes, you can. You have up to 30 days from the purchase date to request that the business provide you with an itemized statement. Such a statement, at minimum, should inform you of how the price was calculated and the list of materials used, and the amount charged for them, where applicable. The business must provide the itemized statement to you within seven days of the request.

I am tired of keeping hard copies of the receipts. Is there any alternative?

Yes, there is. If you so desire, you may download an application called the ACCC Shopper for smartphones and tablets from iTunes for Apple iOS users, and Google Play for Android users that, among other things, enables you to store digital copies of your receipts.

For advice or assistance with all consumer law matters, contact the Consumer Law Team at Aylward Game Solicitors today on 1800 217 217

Find Brisbane consumer lawyers on Google Maps near you.

You may also like to know more information about the related article:

Article Source: Proof Of Purchase