danielle d hodgens lawyer and mediator
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our Services

Our team has the extensive experience and knowledge needed to provide excellent service to all our clients. We offer services in several areas of law.
We are the only practice on the Tablelands with practitioners who are specially trained to provide modern collaborative solutions to Family Law disputes.
Our team works to provide clients with the simplest, most cost effective legal solutions for each case. Our proactive approach helps avoid undesirable complications and costs.

* click on the items to the left to read about our legal services

Collaborative Solutions

Collaborative Law is a new method of resolving disputes. It is ideal for resolving family disputes, and is usually simpler, less stressful and less expensive than... read more

Family Law

The breakdown of a marriage or relationship can be one of the most traumatic times in a person's life. We're very sensitive to this, and provide understanding, expert legal guidance on your obligations and rights, including:
  • division of property
  • children's matters
  • Domestic Violence issues
  • binding Financial Agreements
  • divorce
  • Mediation
We offer a range of legal services in the extremely complex area of Family Law. We provide our clients with the highest standard of service, designed to identify and make sense of all issues. We clearly explain the relevant law & how it applies, and advise on the options available to resolve the issues.
We have a strong interest in settling family law disputes with as little stress & expense as possible to our clients, by settling quickly through the processes of Collaborative Practice or Mediation. Naturally, if a dispute can't be settled through either of these methods, we can also help you proceed to litigation in Court.

Conveyancing (buying & selling property)

Conveyancing is the process of buying and selling a house or land. We are experts in this field and we love our work!
Whether you're buying or selling property, we will ensure the entire transaction goes smoothly. We'll guide you through any difficult areas of the property sales contract, such as financing, pest and building reports, title searches, stamp duty, working with tenants, special conditions, body corporate issues, and so on.
We can also assist you with the buying or selling of a farm or small business and will listen carefully to your instructions and assist you throughout the process, from the initial drawing up of a contract through to settlement.
The professional services of a lawyer are important in property transactions and we will not cut corners in order to offer 'discount' conveyances - we think it is simply not worth the risk. Our team will monitor your file daily and can offer assistance with:
  • mortgages (both chattels and real property)
  • advice on easements and covenants
  • Due Diligence work
  • sale or Purchase of real property (including Strata titled property)
We keep abreast of industry changes & protocols and aim to make your sale or purchase as stress free as possible.

Commercial Law

Business-related legal matters can be complex and confusing for clients, and mistakes can be very costly. Our firm can assist you with any of the following:
  • formation of a Company
  • partnerships
  • family Trusts
  • contract drafting
  • leasing (commercial, industrial, residential, retail or rural)
  • bills of sale
  • mortgages & debt agreements
  • agistment, crop farm sharing agreements
  • Crown leasehold property
  • water rights
  • stamp duty liability
We keep abreast of industry changes & protocols and aim to make dealing with your commercial legal matters as stress free as possible.

Crime

We can assist you with:
  • pleas of guilty/not guilty
  • hearings
  • trials
If you are approached by the Police and feel intimidated, please call us. We can assist you and accompany you while you are at the Police station. When the Police are investigating a crime they seek suspects, and their investigation process requires them to ask questions.
Unfortunately, many people do not have the presence of mind to refuse the Police and therefore provide information which is loaded with admissions. This can result in the Police laying charges.
Being arrested and charged with an offence is extremely intimidating. Before this occurs, you should obtain legal advice, particularly if you are not familiar with the Court procedures.

If your case requires a Barrister

We have access to highly experienced Barristers who can assist in obtaining the best possible outcome in the circumstances.

Traffic Offences

The most common traffic offences are drink driving, driving without a licence and dangerous driving.
Our legal team is experienced to assist you, if you face any traffic charges. We can provide you with support, legal advice and an explanation of what to expect in Court. We will also represent you in Court.
If you're charged with drink driving and have your driver's licence suspended or cancelled, you may be eligible to apply for a Restricted Work Licence. This will allow you to continue using your vehicle to get to work.
If you've lost your licence because you've reached the maximum nuber of driver demerit points, you may be able to apply for a 'Special Licence'.

Please contact us to discuss your circumstances - we'll help you achieve your best possible outcome in Court.

Wills

If you pass away without a Will, your assets would be distributed according to rules that are set by Legislation. The rules make no allowance for the needs or interests of particular relatives or friends.
However, a properly drawn Will ensures that your assets are distributed according to your wishes. We can assist you with the preparation of your Will, or review an existing Will.

Estate Planning

If a person passes away (whether there is a Will or not) and adequate provision has not been made from the estate for the proper maintenance and support of the deceased person's spouse, child or dependant, they can apply for the Court to order that some provision from the estate be made for them.
This process may disadvantage other parties and can delay administration of the overall estate by several months.
These negative outcomes can be avoided by preparing an Estate Plan. This is basically a written plan, which ensures that complex family situations, business partnerships, taxation requirements, and any other legal or financial matters are identified and allowed for.
In this way, your family and friends will receive the benefits of your estate without incurring legal or emotional problems.

Enduring Power of Attorney

This is a legal document authorising another person, such as a trusted friend or relative, to act on your behalf in your affairs. This person is known as your 'attorney'. It is a convenient method of allowing someone to handle your affairs if you:
  • travel overseas or take an extended holiday
  • suffer poor health
  • reach an age when you need greater assistance
Knowing you have an attorney capable of dealing with your affairs when you are absent or incapacitated gives you peace of mind.