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Hypothetical by Manny Wood published on 25 July 2020. After separating from his wife, Peter commences a relationship with Mary in 2006. Mary has few assets and is 25 years his junior. They keep their finances separate. Peter pays the rent and they share the other expenses. Mary undertakes all of the household cleaning and cooking. Mary has a poor relationship with Peter’s three children from his previous relationship. Mary’s three children move-in with Peter. After Peter’s property settlement with his ex-wife is finalised, he purchases a property for $700,000 and Mary and her children move-in with him. In 2016, Peter and Mary enter into a Binding [...]

Hypothetical by Manny Wood published on 18 July 2020. In February 2019, Laura was admitted to hospital for abdominal pain, vomiting and diarrhoea. Upon admission, she underwent blood tests and a CT scan of her abdomen which lead to a diagnosis of Crohn’s disease. She was discharged later that afternoon. Three months later, she was re-admitted due to experiencing an exacerbation of symptoms. She was treated with intravenous fluids and transferred to the general ward. Whilst in the general ward, her family raised concerns with the nursing staff about her ongoing pain. Laura was assessed by the medical emergency team and diagnosed with severe dehydration, a mild [...]

Hypothetical by Manny Wood published on 11 July 2020. In 2018, Denise sought the help of Dr Thompson to become pregnant through IVF. During their initial consultation, Denise advised the Doctor that she did not want a twin pregnancy. Dr Thompson stressed that unless he transferred two embryos, the chance of falling pregnant would be very low. Denise accepted that risk and instructed the Doctor to transfer one embryo only. It was ordinary protocol for IVF patients to instruct the clinic’s embryologist, as well as their Doctor, about the number of embryos they wished to be transferred. The three parties would then have a conference confirming [...]

Published in the Coffs Coast Advocate on 27 June 2020. It is with a sense of sadness that after 329 columns, I write the last Hypothetical that will be published in a physical version of the Saturday Advocate. I want to take this opportunity to thank the Advocate’s staff for allowing me to contribute for almost seven years. I also want to thank the readers for their support and suggestions. If I had not received the positive feedback that I have over the years, I would not have taken the time to write the column every week. […]

Hypothetical by Manny Wood published in the Coffs Coast Advocate on 20 June 2020. As a successful businesswoman, Sally has built up an impressive portfolio worth around $1.5 million.  Sally books an appointment to make a will and tells her solicitor that she would like to split her estate equally between her two children. Sally also mentions that she is concerned about her eldest son, Jim who has been married to Jill for three years, but that the relationship “is looking quite rocky”.  Sally is worried that if Jim and Jill were to separate after Sally died, Jill could make a claim on Jim’s inheritance. Her solicitor suggests [...]