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Christmas Present Tips for Guys

Christmas Shopping Tips for Guys

giftgreen1Most of us guys are useless at Christmas shopping. Here's a few tips I've picked up over the years.

Ladies, you might want to share this with the men in your family to avoid getting an undesirable and badly wrapped present this Christmas.

  1. Buying your Christmas presents at a petrol station or dairy on Christmas morning really isn't the done thing - apparently not everyone wants a funnel, box of biscuits or a car care kit. Don't do it.
  2. Get started early, no not on Christmas Eve, yesterday was already too late.
  3. First thing in the morning is the best time to Christmas shop, and I mean first thing, teenagers are still in bed.
  4. It's not the thought that counts, it's how MUCH thought that counts.
  5. Cash is a GREAT present for teenagers - and me.
  6. If you must give gift vouchers make sure they are from a shop the recipient actually shops in and try and avoid those with an expiry date.
  7. Wrapping and cards are important, you and I know it's just paper but for some reason they are important.
  8. Before you start browsing in a shop check that it does gift wrapping and accept the service - wait if necessary. If the shop doesn't do gift wrapping move on to the next. Unless you are an expert present wrapper - Yeah Right!
  9. Even if every present you buy is gift wrapped, buy plenty of wrapping paper and sellotape. You are going to need it because dairy's and petrol stations don't gift wrap and being a bloke you'll probably ignore number 1.

Guys ignore the above at your peril and have a wonderful Christmas.

Posted in Commentary.

4 common misconceptions about Wills

Many people misunderstand the issue of contesting wills, often believing they are uncontestable.

emptycanHowever there are 4 fairly common reasons for a will to be challenged, and re-considered by the courts.

1.  Division of relationship property

When a partner or spouse is not included in someone’s Will, it can be challenged. If a couple has been in a relationship for three or more years, or have had a child together, it is generally held that you are entitled to half of the relationship property.

2.  Moral duty

When family relationships break down it does not necessarily mean that you lose the ability to be remembered in your parents will. Even if it had got to the point of “not talking to each other ”there is a strong argument that parents have a moral duty to provide some of their property to you. This argument can often be successfully extended to grandchildren, step-children being able to make the same claim.

3.  Invalid Will

Especially with wills made late in life there are often grounds for the entire will being invalidated, such as it not being signed or witnessed properly, or when elderly people have been inappropriately pressured in creating their Will. There is also the matter of whether someone was in full control of their own mind at the time of making the will, and that can be sufficient grounds to have a Will challenged.

4.  Promises not kept

Often a person promises money or possessions (particularly items of sentimental value) to a particular person, and this is not reflected in the Will. When a promise is made, and not kept, that is sufficient grounds to challenge a Will usually.

 How do you contest a Will?

There is no better tip than “get expert legal advice”. Generally an excellent lawyer will try to seek a resolution that works for all parties without having to go to court as that can be expensive, and creating permanent relationship damage in families. If taking the matter to court is required, then you will definitely need an expert who understands both the law, and the process of navigating the issues.

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