Introduction and check list – equity release products – Solicitor’s certificates

If you are borrowing money or guaranteeing a loan the bank will ask you to seek independent legal advice.

Please note that this is to provide advice and a certificate combined with a letter of advice and not about witnessing a document.

These products are notoriously complex with potentially serious consequences for the borrower/ Guarantor. As lawyers we must discharge our obligations to the client when we are retained to advice.

As there are no ‘standard’ products or conditions, before us dispensing legal advice we need to spend time reading the fine print and advice you.

Time: it may take approximately 1 to 2 hrs based on the complexity of the matter and number of documents provided. 

Certificate format: legal practitioners can only provide certificates of advice for borrowers and guarantors to lenders only as referred to in rule 11 of Legal Profession Uniform Legal Practice (Solicitors) Rules 2015.

Check list – before the consultation

  1. Prior to the advice session please email all the documents that the lender has sent to you.
    1. If you do not have a soft copy to email us, you must ask the lender to email you or at least ask and bring a complete extra set of documents for us to keep for our records (unless soft copy is emailed)
  2. You must email colour copies of hundred points of identification (passport + DL) and bring the originals for us to complete the VOI form.
  3. It is very important that you do not sign any documents before our advice.
  4. We will ask you to complete a capture sheet (e.g.: personal and business contact etc.). We need this information to maintain integrity of our records, to protect you and the public generally against the possibility of fraud and to ensure that we do not have a conflict of interest that would preclude us from acting for you.
  5. We may record the advice session and if required may produce before a fact-finding tribunal. 
  6. We will be proving you a written summary of the advice.

Fee Estimation Starts from 440Aud (the exact amount will depend on the matter)

We will provide a quote once we assess the full set of loan documents.

  • Usual fees: 440Aud (approximately)
  • Additional person: 110Aud
  • If required to witness documents other than providing the certificate: 110Aud

Our Contact details
Mobile: 0425725570

Unit 13, 30-32 Langhorne Street, DANDENONG, VIC 3175; &
Suite 12B, 93 Wells Road, CHELSEA HEIGHTS, VIC 3196

PO Box 203. Lynbrook, VIC 3975

Phone: 97913394 (Dandenong)
Phone: 97722100 (Chelsea Heights)