Privacy Policy

Estates Now Pty Ltd (ABN 896 890 92751)

Estates Now Pty Ltd (referred to in this document as we, us, or our) recognises that your privacy is important and we are committed to protecting the personal information we collect from you.

The Privacy Act 1988 (Cth), the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) and any applicable registered privacy codes govern the way in which we manage your personal information. This policy sets out how we collect, use, disclose and otherwise manage your personal information.

1. Collection

Types of information collected

We may collect and hold personal information about you, being information that identifies you or could reasonably identify you, and which is relevant to providing legal and related services.

The kinds of personal information we typically collect include:

Full name, title and contact details (address, phone number, email)
Date of birth and identification details
Gender (where relevant to legal documentation)
Bank account and financial details
Business name, ABN and type of business
Asset and liability information
Estate planning instructions
Property transaction details
Information relating to beneficiaries, executors, attorneys or family members
Any other information relevant to the legal services you are seeking

Method of collection

Personal information will generally be collected directly from you through:

Our standard client forms
Our website
Email correspondence
Telephone or video consultations
In-person meetings

We may also collect personal information from third parties acting on your behalf (for example, accountants, financial advisers, brokers, real estate agents, referrers, or family members).

There may be instances where personal information about you is collected indirectly because it is unreasonable or impracticable to collect it directly from you. Where possible, we will notify you of this, either beforehand or as soon as reasonably practicable after collection.

Purpose of collection

The personal information we collect and hold depends on your interaction with us. Generally, we collect, use and hold your personal information for the purposes of:

Providing estate planning, probate, estate administration and property law services
Acting on your behalf in conveyancing transactions in Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria
Preparing legal documents including wills, testamentary discretionary trusts, powers of attorney and related documents
Communicating with third parties on your behalf (such as courts, banks, titles offices and government bodies)
Providing information about our services that may be relevant to you
Facilitating internal business operations and compliance obligations
Improving our services and client experience
Seeking feedback or testimonials (with your consent)
Complying with legal, regulatory and professional obligations

2. Failure to Provide Information

3. Internet Users

If you access our website, we may collect additional information such as your IP address, browser type or domain name.

Our website may contain links to other websites. Estates Now Pty Ltd is not responsible for the privacy practices of linked websites. Those websites are not subject to this Privacy Policy.

4. Use and Disclosure

We will generally only use or disclose personal information for the purposes for which it was collected, as outlined above.

We may disclose your personal information to:

Our related entities and associated businesses (including DDP Property where relevant to internal client servicing)
Third party service providers who assist us in operating our business (including IT providers, cloud storage providers, payment processors, title search providers and professional advisers)
Courts, tribunals, government departments, titles offices and regulatory bodies where required
Financial institutions, real estate agents and other parties involved in your matter
A purchaser of the assets or operations of our business (if sold as a going concern)
Where required or permitted by law

Some third party service providers may store data outside Australia. We take reasonable steps to ensure appropriate safeguards are in place.

5. Security

We store personal information in both electronic and physical formats.

We take reasonable steps to protect personal information from misuse, loss, unauthorised access, modification or disclosure. These measures include:

Secure client management systems
Password protection and multi-factor authentication
Secure physical storage of paper files
Restricted access to confidential information

6. Access and Correction

You may request access to personal information we hold about you by making a written request.

We will respond within a reasonable timeframe. We may charge a reasonable administrative fee for processing access requests (but not for lodging a request).

We may decline access in circumstances permitted under the Privacy Act. If we do, we will provide written reasons unless it would be unreasonable to do so.

If you believe that personal information we hold about you is inaccurate, incomplete or out of date, please notify us promptly. We will take reasonable steps to correct the information.

If we refuse to correct the information, we will provide written reasons and inform you of your complaint options.

7. Complaints and Feedback

If you believe we have breached the Privacy Act or Australian Privacy Principles, you may contact us using the details below. We will investigate your complaint and respond within a reasonable timeframe.

If you are not satisfied with our response, you may lodge a complaint with the:

Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC)
Website: www.oaic.gov.au

8. Contact Us

If you have any questions, concerns or complaints regarding this Privacy Policy or how we handle your personal information, please contact:

Privacy Officer
Estates Now Pty Ltd
Email: info@estatesnow.com.au

9. More Information

For more information about privacy rights and obligations in Australia, visit the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner at:
www.oaic.gov.au