What to Do When Someone Dies Without a WillWhat to Do When Someone Dies Without a Will

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What to Do When Someone Dies Without a Will

Hello, my name is Kerry. Last year my mother died suddenly. When we went through her papers, we discovered she didn't have a will. My mother had been married to another man before she met my father and I had a couple of step brothers. Unfortunately, they turned up on our doorstep and started to demand that we hand over my mother's life savings to them and their family. I contacted a lawyer who specialises in probate law. She talked me through my case and explained how we would defend it in court. Thankfully, the matter was resolved to my satisfaction and I could start to grieve for my mother. I decided to start this blog to help others who have a contested will on their hands.

Criminal Charges: Understanding the Primary Stealing Offences

21 December 2016
 Categories: , Blog

Stealing is a common occurrence, and, often, pertinent crimes are not reported to the police. As a result, this category of offences has become misunderstood by the community. Consequently, you might find yourself unexpectedly charged with the crime of stealing. Here is a brief description of the offences that constitute stealing to help you fully grasp the legal offence.

Simple Theft

The crime of theft involves intentionally taking an item that belongs to another person. This action is usually taken without proper consent of the owner, and there is normally no intention to return the possession. The item in question can be anything of value such as a vehicle, jewellery and even an animal. If you are charged with this crime, the prosecution will only be required to prove that you had no rights of ownership of the item or intention to give it back.

Shoplifting and Not Paying

Shoplifting often seems like a straightforward stealing crime, but it has aspects that are not apparent. In its simplest form, this crime involves taking goods without authority or payment from a shop. If you do not pay for food, drinks, services or accommodation, you will be charged with the same crime. Additionally, the offence encompasses altering or removing the tags from an item in order to get lower prices. If the stolen value is equal to or less than $150, the crime will be considered to be a minor regulatory offence. If the value is higher, the crime may not be considered as shoplifting. You might be charged with theft or fraud.

Burglary

Essentially, burglary is the action of entering into a building with the intention to steal or commit a similar offence. However, if you remain in a building without authorisation as a trespasser, you will be charged with same offence. The charges will be more severe if the circumstances surrounding the situation are serious. For instance, an individual will be charged with aggravated burglary if they had or pretended to have a firearm or were reckless in their actions without regard for the occupants' lives.

Fraud

Fraud is an important type of stealing offence, and it involves getting goods, money or services by telling lies or withholding the truth. There are different forms of fraud that people are often charged with in the country. These include gaining benefit and causing detriment to a person or company and using other people's property, valuable items or even identity.

If you have been charged with a stealing offence, consult a criminal lawyer for assistance.