With 130 years of legal leadership, RMB Lawyers has the size, strength and experience to handle any legal matter, from one of its 17 offices in regional NSW and Sydney, says lawyer PETA TAYLOR.

LAWYER in RMB Lawyers’ Queanbeyan office, Peta Taylor specialises in family law, wills and estates, and property law. She says the Queanbeyan team together form a significant pool of legal expertise including business and commercial transactions, conveyancing, compensation and personal injury, criminal defence and more.

“There’s not a legal problem we can’t help with,” she says.

“I have significant education and experience in wills and estates law, which incorporates guardianship, trusts, business succession etcetera. 

“This pairs well with my family law practice, as I can help clients reach a resolution that ensures a good division of property during their lifetime, but also protects their estate from claims by their former spouses after they die. 

“I also offer property law, which again lends itself to both my family law and estates practice. It means I will resolve most aspects of an estate or family law matter for clients personally.” 

Peta says she’s passionate about providing efficient and responsible service to clients to give them the best outcomes she can.

“I talk to clients about what their intentions are for their wealth planning, where they’re wanting to head in the future and what they see happening for their family,” says Peta.

“I’m happy to do whatever clients need to make them feel more comfortable. Sometimes people might prefer to have a chat on a walk or go to a coffee shop instead of the office.

“They might only be able to get in on certain days, or can only get in contact via telephone. Anything we can do to help people feel more comfortable we will.”

Peta says she particularly loves the flexible approach RMB Lawyers offers, which means that they can work with clients to cultivate a strategy that is going to best fit their needs and expectations. 

“The knowledge bank within the firm is a significant resource and gives me confidence that our representation of clients is first class,” says Peta. 

“RMB Lawyers has a ‘David and Goliath’ mentality, and a real drive to look at an issue from all angles to find a smart resolution. We are upfront about fees and the client’s prospects from the start and remain approachable throughout the matter.”

And because RMB Lawyers has 17 offices, they have a breadth of skill and knowledge available that means the client can usually see all their matters managed by the one firm.

Peta has a collaborative approach to family law and enjoys working with her client and the other party or their lawyers to reach a prompt resolution.  “In my experience, the law provides a framework for most issues, and it is then up to the lawyer and their client to work together to find a resolution which satisfies the law, but which is also practical for the circumstances of the client and their family,” she says.  

“When families separate, there is a real risk that one party will come away worse off than they need to, either because they agree to a settlement that is not in their favour, or because of legal and court fees.

“When interviewing a family lawyer, clients should actively consider whether the lawyer’s proposed approach is likely to reach a swift resolution, or if it is going to unnecessarily antagonise the other party, making a resolution less likely or more expensive. 

“You need to ensure that the lawyer you are seeing can work with you to help reach a good result, and that they aren’t merely suggesting a pathway that will see you in court without any negotiation first.”

Peta acknowledges that some situations mean that negotiation will be fruitless, or a matter is particularly urgent. 

“In those cases, you are looking for a lawyer that displays in depth knowledge and confidence in relation to the particular urgency for your matter, whether it’s family violence, recovery, or another party who just will not negotiate,” she says. 

 Peta says that while some level of conflict is pretty normal in family law matters, it is certainly possible to avoid the dispute devolving to the point where the parties end up in court, and instead to work together with the parties to reach a prompt and inexpensive resolution.

“Often the best way to achieve this is for both parties to have a lawyer, and for the lawyers to maintain reasonably regular contact. The parties should also endeavour to promptly provide information when it is requested and be open about what they need from this process.

Peta recommends that people facing a family law matter should firstly write down what is important to them under two separate headings – parenting and property. 

“Try to keep the list to no more than 10 items. Then go through and identify what seven items you can live without on that list, and what are the three non-negotiables,” she says.

“Remember that the key concerns of the law in each are: for parenting, the best interests of the child (not the rights of the parents), and for property, your present and future needs.

“It is easy in a matter to lose sight of what is actually important to you, or to your children, so checking back on this list is important.”

Peta says that RMB Lawyers at Queanbeyan are there any time someone feels that they might have a legal issue, or that they “just want to check”. “They should feel encouraged to call us or make an appointment to come in and chat. It is far better for people to take the time and discover that they do not have a claim than to be left wondering. 

“And if someone does have a claim, there are usually strict time frames involved in when steps must be taken, which is important for clients to know.” 

RMB Lawyers, 70 Monaro Street, Queanbeyan. Call 6284 2855 or visit rmblawyers.com.au