A little more clarity
Questions welcome.
Always.
Plain-English answers from the firm’s published information. General information only; ask the firm about your circumstances.
Before you get started
- Where is CPC Lawyers?
- Suite 1, 227–235 Unley Road, Malvern SA 5061, about 3 km from the Adelaide CBD. The office is open Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 5:00pm.
- How do I contact CPC Lawyers?
- Call (08) 7325 0219 or email info@cpclawyers.com.au. The principal’s direct email, published by the firm, is theodosi@cpclawyers.com.au.
- Who handles family law at CPC Lawyers?
- Rebecca Lucas is Head of Family Law. Danielle Ghinis is an associate solicitor in that team. Theodosi Cotsaris also acts in family law.
- How much does a divorce cost at CPC Lawyers?
- The firm publishes a $900 court filing fee for an Application for Divorce. Concession holders and people in financial hardship may pay less. The solicitor’s fee is a separate estimate, given at the consultation. Confirm the figure with the firm. This is a spec page.
- Does CPC Lawyers publish fixed fees?
- It publishes the $900 divorce filing fee and says other fees are flexible and set out up front. A full price list is not published. Ask for a written estimate before work starts.
- Can I get help paying family law fees?
- The firm has published a partnership with JustFund. Eligible clients may use a line of credit for family law fees and related expenses, repaid at settlement. JustFund decides eligibility.
- Does anyone at the firm speak Greek?
- Yes. Principal solicitor Theodosi Cotsaris is fluent in Greek and advises Greek-speaking clients.
- Is this the official CPC Lawyers website?
- No. This is an unsolicited spec concept by Vendrato. The firm’s website is cpclawyers.com.au. Call (08) 7325 0219 to reach the office.
Divorce and family law
- Who handles family law at CPC Lawyers?
- Rebecca Lucas is Head of Family Law. Danielle Ghinis is an associate solicitor in the family law team. Principal solicitor Theodosi Cotsaris also acts in family law.
- What is the published cost of a divorce application?
- CPC Lawyers publishes a $900 filing fee for an Application for Divorce. Concession holders and people in financial hardship may pay a reduced filing fee. The solicitor’s own fee is quoted at the consultation. This is a spec page: confirm the figure with the firm.
- Can family law fees be paid at settlement?
- The firm has published a partnership with JustFund. Eligible clients may use a line of credit for legal fees and related expenses, with repayment deferred until settlement. JustFund decides eligibility.
Conveyancing
- Who manages a conveyancing file at CPC Lawyers?
- Nicole Thomas is the conveyancing file manager. Principal solicitor Theodosi Cotsaris also practises in conveyancing.
- Does CPC Lawyers publish a fixed conveyancing fee?
- No fixed conveyancing fee is published on the firm’s website. The firm says fees are set out up front. Ask for a written estimate.
- When should I call about a contract?
- Before you sign, if the contract is not yet signed. If it is signed, call with the settlement date and the property address.
Wills and estate planning
- Who prepares wills at CPC Lawyers?
- The firm’s wills and estates team, as published, is Theodosi Cotsaris, Mariah Ikonomopoulos, Charlotte Woodroffe and senior associate Mary-Lee Hutchins.
- Can a power of attorney be done with the will?
- Yes. The firm lists powers of attorney and advance care directives alongside wills, and recommends putting them in place at the same time as the will.
- Is a will fee published?
- No. Ask for a written estimate before the documents are prepared.
Business and commercial law
- Who does commercial law at CPC Lawyers?
- Theodosi Cotsaris, principal solicitor, with associate Mariah Ikonomopoulos and solicitor Charlotte Woodroffe.
- Does the firm publish commercial hourly rates?
- No rate card is published. The firm says it gives flexible fees up front. Ask for the estimate before the file opens.
- Can the same firm handle the dispute if a contract fails?
- The firm lists civil litigation as well as commercial law, and Theodosi Cotsaris’s published practice includes litigation. Whether the firm can act still depends on the particular matter.
Debt collection
- Does CPC Lawyers chase every unpaid invoice?
- No. The firm has written that recovery depends on the debtor’s means, the evidence, the amount owed and the likely cost, and that some debts should be written off.
- Who do I speak to about a business debt?
- Theodosi Cotsaris and the commercial team, including Mariah Ikonomopoulos.
- Is there a set price for a letter of demand?
- The firm has not published one. Ask for an estimate before any letter is sent.
Civil litigation
- Who runs civil litigation at CPC Lawyers?
- Theodosi Cotsaris. His firm profile says he has led litigation for individual and corporate clients.
- Does the firm advertise no-win-no-fee litigation?
- No. Nothing on the firm’s site offers no-win-no-fee civil litigation. Ask how the matter would be charged.
- Where is the office if I need to bring documents?
- Suite 1, 227–235 Unley Road, Malvern SA 5061. Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 5:00pm.
Probate and deceased estates
- Can CPC Lawyers apply for probate?
- The firm lists probate and deceased estates. Theodosi Cotsaris and Mariah Ikonomopoulos publish estate administration among their work.
- What should I bring to the first conversation?
- The will if there is one, any death certificate, and a list of the main assets. Say at the outset if there is no will or if the estate is already disputed.
- Is a probate fee published?
- No. Ask for a written estimate. A disputed estate costs more than a straightforward grant.
Property law
- What is the difference between conveyancing and property law here?
- Conveyancing is the purchase, sale or transfer. Property law is the firm’s work on leases, strata, development and property disputes.
- Who acts on property disputes?
- Theodosi Cotsaris and Mariah Ikonomopoulos. Both publish property law in their practice descriptions.
- Is a lease review a fixed price?
- The firm has not published a fixed price. Take the lease to the first conversation and ask for an estimate.
Business purchase and sale
- Who acts on the sale of a business?
- The commercial team: Theodosi Cotsaris, Mariah Ikonomopoulos and Charlotte Woodroffe.
- Can the same firm do the premises as well as the business contract?
- The firm lists conveyancing and property law as well as business sales, so the lease or the land can stay in the same office. Confirm that on your file.
- Is due diligence included in a standard fee?
- No standard fee is published. Ask the estimate to say whether due diligence is included.
Building and construction law
- Does CPC Lawyers have a separate construction team?
- The firm lists building and construction law. It does not name a separate construction partner. Theodosi Cotsaris is the principal who publishes litigation and commercial work.
- What should I take to the first meeting?
- The building contract, variations, and any notice about payment or defects, with dates.
- Is there a published fee for a building dispute?
- No. Ask for a written estimate before work starts.
Powers of attorney and advance care directives
- Who prepares powers of attorney at CPC Lawyers?
- The wills and estates lawyers: Theodosi Cotsaris, Mariah Ikonomopoulos, Charlotte Woodroffe and Mary-Lee Hutchins.
- Can this be done in the same appointment as a will?
- The firm lists the documents together and recommends putting them in place at the same time as a will.
- Is the fee published?
- No. Ask for a written estimate, and ask that a combined will and power of attorney be quoted as one figure if that is what you want.
Loan guarantors
- Who advises guarantors at CPC Lawyers?
- Theodosi Cotsaris. His profile lists guarantor matters, and the firm has published an explanation of guarantee risk and solicitor’s certificates.
- Can the firm sign a solicitor’s certificate?
- The firm writes about solicitor’s certificates for guarantors. Ask whether Theodosi can give the certificate the lender wants on your particular loan. This page cannot say that he can.
- Should I sign at the bank and ask later?
- The firm’s published material treats a guarantee as a serious personal risk. Speak to the solicitor before you sign. This is not advice on your loan.