Question 1

Is this document a legal document?

Accepted Answer

All master documents have been signed off by Abbott & Mourly lawyers. Tony Anamourlis of Abbott & Mourly advises that “at no time, due to inbuilt legal protection and security measures can a user change or amend a document on the LightYear Docs platform that has been signed off by a practicing solicitor. To do so would result in the user drafting a document of a legal nature and engaging in the provision of legal services. In addition, it would be a breach of copyright. In our opinion when completing the form fields through the LightYear Docs platform, users and their employees are merely carrying out an administrative task which is not the provision of legal advice.”

However in some complex areas such as the insertion of a varied range of client instructions into a Will or other such documents the user must be mindful of the extent to which a document is being drafted by the user rather than merely the administrative task of completing a form where the relevant fields are inserted into the reviewed and signed legal document provided by Abbott & Mourly.

The above advice is born out of numerous cases dating back to Re Sanderson, Ex parte Law Institute of Victoria [1927] VLR 394, 397 where the Court held:

“if a person does a thing usually done by a solicitor, and does it in such a way as to lead to the reasonable inference that he is a solicitor – if he combines professing to be a solicitor with action usually taken by a solicitor – I think he then does act as a solicitor.”

Likewise in ACCC v Murray (2002) 121 FCR 428, 448 where Murray was building a franchise business that involved the legal writing and drafting of Wills from scratch based on the client’s personal circumstances. The Court held that this process was legal work.

Question 2

Is the document easy to read?

Accepted Answer

All LightYear Docs products are written in plain English and assessed for readability. If at any time you come across any errors, please contact support@lightyeardocs.com.au.

Question 3

Is the LightYear Docs reviewed regularly?

Accepted Answer

All LightYear Docs documents form part of the LightYear Docs internal document review cycle. All documents are scheduled to be reviewed at least annually or when required to do so, due to changes in legislation. The LightYear Docs review cycle ensures all of our documents remain current and accurate.

Question 4

When should the investment strategy be completed?

Accepted Answer

An investment strategy is a planning document for the Trustee to determine the Fund’s investment objective for its members, while developing a plan on how to achieve that objective. Ideally it is completed at the start of each income year.

Question 5

The Trustee currently prepares an Investment Strategy after the end of the financial year – is this okay?

Accepted Answer

This does not accord with ATO guidelines and may render the Fund Administrator, Auditor and Trustee liable for any investment losses in the Fund. Follow the LightYear Docs Investment Strategy process for safety and security.

Question 6

How are separate member investment strategies accounted for?

Accepted Answer

Modern day SMSF accounting systems enable the Fund’s administrator to hold specific assets for an investment strategy, so that only income, gains and expenses are allocated to that strategy.

Question 7

Can more than one Member share an investment strategy?

Accepted Answer

Yes but it is best to use the Investment Strategy document on the LightYear Docs portal.

Member Directed Investment Strategy

Member Directed Investment Strategy