Practical legal advice. Personal service.
Experienced lawyers helping Queensland individuals, families and businesses with property, commercial matters, wills and estates, retirement living and elder law.
At Watt & Severin Solicitors, you are more than a file number.
We are a boutique law firm in Milton, Brisbane, providing practical, experienced and accessible legal advice to clients throughout Queensland.
We believe good legal service starts with understanding our clients — their circumstances, their concerns and what they are trying to achieve. We take the time to listen, explain your options in plain English and provide pragmatic advice focused on practical and cost-effective solutions.
Whether you are buying your first home, selling an investment property, entering into a commercial transaction, planning for the future, administering the estate of someone close to you or considering a move into retirement living, our team is here to help.
How we can help
Residential & Commercial Property
Property transactions can involve some of life's largest financial decisions.
We act for buyers and sellers of houses, units, vacant land and commercial property, as well as investors and property developers.
Our residential conveyancing service is not a high-volume, "tick and flick" service. Our experienced property team manages the day-to-day requirements of your transaction, with direct access to our Principal Solicitor whenever legal advice, guidance or problem-solving is required.
We strongly encourage buyers to obtain legal advice before signing a contract and offer fixed-fee pre-contract reviews.
Buying Property | Selling Property | Contract Reviews | Commercial Property
Wills & Estate Planning
Planning for what happens when you die can be uncomfortable. It is also one of the most important things you can do for yourself and the people you care about.
We make the process approachable.
We take the time to understand your family, assets, relationships and wishes and explain your options in straightforward language. From a Will and Enduring Power of Attorney through to more considered estate-planning strategies, our aim is to help you put appropriate arrangements in place with confidence.
Where appropriate, we work collaboratively with your accountant, financial adviser and other professional advisers as part of the estate-planning process.
Wills | Estate Planning | Enduring Powers of Attorney
Probate & Estate Administration
Being appointed an executor can feel daunting, particularly when you are also dealing with the death of someone close to you.
Our experienced estate administration team can guide you through the process, from obtaining Probate or Letters of Administration through to the practical requirements involved in administering and distributing an estate.
We advise executors about their duties and responsibilities and provide practical guidance throughout the administration.
Where a dispute arises, we also advise executors, beneficiaries and eligible claimants in relation to estate disputes and Family Provision Applications.
Probate | Letters of Administration | Estate Administration | Executor Advice | Family Provision Applications
Retirement Villages & Manufactured Homes
Moving into retirement living is much more than a property transaction.
The legal and financial arrangements can be unfamiliar and complex, and the decision often occurs during a significant period of change for an individual and their family.
We advise clients entering and leaving retirement villages and manufactured-home communities throughout Queensland. We review contracts, residence documents and site agreements and provide practical advice about fees, exit arrangements, resale requirements, site rent and disputes.
Most importantly, we explain the documents and their consequences in a way that makes sense.
Our aim is to ensure that you understand the arrangement you are entering into and have the opportunity to make an informed decision before you sign.
Retirement Villages | Manufactured Homes | Retirement Living Advice
Business & Commercial Law
Running a business involves decisions that have both commercial and legal consequences.
We provide practical legal advice to small and medium businesses across a range of transactions and commercial arrangements.
Our work includes buying and selling businesses, commercial and retail leasing, shareholders agreements, business structures, consultant and contractor agreements, terms and conditions and general commercial contracts.
We focus on understanding the commercial objective behind the transaction — not simply the legal document.
Buying a Business | Selling a Business | Commercial Leasing | Commercial Agreements
Elder Law
Legal issues affecting older people often involve much more than the law.
They can involve family relationships, independence, decision-making capacity, financial arrangements, accommodation and difficult decisions about the future.
We provide compassionate and practical advice to older Queenslanders and their families concerning Enduring Powers of Attorney, Advance Health Directives, capacity issues, attorney arrangements and disputes, retirement living and other later-life legal issues.
We understand that these conversations require patience, sensitivity and clear communication.
Elder Law Advice | Powers of Attorney | Capacity & Attorney Issues
A law firm where people still know their clients
Watt & Severin Solicitors has been serving clients from Milton since 2011, continuing a professional relationship that began when Penny Severin joined James Watt & Co in 2005 while completing her law degree.
Penny was admitted as a solicitor in 2009 and became James Watt's business partner in 2011. Following James' retirement after more than 40 years in legal practice, Penny continues Watt & Severin Solicitors as Principal Solicitor.
We have deliberately remained a boutique practice.
That means when you telephone our office, you speak with our team. When you send us an email, we respond. When your matter requires a solicitor's advice, you can speak with the solicitor responsible for it.
Our team works closely together, so your matter is known within the firm rather than disappearing into a large organisation.
It is a traditional approach to professional service, supported by contemporary legal knowledge and experience.
Why choose Watt & Severin?
Personal service
We get to know our clients and their matters. You are not simply another transaction or file number.
Experienced advice
Our team brings substantial experience in our chosen areas of practice, with direct solicitor involvement whenever legal advice is required.
Plain English
The law can be complicated. Our explanations don't need to be. We explain your options and their practical consequences in language you can understand.
Accessible
Our Milton office is conveniently located on the fringe of Brisbane's CBD. We welcome clients who prefer to meet face-to-face and can also assist clients remotely throughout Queensland.
Practical and pragmatic
We focus on what matters. Where there is a sensible, cost-effective solution to a problem, we will help you find it.
Fair and transparent fees
We believe legal costs should be clear and reasonable. Fixed-fee services are available for many of the matters we handle, and we will discuss costs with you before commencing work.
Legal advice doesn't need to feel intimidating.
Sometimes you know exactly what legal service you need. Sometimes you simply know that you need some advice.
Either way, you are welcome to call us.
Speak with our friendly team about your circumstances and we can help you determine the next step.
Call Watt & Severin Solicitors
Milton, Brisbane | Assisting clients throughout Queensland