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smart legal advice
We consider the different legal options and your specific circumstances so that we can provide you with tailored legal advice
our firm
We are a boutique local Coffs Harbour law firm that believes in great customer service. We aim to tailor our services to your specific needs and try to keep our costs as low as possible so that we can provide you with professional legal services at a very competitive rate. We offer after hours consultations and are very flexible and discrete in the way we communicate with you so that your daily life will not be interrupted by your legal matter.
Stressfree approach
While offering legal services in all areas of family law, wills and estate law, Smart Choice Law aims to help our clients to take the stress out of it.The warm welcoming feel in our office, which is located at Shop 1/ 45 Grafton St, Coffs Harbour, helps clients to relax. We believe that a solicitor's office does not need to look boring or intimidating.We tried to make our office's atmosphere friendly, cozy and welcoming - just like at home. So far we have had great feedback from our clients about our cosy premises.
Kerstin Thode
Principal Solicitor
Our director and principal solicitor Kerstin has many years of experience in the areas of Family Law and Wills, Estate planning and administration.
Kerstin is a collaboratively trained divorce lawyer, and trying to keep separating families away from court, so that it is possible for them to maintain a good relationship, Kerstin has worked for over a decade as a solicitor in family law in the Coffs Harbour area and understands the local challenges of her clients. Kerstin grew up in Germany and practised as a German lawyer, before moving to Coffs Harbour in 2002. Before practising as a lawyer in Australia, Kerstin worked as a Mediator locally for several years. Kerstin is a registered Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner and facilitates mediations. (You can find more information on the FDRP Register of the Attorney General's Department here.) Kerstin is also an accredited Break-up and Divorce Coach Practitioner, and is trained to coach her clients through separation and divorce.
"I really enjoy helping people and working with them. This includes helping my clients through sometimes painful experiences and understanding their loss. Even though it can sometimes be challenging for everyone, it is always rewarding when my clients are pleased with their end results. We try to keep it amicable and civil between the parties."
At Smart Choice Law we aim to resolve legal disputes as quickly and cost efficiently as possible so that our clients do not end up with enormous legal costs.
Kerstin loves the lifestyle at the Coffs Coast and believes that this is a great place to live and raise her two children. Kerstin is a member of the NSW Law Society, the Clarence Valley and Coffs Harbour Regional Law Society (where she currently is the co- vice- president), the Family Law Practitioner Association in Coffs Harbour and the Law Council of Australia.
Kerstin is a collaboratively trained divorce lawyer, and trying to keep separating families away from court, so that it is possible for them to maintain a good relationship, Kerstin has worked for over a decade as a solicitor in family law in the Coffs Harbour area and understands the local challenges of her clients. Kerstin grew up in Germany and practised as a German lawyer, before moving to Coffs Harbour in 2002. Before practising as a lawyer in Australia, Kerstin worked as a Mediator locally for several years. Kerstin is a registered Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner and facilitates mediations. (You can find more information on the FDRP Register of the Attorney General's Department here.) Kerstin is also an accredited Break-up and Divorce Coach Practitioner, and is trained to coach her clients through separation and divorce.
"I really enjoy helping people and working with them. This includes helping my clients through sometimes painful experiences and understanding their loss. Even though it can sometimes be challenging for everyone, it is always rewarding when my clients are pleased with their end results. We try to keep it amicable and civil between the parties."
At Smart Choice Law we aim to resolve legal disputes as quickly and cost efficiently as possible so that our clients do not end up with enormous legal costs.
Kerstin loves the lifestyle at the Coffs Coast and believes that this is a great place to live and raise her two children. Kerstin is a member of the NSW Law Society, the Clarence Valley and Coffs Harbour Regional Law Society (where she currently is the co- vice- president), the Family Law Practitioner Association in Coffs Harbour and the Law Council of Australia.
ruby Poynter
Solicitor
Ruby is a lawyer with a Bachelor of Law and Bachelor of Arts degree from Macquarie University, and with experience across a wide range of Family Law, Wills and Estate matters.
Ruby has experience across a range of complex family law matters involving domestic violence, property proceedings, migration issues, lottery winnings, wastage and taxation fraud.
Ruby is passionate about the affordability of legal services and ensuring that clients maintain a sense of agency in their own matters. With an interest in dispute resolution, Ruby takes the stress out of her matters by employing a client and child-centered approach.
Growing up in Grafton, Ruby has an inherent understanding of the local community and the potential challenges facing her clients.
In her spare time, Ruby enjoys long-distance running, reading by the beach or doing cross-stitch embroidery.
Ruby has experience across a range of complex family law matters involving domestic violence, property proceedings, migration issues, lottery winnings, wastage and taxation fraud.
Ruby is passionate about the affordability of legal services and ensuring that clients maintain a sense of agency in their own matters. With an interest in dispute resolution, Ruby takes the stress out of her matters by employing a client and child-centered approach.
Growing up in Grafton, Ruby has an inherent understanding of the local community and the potential challenges facing her clients.
In her spare time, Ruby enjoys long-distance running, reading by the beach or doing cross-stitch embroidery.
simone
Legal assistant
Simone is our legal assistant and very dedicated to providing great customer service. She is a highly experienced customer service representative with a strong customer focus.
Prior to joining our team, she worked as a customer service officer in the finance industry for many years. She has a keen eye for detail, as well as a great understanding of everything banking.
Simone loves the lifestyle at the Coffs Coast for herself and her family. She also has a strong interest and holds a diploma in Reflexology and Nutritional Therapy. When she is not at work she enjoys cooking and baking.
Liana
Legal assistant
Liana is our legal assistant and also has a lot of experience in customer service. She is always smiling and helps cheering our clients up, when they walk into our office.
Prior to joining our team, she worked in various roles in customer service, marketing and other industries, which give her a wide knowledge and undertanding of systems and technology.
Liana also loves the lifestyle at the Coffs Coast for herself and her family. She enjoys gardening and the great beaches Coffs Harbour has to offer.
smart choice law
Smart Choice Law brings a fresh new approach to Family Law to the Coffs Coast. Our firm was featured in the Coffs Coast Advocate. Please check out these articles if you want to find out more about us:The Coffs Coast Advocate:https://www.coffscoastadvocate.com.au/news/fresh-new-approach-to-family-law-woes/3511975/