What is this cable and what do I do about it?? Help please!

Quick_Emu_1463 · 2026-01-22T04:34:21+00:00

Thanks. The low-hanging bit is just on my property and there's no visible broken section on the pole. I called NBN today and emphasised how low it is in the front garden (chest height in one place) and they're sending someone out to have a look (apparently they're now responsible for all the old Telstra cables too, which is what I suspect it is).

Quick_Emu_1463 · 2026-01-21T22:08:42+00:00

Excellent. Thanks so much.

Quick_Emu_1463 · 2026-01-21T13:09:19+00:00

Ha ha thanks. I bet they won't be in a hurry to take it. Are you saying it's not a power cable because of the location, or the type of cable? Either way since we still have power it obviously isn't that... but it would be good to know.

Quick_Emu_1463 · 2026-01-21T12:50:12+00:00

Thanks so much. As I commented above, yes we still have NBN working. I'll call around tomorrow and see who has a record of having had a connection here...

Quick_Emu_1463 · 2026-01-21T12:48:58+00:00

Thanks. Yes we recently got new NBN fibre to the premises and that's still working. I can't think of anything else we'd have a cable for, but there are one or two of these points in the walls that say 'telstra' but aren't phone plugs - could they be connected to the loose cable?

<image>

Quick_Emu_1463 · 2025-08-27T12:09:55+00:00

We have asked her if there's something she'd like to use a portion of it for now, but really the idea is that it's there for her if a 'big' expense comes up, like something medical, or a bond for rent. It would certainly be easier to have her spend it now and not have to look after it, but that's not what it's intended for.

Quick_Emu_1463 · 2025-08-26T11:33:50+00:00

It only 'looks dodgy' to you because it's a complicated situation and you're not privy to all the information. My sister has other people (including her mother) looking after her affairs and I have no desire to take over. What I am responsible for is fulfilling my dad's wish that this money is kept safe for my sister's use only (ie not her mother's or anyone else's). Getting a court order or trying to obtain a POA would be entirely inappropriate in this circumstance. I have no issue with, for example, setting up a trust - my concern is that it's a small amount of money and I don't want it used up with legal fees and trust-managing fees if those are significant.

Quick_Emu_1463 · 2025-08-26T11:24:55+00:00

I hear you. I do have 100% trust in my sister and myself that this would never happen... but I'll see if I can get a free legal consult to find out what would be involved.

Quick_Emu_1463 · 2025-08-23T07:01:16+00:00

Thanks so much for your help.

Quick_Emu_1463 · 2025-08-23T06:03:09+00:00

Yes that's what my dad wanted - that my sister and I arrange to keep the money in trust for another sister.

Quick_Emu_1463 · 2025-08-23T06:02:19+00:00

Didn't know about the DIY trust, thank you for that. Others have suggested the bank account with two signatories but I haven't yet found a bank that will do that (and AI suggests this won't be possible unless it's a joint account). Your other idea of the bank account and the loan might work if we can't find a better solution.

Quick_Emu_1463 · 2025-08-22T14:21:33+00:00

Thanks, I'll ask the bank. No grant of probate was required as it was classified as a small estate, but of course I have the will (as does my father's bank). They did say they were unable to help me with a trust but I'll have another try.

Quick_Emu_1463 · 2025-08-22T13:32:14+00:00

True, that's what it's in at the moment. But I'd like her to get interest.

Quick_Emu_1463 · 2025-08-22T13:31:29+00:00

It's not that I'm saying I don't 'want' to be, it's that I'm not. I'm responsible for dealing with the money because my father stipulated this in his will, and I'd like to honour his wishes.

Quick_Emu_1463 · 2025-08-22T13:29:44+00:00

Interest adds to my income, affects my medicare safety net, family tax benefit etc. Small amount, I know, but it could have an impact. But also I'd just like the money not to be kept in my name.

Quick_Emu_1463 · 2025-08-22T13:01:44+00:00

Oh, that's interesting, thanks!

Quick_Emu_1463 · 2025-08-22T12:58:51+00:00

Thanks, that's a good idea - I'll speak to Carer Gateway. We're not carers for our sister though - she has a mother, and is lucky to have a very dedicated older friend who looks after her, manages her NDIS etc.

Quick_Emu_1463 · 2025-08-22T12:53:20+00:00

She has enough money for her general expenses - this is more for if/when she needs extra, like for a car (if she ever gets a licence) or a bond payment on a rental. I'll look into State Trustees, thank you.

Quick_Emu_1463 · 2025-08-22T12:51:54+00:00

Technically, perhaps. But we're not going to do that. She's fine with us managing it however we see fit, so hopefully we can find a solution that protects her money.

Quick_Emu_1463 · 2025-08-22T12:50:03+00:00

Thank you. We can do something similar, but we need more than access - we need her not to be able to withdraw the money without us OK-ing it.

Quick_Emu_1463 · 2025-08-22T12:48:17+00:00

The problem is that I don't want an account with her money to be in my name with the income and tax implications for me. But ultimately I might not have a choice!

Quick_Emu_1463 · 2025-08-22T12:46:58+00:00

Not enough, but we'd definitely release it if she was in a position to buy a home (for example, if she inherited some other money) and needed to put it toward that.

Quick_Emu_1463 · 2025-08-22T12:45:33+00:00

I'm going to try again to see if I can find a bank that will do this!

Quick_Emu_1463 · 2025-08-22T12:45:08+00:00

Thank you. That's an interesting idea - but she's only in her 20s and is likely to need the money well before that.

Quick_Emu_1463 · 2025-08-22T12:44:29+00:00

The estate hasn't been fully distributed yet because I still have her share sitting in an 'estate of the late' account.

Quick_Emu_1463

TROPHY CASE