Guarantor for a loan
A lender asks you to guarantee a family member’s, friend’s or company’s loan, often with your own home as security.
Independent Legal Advice · Auzworld Lawyers
Independent legal advice, online or in Westmead.
Lenders, trustees and family agreements often require you to take advice from a solicitor who acts only for you. We explain what you are signing, answer your questions, and complete the certificate the other side asks for.
- A fixed fee of $385 including GST
- Secure online identity check (VOI) at $33 per person, GST included
- Meet by Zoom from anywhere, or in person at our Westmead office
- Your booking link arrives by email as soon as you send the form
4.9 from 218 Google ratings
NSW solicitorsOnline by ZoomWestmead, Sydney
When you need independent legal advice
If someone asks you to sign a document that could cost you money, property or rights, you may be asked to confirm that you have had your own, independent advice first.
Buying property through a trust or company
The buyer or borrower is a family trust, unit trust or company, and the lender or the trust arrangements require trustees, directors or guarantors to be advised.
Family loan, gift or co-borrower
Parents or relatives are lending or giving you money for a home, or you are going on a loan with someone as a co-borrower.
Mortgage and security documents
A lender wants a solicitor’s certificate that you understand the mortgage, guarantee and security documents you are signing.
Binding financial agreements
Before or during a marriage or de facto relationship, or after separation: the Family Law Act requires each person to receive their own independent legal advice on a binding financial agreement.
Directors and business owners
You are personally guaranteeing a company’s loan, lease or supplier credit and want to understand the risk before you sign.
Deeds, settlements and family agreements
You are giving up rights or property, for example in a deed of gift, a release or a settlement deed, and the other party wants proof you were advised.
Not sure?
Tell us what you have been asked to sign. If we cannot advise on it, we will say so before you pay.
An important point: independent means independent. The lender, the borrower and the person asking you to sign cannot give you this advice, and the borrower should not attend your appointment. Our solicitor acts only for you.
How it works
Four simple steps, mostly online.
Send the short form
Tell us what you have been asked to sign. It takes about three minutes.
Get your booking email
We email you straight away with a link to choose your time, the fees and a list of what to bring.
Verify your identity
Show photo ID, or complete our secure online verification of identity (VOI) on your phone.
Meet your solicitor
By Zoom, or at Westmead. You receive advice in plain English and the certificate your lender or other party needs.
Documents are signed with the solicitor present on video, so your identity is checked and the advice is recorded properly. A certificate is issued for digitally signed documents.
Clear fixed fees
You know the cost before you book. Both prices include GST.
Independent Legal Advice
$385 including GST
One appointment with a NSW solicitor, online by Zoom or in person at our Westmead office.
- We review your documents before the meeting
- Plain-English advice, and time for your questions
- Certificate of advice where your lender or the other party requires one
Online identity check (VOI)
$33 per person, including GST
A secure check on your phone that confirms who you are, so you do not need to visit an office.
- Each person who signs completes their own VOI
- Prefer to bring original photo ID in person? Just tell us
If a second person, such as your spouse, also needs advice, tell us on the form and we will confirm the arrangements and fees when you book.
What to bring or send
Your booking email lists exactly what to prepare for your situation. In general:
- Photo ID for each person receiving advice, or the online VOI.
- The documents you have been asked to sign: the full set, not a summary (loan, guarantee, mortgage, deed or agreement).
- The lender’s letter of offer and any certificate form the lender wants the solicitor to sign.
- Trust or company details if the purchase or loan is through a trust or company: the trust deed or a company extract.
Good to know
- We act only for you. The borrower should not join your appointment.
- Send your documents ahead of the meeting so the solicitor can read them first.
- If the documents change after your advice, tell us: you may need advice again before you sign.
- Please do not send card, bank or password details by form or email.
What clients say about Auzworld
Real Google reviews of our firm.
4.9 from 218 Google ratings
★★★★★
“Excellent service and very supportive team. They were professional, responsive, and guided me clearly at every step.”
Lumana ShresthaGoogle review★★★★★
“The Auzworld team has always guided me accurately and been there whenever I had any queries. What matters is getting the right advice in a timely manner, and Auzworld does that efficiently.”
ABGoogle review★★★★★
“The team was professional, friendly, responsive and knowledgeable, and made the whole process smooth and stress-free.”
preet rupalGoogle reviewReviews are from Google and relate to Auzworld’s services generally. Every matter is different: past results do not guarantee any particular outcome.
Start your independent legal advice
What happens next
- You send this form.
- You receive an email with the fees, what to bring and a link to book your Zoom appointment.
- You verify your identity and meet your solicitor.
Prefer to talk first?
Call (02) 9635 4744
Monday to Friday, 10:00 am to 6:00 pm (Sydney time).
You can also meet us in person at our Westmead office.
Common questions
Why does my lender want me to have independent legal advice?
When you guarantee someone else’s loan, or sign documents that put your property at risk, a lender wants to be able to show that you understood what you were signing. A solicitor’s certificate is that evidence. It also protects you, because it makes sure someone on your side has explained the risks.
Do I need advice if I am buying through a trust?
Often, yes. Lenders commonly require trustees, directors and guarantors to receive advice when a trust or company is the borrower, and the people involved may be personally liable. Send us the form and tell us who is signing and what the lender has asked for.
Will you act for the borrower as well?
No. Independent advice has to be independent, so we advise only you. The borrower, or the person asking you to sign, should not attend your appointment.
Can the advice be given online?
Yes. Most appointments are by Zoom. We verify your identity with a secure online VOI or by checking your original photo ID on video. You can also meet us in person at our Westmead office.
How long does it take?
Once you have booked and sent your documents, the appointment itself is usually short. Book as early as you can if you have a signing or settlement date, because the solicitor needs time to read your documents first.
What does the $385 include?
The independent legal advice appointment, including the solicitor’s review of your documents and the certificate your lender or other party requires. The online identity check is $33 per person. Both prices include GST.
What if the documents change after my advice?
Tell us. If the loan or security documents change, or the lender adds new ones, you may need further advice before you sign.
Is this page legal advice?
No. It is general information only. Your advice is given to you personally, after the solicitor has read your documents.
Visit or contact us
Westmead office
Suite 37, Level 1, Daher Centre
163-171 Hawkesbury Road
Westmead NSW 2145
Opening hours
Monday to Friday
10:00 am to 6:00 pm
Zoom appointments can also be booked outside office hours, when times are available.