HARTLEY, LETHE & CROWE
Matters of an unusual nature, handled with discretion since 1862.
MAKE AN ENQUIRYTHE FIRM
Hartley, Lethe & Crowe has served the colony and the state of Victoria for over a century and a half. We act for individuals, families and estates whose affairs fall outside the ordinary course of legal practice.
Our clients are those whom conventional firms decline: the inheritors of strange property, the custodians of difficult objects, and the occasional person who simply noticed something they were not supposed to.
We are not in the business of alarming anyone. We are in the business of keeping things in order, particularly the things that would rather not be.
AREAS OF PRACTICE
Estates of the Unexplained
Probate and administration where the deceased left instructions, objects or obligations that do not appear in any standard schedule.
Custodial Instruments
Trusts, bequests and long-term guardianship arrangements, some of which have been running for generations.
Chattels of Interest
Title, provenance and safe keeping of objects with a documented history of unfortunate owners.
Property & Tenancy
Disputes concerning premises with persistent occupants, unexplained draughts or doors that will not stay closed.
Discreet Inquiries
Confidential research on behalf of clients who prefer not to be named in the process.
Conflicting Interests
Where more than one party claims a stake in the same matter and not all of them mean well.
MATTERS ARCHIVE
Existing clients may retrieve case documents using the reference number on their correspondence.
ENQUIRIES
The firm will respond within a reasonable period. Some matters take longer than others.