Succession Nerd | Wifey | Mummy | Wills, Estates & Elder Lawyer
For a while now, it's been a hazy question asked by succession lawyers alike about whether an attorney can make or renew a binding death benefit nomination for their principal's superannuation policy proceeds. On 24 August 2018, Justice Bowskill of the Supreme Court of Queensland delivered a decision on this very topic. The case of … Continue reading Renewable Power: Court permits Attorney to renew superannuation nomination (QLD)
It appears to be raining estate and trust law cases from the High Court of Australia over the last two weeks. Yesterday, the High Court of Australia ordered a new trial be held in relation to solemn form probate proceedings in Nobarani v Mariconte [2018] HCA 36 on the basis that the appellant as denied … Continue reading Missing element: High Court orders new trial in solemn form probate proceedings; denial of procedural fairness
As I begin this post, I acknowledge wholeheartedly that this topic might surprise my collection of followers. While, yes, it is indeed a case review, it is focused on a different arm of succession law practice: trusts generally and *cough*taxation of trusts*cough*. As I witness the evolution of estate law before my eyes, I can't … Continue reading Sorry, Frank, it’s over: High Court clarifies position on streaming franking credits to trust beneficiaries
It is a suggestion that arises throughout many estate disputes that the claim of a widow on an estate should be paramount to those of other family member who survive the deceased person. However, as each case is determined on it's merits, this is not always the case. Yesterday, the Supreme Court of New South Wales … Continue reading Wife support: FPA by widow dismissed with costs (NSW)
Last week, the Supreme Court of New South Wales published a judgement in a estate matter where the question of whether a Will was "made in contemplation of marriage" was a central focus of their attention. In the case of Re Estate Grant, deceased [2018] NSWSC 1031, the deceased made a Will dated on about … Continue reading What is “Contemplation of marriage”: Marriage revokes Will in blended family (NSW)
In an unusual case published a few weeks ago, the Western Australian Court of Appeal allowed an extension of time for an adult son to bring a claim against his late father's estate 7 years after the time limit expired. The claim was dismissed at first instance and the adult son appealed asserting 9 different … Continue reading FPA 7 years out of time: Allowed on Appeal (WA)
Earlier this year, I was surprised to read a judgement where a former spouse successfully claimed for further provision from her former husband's estate notwithstanding the pair had completed a property settlement 25 years prior. You can read my earlier post here. It may come as no surprise that the matter was appealed to the … Continue reading “Divorced from reality”: Appeal allowed in former spouse FPA claim (NSW)
