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…
Tag: family provision
What is “Contemplation of marriage”: Marriage revokes Will in blended family (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…
Excluded child’s claim dismissed: 40 years of estrangement after bitter divorce (NSW)
In case it’s not already evident to my readers, I have a particular interest in family provision cases that touch on disentitling conduct or estrangement. So, it’s no surprise this recent case in the Supreme Court of NSW caught my eye yesterday where a family provision application by an adult child, who was excluded from…
“Child Support”: Effect on earning capacity and meaning of “Support” in an FPA (Qld)
Imagine if you had a child with your partner and the relationship failed, resulting in your separation and shared parenting relationship. Then, your former partner passes away. How much did you depend on your former partner for support or help? “Support” or “help” can be pretty subjective words when it’s this kind of scenario. You…
Important Amendments to Qld Succession Laws: a sign of the times
We live in a different age. We live in a world where blended families are a common fixture within our communities. I, personally, know many beautiful blended families and I’m sure many of my readers do also. In fact, I’m sure there are some of my readers that may know blended families that are closer…
Child of de facto spouse = Step-child in FPA; Decision upheld on Appeal (VIC)
In September last year, I wrote of case in Victoria where a child of the de facto partner of a deceased person made a claim on the estate by claiming they were a “step-child” within the meaning of the legislation. For background, you can read that article here. Yesterday, the Victorian Court of Appeal published…
Burden of secrets: Claim for secret trust within an FPA by grandchild (NSW)
Within a family dynamic, particularly as the elderly age and consider their demise, it’s common to hear of conversations being held between family members of “understandings” and benefits that may flow the next generation on the death of the elder. Promises made and, sometimes, others rely on those alleged promises. So what happens where there’s a secret of a…
