Can a wife contest a Will?

Can a wife contest a Will? “My husband died 6 months ago and left $150,000 to one of my sons and to the other, our holiday home. I feel that this is a little unfair given that the price of the house is worth approximately $400,000 – $500,000. As his widow am I able to […]

Contesting a Will (Costs and Process)

How much does it cost to contest a Will in court and what is the process? There are a number of legal grounds available to Contest a Will. The Court process and costs will vary depending on which legal ground is used. What is a family provision claim? A Family Provision Claim is a claim […]

Death Duties In Australia (Explained)

black calculator beside black pen on white printer paper

Do death duties apply in Australia? Inheritance Tax, commonly referred to as “death duties”, has not applied in Australia since 1981. Despite abolishing Inheritance Tax, there are still a number of taxes, that may impact on you if you receive an inheritance from a deceased Estate. These include capital gains tax, superannuation and stamp duty. […]

The executors fiduciary duty (explained)

What is a fiduciary relationship? A Fiduciary relationship explains the relationship of confidence that exists between certain people such as a lawyer and client, or the Executor of a deceased Estate and the beneficiaries of that Estate. Does an Executor of a Will have a fiduciary relationship? A Fiduciary, such as an Executor of a […]

What Is Estate Planning and Why It Is Important

woman signing on white printer paper beside woman about to touch the documents

What Is Estate Planning and Why It Is Important Estate planning is the process of working out the best way to structure your personal and financial affairs while you are alive so that you are looked after during your lifetime. It’s also the process of ensuring your personal possessions and financial assets are distributed the […]

What is the difference between discretionary and testamentary trusts?

What is the difference between discretionary and testamentary trusts? In Australia, a discretionary trust and a testamentary trust are two different types of trusts with distinct characteristics. A discretionary trust is a trust where the trustee has the discretion to determine how income and/or capital of the trust is distributed to the beneficiaries. The trustee […]

Case Study: Same Sex Couples and Estate Litigation

NSW Supreme Court

Calokerinos, Executor of the Estate of the late George Sclavos v Yasilhat; Yesilhat v Calokerinos, Executor of the Estate of the late George Scalvos [2017] NSWSC 666 Same sex couples actually have the same rights as heterosexual couples when it comes to Estate Litigation. This is because of the definition of “eligible persons” under the Succession […]

What is a probate caveat?

What is a probate caveat? A probate caveat allows you to stop the executor from distributing the assets of an estate. The executor will need to prove to the court that the Will is the last valid Will of the deceased. When a person dies their Will needs to be filed with the Court so […]