Lately I’ve been reflecting on how quickly technology has woven itself into the client journey — and what that means for the deeply human work at the heart of succession law.
A recent UNSW Law Journal article on Therapeutic Jurisprudence and virtue ethics reminded me that wellbeing, presence and character still matter just as much as efficiency. Tech can support us, but it can’t replace the pauses, stories and emotions that help us ask the right questions and build trust.
Boundaries in the legal profession are strange things. We talk about them often, yet they’re rarely taught, and even more rarely practiced with intention. Most of us learn them the hard way—through exhaustion, resentment, or that slow internal drift where the work begins to swallow entire pieces of your life. And, then, of course, burnout….
Legal practice is so often framed around competence, precision, and technical mastery—but anyone who has actually lived this work knows that the emotional terrain is just as demanding. The emails that land too late, the conversations that turn sharper than expected, the weight of other people’s crises sitting in your inbox. Ooh golly, that can…
In this episode, Caite & Michele talk through a not-so-common but ever-so-interesting element of succession law; leave to swear death and declarations of death. In this chat, we talk about: You can (and should!) read the full cases. Have a question or want to submit a case for discussion, send Caite & Michele an email…
In this episode, Caite & Michele delve into the world of removing executors from administering an estate! Michele shares with us two cases that demonstrate removal situations, but in different circumstances. In this chat, we talk about: You can (and should!) read the full cases. Have a question or want to submit a case for…
Ever wonder why some things just stick, and others don’t? Why some days it’s harder to grasp a concept, or just work a problem? No. Geez, you’re lucky! I certainly have. In the course of my studies, I was lead to this concept of cognitive load theory. The basic premise is that it’s a theory about…
Who else suffers from information overload, just to have all that information go in one ear and out the other; despite the fact that you think it’s really important to remember and pooooof it’s gone? I am forever trying to secure, store and manage all the information I gather in daily life, let alone research for the…
In this episode, Caite & Michele are joined by Brisbane Barrister, Dr Pip Coore, to talk through the relatively new provisions in the Powers of Attorney Act 1998 (Qld) (‘The Act’) that deal with the effect of a beneficiary’s interest in a Will where the property dealt with by the attorney. Caite & Pip lead…
The importance of changes in one’s circumstances and the need to update estate planning documents is no clearer than when you read a case such as this one.
In a recent case of Selig v Selig [2024] QSC 189, the Court determined an application by the children of a deceased parent who had left a formal Will, but also documents entitled “My Wishes” and a “Nomination of Beneficiaries Form” that formed the basis of the children’s claim as an informal Will.
With the best of intentions, charitable giving in a Will can sometimes present challenges. In the case of Perpetual Trustee Company v The Corporation of the Synod of Diocese of Brisbane [2024] QSC 163, the Court was required to give guidance on how to interpret a charitable gift in the present day circumstances presented.
In this episode, Caite & Michele delve into the world of limited and special Grants that may be required to administer an estate, along with some example cases!
In this episode, Caite & Michele work through two cases that involve (at least to some extent) some allegations of disentitling conduct. But, beware. Not is all as it seems.
In an earlier post, I wrote about the decision of Lambourne v Marrable and, naturally, it was a particularly interesting case to discuss further in a recent episode of The Heir Waves podcast. So, here it is! In this episode, Caite & Michele are joined by a special guest, Dr Pip Coore of Hemmant’s List, and discuss…
In the recent judgement of Savage v Savage [2023] QSC 280 handed down yesterday, the Court was sought to interpret the gift-over provision in a Will of a murdered father. By way of background, the deceased died on 17 July 2000, having been murdered by his daughter, who was later convicted of that crime. The…
Following on from my earlier posts on powers of attorneys, it seems a little poetic, shall we say, that a further case involving attorneys became known to me! Big thanks to my friend and co-host of The Heir Waves podcast Caite Brewer who brought this case to my attention. The case of Lambourne and Ors…
In this episode, Michele (with a side of Caite!) guides us through: Have a question or want to submit a case for discussion, send Caite & Michele an email at hello@theheirwaves.com. Don’t forget to subscribe for all the latest episodes! See you next time on The Heir Waves. ** IMPORTANT NOTICE ** The information provided in…
In a recent Queensland case, the topic of attorney’s handling a principal’s superannuation matters was, again, front and center. In Re Rentis Pty Ltd [2023] QSC 252, the Court was asked to determine whether a nomination by a duly appointed attorney of an incapacitated principal was valid. You may recall my earlier post on the…
In this episode, Caite (with a side of Michele!) guides us through: Have a question or want to submit a case for discussion, send Caite & Michele an email at hello@theheirwaves.com. Don’t forget to subscribe for all the latest episodes! See you next time on The Heir Waves. ** IMPORTANT NOTICE **The information provided in this…
In the latest episode on The Heir Waves, Caite & Michele are joined by the amazing Leila Chalk, Managing Director of Forty Four Degrees Legal and guides us through: For those interested in getting in touch with Leila and talking more about this incredibly valuable topic, you can find Leila here: www.fortyfourdegrees.com.au Have a question or want to submit a case for…
The topic of statutory declarations being used in estate planning has been ongoing and [almost fiercely!] debated among succession lawyers. Litigators and planners both love them, but for very, very different reasons. In fact, it was a topic of conversation between Caite and I on The Heir Waves podcast here. In the case of Hartley…
