While no person expects, nor wishes, to experience a lack of capacity, the very real fact of life is that they may. Incapacity can be long term or short term and can impact everyone quite differently. The question of someone’s capacity to understand the nature and the effect of something is fraught with difficulty mainly…
Category: Queensland
Catch and Release: Court considers when s33Z applies to a ‘purported’ Will (Qld)
Recently, the case of Saltmer v Rennick Lawyers Pty Ltd [2018] QSC 307 was heard in the Supreme Court of Queensland in Townsville where the Court was called upon to question of costs in a situation where a deceased person’s family member requested a copy of a document held by a Solicitor that the family…
Renewable Power: Court permits Attorney to renew superannuation nomination (QLD)
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…
The Unsent Text Message Will: Is it really that simple? No – it’s really not! (QLD)
It’s likely been in your news feed recently that an unsent text message was held by a Queensland Court to be a valid Will. It may seem quite unbelievable to some that this would even happen! On the other hand, maybe it doesn’t? Reviewing the comments that appear in many of the media articles online…
No Will, no way?: Court refuses application for statutory Will in large estate (Qld)
Admittedly, it’s not something that one regularly thinks about, but the issue of incapacitated people making Wills is a topic that achieves much discussion nowadays. Where a person doesn’t have a Will, whether by choice or otherwise, the law provides what I like to call a “back-up plan” or formula, if you will, of how…
“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…
A Shared Life: Family provision claim by same-sex defacto of 30 years
For those of my readers who are not familiar with estate litigation matters, it is common for parties to apply to the Court to “sign-off” on negotiated outcomes following a private mediation. This is particularly so where the estate property is comprised of real property. As such, I thought it worthwhile to write a short note on the latest case of Roberts…
Competing Relationships: Needs of De Facto vs Adult Children
Relationships and tragedy are a complex maze of emotions. In the very sad case of Gore v Rouse [2017] QDC 98, Mr Gore was tragically killed in a tree lopping incident at the home of his de facto partner, Mrs Rouse. Mr Gore was 63 years old. Mr Gore was survived by three adult children, Tracey (from his first marriage),…
Worldy Wisdom: Why a pro forma will still ends up in Court
I’m always curious as to any judgement dealing with will kits or proforma wills. I have every suspicion we will see more of these as the years go on. Recently the Court had to determine what a testator meant in the matter of Rhodes v Rhodes (as Executor of the Estate of Cecil Ronald Rhodes) & Ors…
Timing is everything: FPA out of time by 10 days allowed on appeal
For those of you who aren’t aware, last year saw the Supreme Court dismiss a family provision application that was filed only 10 days past the limitation date in the matter of Mortimer v Lusink & Ors [2016] QSC 119. As you probably would appreciate, this was met with quite a lot of interest in my world. I’m sure…
Lost time is never found again: FPA 63 days out of time dismissed
Lost time is never found again – Benjamin Franklin. Another example of how important deadlines are in a family provision application (FPA), the Queensland Supreme Court was called to determine an application for leave to proceed with an FPA out of time. The case of Frastika v Cosgrove as executor of the estate of Russell…
“There is no one alive who is you-er than you!” – Imposter Testator and the Supreme Court
“There is no one alive who is you-er than you!” – Dr Seuss In an odd case, Chief Justice Catherine Holmes was called upon to determine an application of probate in solemn form with a side order of an imposter claim. In the case Martin Terrence Farrell v Warren Elbridge Boston [2016] QSC 278, the Applicant, Martin…
Order for disclosure sought against executors of estate
Not your average case, but I nonetheless found the case of Helg v Sergiacomi & Another [2014] QSC 50 an interesting read. Both parties were self-represented and the claim and assertions somewhat unclear. Ultimately, the applicant sought disclosure of documents relating the deceased’s estate of transactions during the deceased’s lifetime including a Trust Deed and mortgage documentation. …
Holy guacamole, Batman – a $3mil family provision award
Thanks to Caite Brewer, Queensland Barrister, for bringing this case to my attention via her blog – you can find her blog here. There were multiple claimants, and most settled out of court, but an amount of $3 million was awarded to an adult child of the deceased. Read the case of Darveniza v Darveniza…
Review of the Trusts Act 1973 (Qld)
The review has been conducted, and the report published. Read it here.