In the latest episode of my new podcast called The Heir Waves, Caite Brewer and I discussed some more interesting cases in succession law. Have a listen below: Embracing the Early Inheritance in family provision In this episode, Caite & Michele discuss: With increasing levels of inter-generational wealth transfer happening, this is an episode (and…
Super Settled: High Court confirmation that Reg 6.17A SIS don’t apply to SMSFs
The long embattled question of whether Regulation 6.17A of the Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Regulations 1994 (Cth) (“SISR”) applies to SMSFs has finally been answered. For those playing at home, Reg 6.17A of the SISR sets out the standards of which regulated super funds are to pay a member’s superannuation benefits out when they pass away….
Cut of the Cattle: FPA dismissed after lengthy estrangement between rural family
Whilst this case is a little older than my usual case updates, it is by no means less interesting and, in my humble opinion, important when it comes to considering decisions in family provision matters involving disentitling conduct and estrangement. In the case of Dawson v Joyner [2011] QSC 385, the deceased was survived by…
100 posts and over 10 years!
Well, goodness gracious me. It appears I have hit 100 posts! Can you believe that?! It’s a little bit of happenstance that I am getting my blogging mojo back as I happen to hit the big one oh oh. I am truly grateful for those who have stopped by here and provided so much encouragement…
The Rise & Fall of the Gift & Loan Back: Re Permewan – on The Heir Waves
In the latest episode of my new podcast called The Heir Waves, Caite Brewer and I discussed some more interesting cases in succession law. Have a listen below: The Rise & Fall of the Gift & Loan Back: Re Permewan In this episode, Caite & Michele discuss: Have a question or want to submit a…
Addiction & Conduct: FPA applicant receives legacy following tumultuous childhood (QLD)
I regularly research for my PhD and, lets be honest, for nerdy interest, for cases involving disentitling conduct. I recently spoke about this case on The Heir Waves podcast (Episode 1, to be exact) about the decisions of Hartley. I wanted to also post about it here for some further detail as I think the…
Super Scott: Superannuation with special guest Scott Hay-Bartlem – on The Heir Waves
In the latest episode of my new podcast called The Heir Waves, Caite Brewer and I discussed some more interesting cases in succession law. Have a listen below: Super Scott: Superannuation with special guest Scott Hay-Bartlem In this episode, Caite & Michele: are joined with special guest, Scott Hay-Bartlem, Partner and Superannuation guru at Cooper Grace Ward…
Be Wary to Vary and Exercise Discretion: Re Owies Family Trust – on The Heir Waves
In the latest episode of my new podcast called The Heir Waves, Caite Brewer and I discussed some more interesting cases in succession law. Have a listen below: Be Wary to Vary and Exercise Discretion: Re Owies Family Trust In this episode, Caite & Michele discuss: The family trust case of Re Owies Family Trust [2020] VSC…
Re Marsella and genuine and real consideration – on The Heir Waves
In the latest episode of my new podcast called The Heir Waves, Caite Brewer and I discussed some more interesting cases in succession law. Have a listen below: Freedom of Discretion: Re Marsella and ”real and genuine” consideration In this episode, Caite & Michele discuss: Follow up question from ‘Episode 1: To Love and To…
Mutual wills & disentitling conduct – on The Heir Waves
In the latest episode of my new podcast called The Heir Waves, Caite Brewer and I discussed some interesting cases, including one that involved mutual wills and another involving, my favourite topic, disentitling conduct. Have a listen below: Title: To love and to loathe: mutual wills and disentitling conduct In this episode, Caite & Michele…
Bringing the nerd to The Heir Waves
I cannot begin a post without acknowledging my absence and offering my apologies for depriving you of the nerdiness of recent case developments. If it’s any consolation, I have a healthy list of cases that I have every intention of writing up about. However, I will also say in my defence that I have been…
“Estrangement explained”: FPA provision ordered following years of family disharmony
The case of McLeod v Napthali [2021] NSWSC 1621 really struck me as I read this brief judgement today. Great thanks and shout out to buddy Clifford Hughes for sharing this one with me (he understands my great love of all things estrangement and disentitling conduct in FPAs!). This is great humanity demonstrated by His…
Left out of Struggle Street; Right onto Found Freeway
A little update from me. I hope everyone is fairing as well as can be in the pandemic and everything that it has touched over these past 2 years. I wanted to write a slightly different blog post today. The first thing I want to do is apologise to anyone who frequents my blog for…
Executors behaving badly: Successful removal and IA appointed (QLD)
Getting an executor removed for undesirable behaviour can be quite the challenge in practice. Many elements are part of the equation including the conduct of the parties, the nature of the estate, the steps required to be taken to finalise the estate and the cost of appointing someone separately to administer the estate. Normally, the…
This is one Happy [succession nerd] Lawyer here!
I am so proud to share with you all that this little introverted succession nerd was asked to be interviewed by the amazing Clarissa Rayward, the Happy Family Lawyer, Creator, Author and Podcaster at Happy Lawyer Happy Life. Clarissa has been celebrating lawyers of all varieties, specialties and backgrounds for 4 years now, including even…
Audio-Visually signed COVID Will admitted to Probate via s18 Application (QLD)
I must start this post with an absolutely huge thank you for the patience of my delightful blog followers. I have been a little distracted of late, but I promise, I will never forget this beloved blog of mine. I have a few cases to write about that I’m sure you will all enjoy, starting…
Leave ’em a loan: Liability to pay mortgage left with joint tenant
The liability of a mortgage is probably one of the most significant liabilities a couple will share. Whilst many times it’s a fairly equal distribution of that liability when everything is held jointly, it’s not always the case in circumstances of second/later relationships or a singular income earner and home maker. The recent decision of…
New Power of Attorney & Advance Health Directive forms released (QLD)
The wait is now officially over with the new Queensland Powers of Attorney and Advamce Health Directive documents now being released. E documents are approved for use from 30 November 2020. These documents coincide with the legislative changes I wrote about regarding attorneys and guardians last year. This is the first update to these well…
Elder Abuse = Disentitling Conduct: FPA by adult daughter dismissed with costs
It is no surprise to any of my colleagues in the succession world that this topic is of great interest to me. So, you can imagine my interest when I found this case. A few days ago, the New South Wales Supreme Court determined a matter that involved a family provision claim by an adult…
Changes to decisionmaker laws to commence soon (QLD)
You might recall that last year I wrote a post on new changes to laws for attorneys and administrators following the passing of the Guardianship and Administration and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2019. With the craziness that we now call COVID-19, the implementation of these changes that was scheduled for 30 March 2020 was postponed…