Australia: Wills/ Intestacy/ Estate Planning

The Supreme Court of Victoria ruled that parties were bound by a settlement deed sent unsigned by the defendants' solicitor and subsequently executed by the plaintiffs’ solicitor, even though the defendants ultimately refused to sign.

It can be easy to forgo the legalities and formalities of planning for life after you’re gone – after all, you won’t be here for it. Yet in the interest of ensuring any inheritance makes its way to your loved ones as you intend it to, your will must be legally sound

Contesting a will involves navigating complex legal procedures, from obtaining estate information and establishing eligibility to gathering evidence and potentially filing court applications. Understanding the step-by-step process, including negotiation options and court determinations, can help eligible persons assess whether they have grounds to challenge inadequate provision in a deceased's estate.

When the standard child support formula doesn't reflect your family's reality, a change of assessment application can help. This comprehensive guide explores all 10 grounds for requesting a child support adjustment in Australia, from high care costs and travel expenses to income minimisation and special needs, explaining when each applies and what evidence you'll need to succeed.

This matter involved a workplace accident in which the plaintiff sustained severe injuries when a tractor fell on him while he was performing repairs to a tractor on a sugar cane farm.

Partners Scott Hay-Bartlem and Clinton Jackson break down the critical tax distinctions between superannuation benefits paid during a member's lifetime versus death benefits distributed after passing. They explore timing considerations, beneficiary designation rules, and strategic estate planning approaches to optimize tax outcomes and ensure effective management of superannuation death benefits.

Guidance for executors & clarifies the circumstances under which compensation may be available to them.

Strengthening a death benefit claim requires preparation, organisation, and understanding of the trustees processes.

A testamentary trust is created under a will and only comes into existence on death.