caitebrewer Case Updates, Costs, Enduring Power of Attorney, estate administration, executors, Law, Trusts

Severence of Joint Tenancy – summary judgment in a fraud case

Yesterday I got judgment from the Chief Justice summarily dismissing an action that was attempting to attack a unilateral severence of a joint tenancy on the grounds of fraud. The Applicant (mother) and her daughter owned a property as joint tenants. Just before her death, the daughter engaged a solicitor to sever the join tenancy. … Continue reading Severence of Joint Tenancy – summary judgment in a fraud case

caitebrewer Case Updates, COVID, estate administration, executors, Informal wills, Law, Probate, wills

Audio-visual witnessing of wills – Re Sheehan

Judgment was handed down this morning in what I think is the first case where the Queensland Courts have considered the COVID-19 Emergency Response Act 2020 (Qld) and the Justice Legislation (COVID-19 Emergency Response – Documents and Oaths) Regulation 2020 (Qld) for the execution of wills. Unfortunately, in the signing process, the testator missed signing … Continue reading Audio-visual witnessing of wills – Re Sheehan

caitebrewer Case Updates, estate administration, executors, Family Provision, Law

NDIS and FPAs

Yesterday I finished a trial of an FPA in the Supreme Court.  The judgment is reserved and will be interesting because Ryan J is considering to what extent benefits that an applicant is to receive, or potentially receive, under the NDIS can be taken into account in determining whether adequate provision has been made and … Continue reading NDIS and FPAs

caitebrewer Case Updates, Costs, estate administration, executors, Family Provision, Law, Probate, Trusts

Barring claims under s68 Trusts Act

This is a case I was involved in last month.  Judgment was given yesterday. Finnegan v Garner [2019] QSC 100 The deceased died leaving a wife and eight children (including two step-children).  He and his wife separated in 2000, but did not divorce. The estate was worth just under $1m. It was believed that the … Continue reading Barring claims under s68 Trusts Act

caitebrewer Case Updates, Construction of wills, Costs, estate administration, executors, Family Provision, Law, Probate, Rectification of wills

Rectification where instructions given through an intermediary

Judgment was given this morning by Henry J in a rectification case where the deceased had given instructions for a will through his daughter. His Honour found "it is trite that instructions can be conveyed by an agent" and rectified the will to accord with those instructions. Read Fitzgerald v Rowley [2019] QSC 21 here. 

caitebrewer administrators, Case Updates, Construction of wills, Costs, estate administration, executors, Informal wills, Law, Probate

What is a “Purported will”?

S33Z of the Succession Act (Qld) provides that a person who has possession or control of a will of a deceased testator must, if asked, allow an entitled person to inspect the will and/or give a certified copy of the will on payment of the person’s reasonable expenses. will includes— (a) a purported will or revoked will; and (b) a part … Continue reading What is a “Purported will”?

caitebrewer Case Updates, Costs, estate administration, executors, Informal wills, Intestacy, Law, Probate

Another video will

This week Jackson J admitted a video recording to probate, made by the deceased and comprising a file on his personal computer. In it, the deceased said "My girlfriend would like me to do a will before I pick up my motorcycle. As I am too lazy, I’ll just say it... I’ll fill out the … Continue reading Another video will

caitebrewer Case Updates, Costs, Enduring Power of Attorney, estate administration, executors, Law, Superannuation

Court confirms attorney can make BDBN

Last Friday, Bowskill J of the Queensland Supreme Court held that a binding death benefit nomination (BDBN) made by attorneys was valid, in circumstances where the BDBN was confirming a nomination previously made by the principal. The judgment is very well reasoned and a relatively easy read. CAUTION - this case should not be treated … Continue reading Court confirms attorney can make BDBN

caitebrewer administrators, Case Updates, estate administration, executors, Family Provision, Law, Probate, removal of executors

Removal of executors at loggerheads

In a judgment delivered this morning, Davis J removed two executors who were at loggerheads, without any finding of fault or unfitness to occupy office.  His Honour found that the due and proper administration of the estate was best served by their removal and the appointment of an independent administrator. Read Re McLennan here.