Judgment was given and probate granted yesterday in the well-publicised case of the mobile phone video will. Reasons yet to be published (they were given ex temp, but his Honour has indicated he intends to publish them), I will post them when they are. See the Courier Mail article here. A lot of fellow succession … Continue reading Mobile phone video recording admitted to probate
Mobile phone video will
See Courier Mail article published today on a case I was in last week.
Homemade wills and carers
A gift in a homemade will read as follows: “I now want my carer Violetta Del Campo of ... to receive $50,000 provided that she has remained my carer until my death.” The question was whether Ms Del Campo had satisfied the condition that she remained the deceased’s carer until the time of his death. … Continue reading Homemade wills and carers
Solicitors beware – Cost capping in FPA
Rosengren DCJ last week heard an application for final orders after the settlement of an FPA. The settlement provided that the applicant's costs of $66K and the respondent's costs of $70K be paid from the estate. Her Honour granted final orders, but in relation to costs, thought they were excessive (the estate was only $213K, … Continue reading Solicitors beware – Cost capping in FPA
Interesting Q on Operation of the Forfeiture Rule – is an indirect benefit prohibited?
What a fascinating case, wish I could have been in it! I love the forfeiture rule. In a recent WA judgment a question arose as to the operation of the forfeiture rule, which prevents a killer from benefiting from the unlawful killing. The question in Public Trustee (WA) -v- Mack was whether a son, who was … Continue reading Interesting Q on Operation of the Forfeiture Rule – is an indirect benefit prohibited?
Article on statutory will case
See the recent Courier Mail article on the LWA statutory will case here.
Reasons published in statutory will case
Applegarth J has published his reasons in a statutory will case that was heard over three days in August. A summary of the decision was published by Rebecca Treston QC recently, see the summary here. The costs decision will be an interesting one. Read Re APB here.
Recent media
August has been a busy month. Here are four articles published on cases I have been in. Elderly multimillionaire’s $70m estate at heart of complex will battle Court orders texta marks on mum’s will be ignored Critical lessons for SMSF succession planning Pilot’s partner wins court approval to organise his funeral
Whose will is it anyway? Court of Appeal considers rectification power
The Qld Ct of Appeal today handed down judgment in a rectification case. I appeared for the appellant. This is the first time an appellate court in Australia has considered the new, broader powers of rectification of wills (introduced in Qld in 2006). The testator and her partner told their solicitor they each wanted the … Continue reading Whose will is it anyway? Court of Appeal considers rectification power
