Elder law & succession: June 2025

Important elder law cases on service of notice for family provision claims and allocating superannuation death benefits.

By - 2 min read

Undue influence after Bosschieter v Howitt: can the remedy be simplified?

Courts are increasingly willing to step outside the traditional presumptive relationships of influence following recent adoption of UK case law.

By - 1 min read

Assessing capacity and managing risk: working with elderly clients

As the great wealth transfer looms, courts increasingly require solicitors to take a conservative approach in assessing testamentary capacity.

By and - 1 min read

Elder law & succession: March 2025

Cases on when an estate’s administration is complete, managing non-complying SMSFs, cognitive impairment and testamentary capacity, and more. By DARRYL BROWNE.

By - 2 min read

An old, oral, unwitnessed promise can be equivalent to a testamentary act

The High Court held a promisor need not engage in conduct encouraging reliance on that promise for it to be enforceable by a court.

By - 2 min read

Elder law & succession: February 2025

Cases on engaging medical experts, the forfeiture rule, will construction and rectification, and family provision. By DARRYL BROWNE.

By - 1 min read

Elder law & succession: December 2024

Decisions on wrongful distribution, enduring powers of attorney, and testamentary and mental capacity. By DARRYL BROWNE.

By - 1 min read

Elder law & succession: November 2024

Decisions on severance by divorce, the essential validity of a will, payment of estate debts, and informal wills and costs. By DARRYL BROWNE.

By - 2 min read

Supreme Court Practice Note and NSWCA clarifies assumptions in wills and estates law

Wills and estates practitioners have new rules and precedent to follow with a new Supreme Court Practice Note and an influential decision in Alexakis.

By and - 1 min read

Elder law & succession: August 2024

Recent decisions involving mutual wills agreement, the validity of witness gifts, executor duties and elder financial abuse. By DARRYL BROWNE.

By - 11 min read