Should I divide my estate equally… even if my children’s lives are no longer equal?  A recent story illustrates this perfectly. A father planned to leave his estate in three equal shares to his adult children. His wife disagreed — not out of favouritism, but because their children’s circumstances had diverged dramatically

Research conducted by NSW Trustee and Guardian in 2023 showed that 60% of NSW residents do not have a legal Will document in place. The recent Victorian Supreme Court decision in Re the Estate of Dunham serves as a stark reminder of what can go wrong when modern relationships collide with intestacy laws.

Robyn Margaret Wise died in April 2011, leaving a will that appointed her son Shane and her de facto partner Stephen as co-executors. The will gave Stephen half the value of the family home, with Shane and his brother Craig receiving a quarter share each of the remaining half. Probate was granted in March 2013, but the estate remained unadministered for over five years.

The Victorian Supreme Court's recent decision in Re Walker [2025] VSC 714 offers estate planning practitioners a compelling tale of two modern dilemmas: traditional probate challenges involving suspicious circumstances, and the emerging risks of artificial intelligence in legal practice. This judgment serves as both a masterclass in contested probate law and a stark warning about AI misuse.

After five years working with advisers, accountants and lawyers across hundreds of practices, one pattern stands out. Every practice has a group of clients who avoid estate planning. They delay. They postpone. They never commit. The reasons are usually the same. My affairs are simple. I do not want to meet a lawyer. It is too expensive. I already have a Post Office or online Will. It is too complicated. Here is the reality behind each one. 1. “My affairs are simple” This stat

When Robin Geoffrey Tarrant died in July 2024, he left behind his de facto partner of over eight years, Vanda Crothers, with only a limited right to reside in their jointly-owned home for ten years. Despite Ms Crothers having contributed $170,000 towards paying off their mortgage and sharing renovation costs, the Will essentially treated her as a temporary occupant rather than a life partner who had built a shared future. The court's decision to award Ms Crothers full owners

Ronald James Smith thought he was doing the right thing. At age 86, with dementia creeping in, he granted his beloved second wife Joyce an enduring power of attorney in January 2008. What happened next reads like a financial thriller—except the victims were real, and the damage was devastating.

Australia has long recognised that spouses and children should receive property from a deceased estate when a will doesn't adequately provide for them. Family provision laws, or testator's family maintenance, originated in New Zealand in the late 19th century and were gradually adopted by Australian states and territories from 1906. A recent Victorian Supreme Court decision, James v Rost; Lanagan v Rost  [2022] VSC 98, demonstrates how these laws continue to evolve, particula

For many advisers, estate planning feels like a conversation best left to lawyers. Yet the most successful advisory practices treat it as part of holistic wealth management because clients trust their adviser to help protect not just their money, but their family outcomes.

When David Bonnici took his own life in December 2014, he left behind more than just heartbreak—he created a legal mess that would cost his family years of court battles and thousands of dollars in legal fees. The NSW Supreme Court case that followed offers important lessons for anyone dealing with wills, relationships, and estate planning.

The 2009 Victorian Supreme Court case   Nicholson v Knaggs   # is more than just a dramatic legal saga—it's a masterclass in what can go...

The Murdoch family trust battle, which captivated global media, has ended with a $3.3 billion settlement that offers profound insights for advisers working with high-net-worth families.

Over the last few weeks, there has been a noticeable media push from “free Will” providers. Having worked in the web industry for over...

Over 1.1 million  UK-born Australians face a ticking tax bomb. With the UK's inheritance tax changes kicking in April 2025, a single...

Blended family estate planning presents a challenge in managing the complex intersection of love, law, and legacy, especially when both...

The Tracey Curro case stands as one of Australia’s most complex and publicised disputes involving enduring powers of attorney (EPOA) and elder abuse. It exposes how even robust legal instruments can fail without vigilance, regular review, and transparent family communication.

By:  Rafael Cohen ⛯  Inherit Australia co-fonder, Tech While Chris is enjoying a well-earned break in sunny Queensland, we thought it was...

When a Fortune Becomes a Legal Minefield When Australia’s first billionaire, Robert Holmes à Court, died suddenly in 1990 at age 53, he...

As Australia is going through another federal election cycle, advisers are facing a familiar but powerful reality: Elections create uncertainty, and uncertainty drives clients to seek clarity and protection. It’s not just about politics.

Over the past week, we’ve spoken with advisers across the country — and one message keeps coming up: 🔸 Clients are anxious about their s