We caught up with Jonathon Naef, co-founder of multi-award winning boutique firm, Balance Family Law, to find out how he built the firm’s Wills & Estates team in response to both current and coming client demand in the space. It turns out family law and wills and estates can make the winning service combination…

  Major reforms to South Australia’s succession laws came into force on 1 January 2025. The new year saw the repeal of three Acts (the Administration and Probate Act 1919 (SA), the Inheritance (Family Provision) Act 1972 (SA) and the Wills Act 1936 (SA)), replacing these with a single Succession Act 2023. These are the most significant changes to be made in 30 years, Lawyer Megan Horsell outlines what you need to know.    

Tasman Ash Fleming, a barrister and accredited mediator (NMAS), highlights the importance of considering what is the purpose of the order sought. This article looks at the recent decision in Re Estate of Hagendorfer (Injunction) [2024] VSC 482 (‘Hagendorfer’) and addresses potential risks and provides guidance for practitioners to mitigate these risks.

Navigating the legal world requires a sharp mind and empathy – especially in matters of succession law. Krystal Bellamy, a Special Counsel at HopgoodGanim Lawyers and College of Law LLM graduate, naturally embodies these traits, which have served her well as a Wills and Estates lawyer. Krystal shares the key to thriving in what some would consider a ‘morbid’ field.

In this webinar, three Accredited Specialists in Wills and Estates, Max Williams, Natalie Silvester, and Rachael Hocking, will provide key updates on wills and estates law across NSW, Victoria, and Queensland. They will share their experiences and motivations for pursuing specialisation, and explore how the College of Law’s postgraduate program can help advance your career and education in this field.

Download the Wills and Estates Postgraduate Programs Course Guide and discover how our program can equip you with the knowledge and skills to navigate the complex world of estate planning, probate, and elder law.

Download the Postgraduate Programs Course Guide today and discover how our practical, hands-on approach can equip you with the skills and knowledge you need to succeed.

In this practice update, we will explore recent judicial guidance from Jurak v Latham [2023] NSWSC 1318 regarding Notices of Claim and the role they play in family provision proceedings. Here to guide us through the case is Josephine Pignataro, Special Counsel and Accredited Specialist (Wills & Estates). 

Download your guide to a career in wills and estates for everything you need to know about wills and estates in a nutshell, the personal strengths of a wills and estates lawyer, the core expertise of a wills and estates lawyer, related areas of expertise, and the career prospects in wills and estates law.

In this practice update, we delve into the legal grounds for removing an executor, a situation fraught with potential conflict and complexity. Barrister and adjunct lecturer at the College of Law, Tasman Ash Fleming, offers insights on the most common reasons for executor removal, from conflicts of interest to financial mismanagement. We'll explore the legal process for challenging an executor and the importance of clear evidence to secure a court order in Victoria.