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Instructing an expert in an estate challenge - lessons from the Green case capacity deceased estate estate estate planning supreme court Nov 20, 2024

Complexities can arise in disputes over wills and estate management, particularly when questions of testamentary capacity and undue influence are at the heart of the proceedings. In reviewing the recent Supreme Court case of Green v Green [2024] NSWSC 1442 below, we will explore the...

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Lessons to be learned from this family business dispute business family business heads of agreement supreme court Nov 06, 2024

A family dispute concerning the ownership and control of Kennedy Watches & Jewellery Pty Ltd ("the Business"), a well-known distributor of luxury watches with franchise agreements with prestigious brands like Rolex, Patek Phillippe, and Omega, was dealt with in the Supreme Court of New...

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But you promised me the farm?!? Promissory estoppel and the alternate family provision claim deceased estate estates family provision promissory estoppel supreme court Oct 16, 2024

Hildebrandt v Papakonstantinou [2024] NSWSC 1181 (19 September 2024)

 In a recent case decided by the New South Wales Supreme Court, the plaintiffs sought relief based on the doctrine of proprietary estoppel and, alternatively, a family provision order in relation to a rural property owned...

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Additional estate provision for spouse - from the children's shares deceased estate estate estates family provision supreme court Sep 03, 2024

Pillinger v Lees [2024] NSWSC 1067 (23 August 2024)

The Supreme Court of New South Wales last week ruled on a family provision claim brought by a spouse against the estate of her late husband. This case, under Section 59 of the Succession Act 2006 (NSW), focused on whether sufficient provision...

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Trouble was a-brewing for a tea industry partnership business business law partnership agreements supreme court May 29, 2024

A partnership agreement will typically contain a provision specifying what happens if a partner wishes to exit the partnership - for example, in the case of retirement. The agreement will then typically also contain a provision specifying how the outgoing partner's share in the partnership...

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Navigating legal battles when co-ownership goes undocumented co-ownership deceased estate estate property supreme court trusts May 08, 2024

All legal dealings, especially when they are between friends and family members, should be documented - which will be helpful if a dispute ever arises (or even, as in this case, one of the parties dies and the family needs to understand the nature of the dealing). ...

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The complexity of interpreting Wills and the case of the unborn nephew beneficiaries deceased estate estate planning estates supreme court Apr 30, 2024

There is a concept called "testamentary freedom" -  a will-maker has the freedom to draft a document leaving their estate to whomever they wish. However, the document needs to be drafted so that it correctly reflects the will-maker's wishes, and when terms such as "survives me" and "it...

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Can you protect your view? easements neighbours nuisance property supreme court Oct 04, 2023

Imagine that you have just purchased your dream property, complete with a picturesque view of the harbour. Until one day, your neighbour directly in front of you decides it's time for them to expand their family, and so they build another storey on top of their house, effectively blocking your...

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When an Estate is left to adult children but not the deceased's spouse deceased estate family provision succession act supreme court Sep 13, 2023

Yet again, the Supreme Court has dealt with the issue as to whether provision should be made from a deceased estate for a person who claims to have been the deceased's de facto partner, or some other form of "eligible person", for that person's future maintenance, education or...

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When is a property landlord ready, willing andĀ able to settle the sale? lease property purchasing property selling property supreme court May 29, 2023

If there are ever any delays with completion (or settlement) of a property sale, the party seeking to recover a remedy against the other party must show that as at the original settlement date, ït was "ready, willing and able" to settle.  If it wasn't, then it cannot seek...

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What came first - the mortgagee's power of sale, or the owner's alleged sale? caveat conveyancing loan agreements mortgage power of sale property property law real property act supreme court May 16, 2023

The Supreme Court of New South Wales has just handed down its decision dealing with the competing claims of a contract and a caveat - for a residential property at Bradman Road, Menai.

ProLend Solutions No. 123 Pty Ltd v Karout [2023] NSWSC 490 (8 May 2023)

The proceedings were...

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The power of section 100 statements: exploring the testator's choices in estate planning estate planning estates family provision succession act supreme court Apr 10, 2023

 When a person creates a will, they have the power to decide who will inherit their property and assets after they pass away. In some cases, a testator may choose to exclude a child from their will, and in such cases, they may choose to include a statement explaining the reasons why the...

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