Think You Are Too Young For a Will? Think Again
For many, the word Will still brings to mind something reserved for the elderly, the wealthy, or those facing serious illness. In reality, a Will is a powerful document that allows you to take control of how your assets, property, and personal affairs are managed [...]
No financial need, no provision: carer wife’s claim for share of husband’s estate thrown out
The Supreme Court has recently dismissed a claim brought by a surviving wife seeking provision from her deceased husband’s estate, on the basis that the wife could not demonstrate financial need. The Court found that her claim for a share of her husband’s estate had [...]
How the Trustee can remove the Appointor
In Staley v Hill Family Holdings Pty Ltd [2025] QCA 95, the Queensland Court of Appeal found that the power of a trustee to remove the appointor of a trust, pursuant to the Trust Deed, highlights the risks involved when establishing trusts without having the proper [...]
The Future of Private Ancillary Funds: A Shift toward “Giving Funds”
Private Ancillary Funds as we know them, may soon be a thing of the past. The Australian government has released a consultation paper with recommendations to reform the operation of both Public and Private Ancillary Funds. The new recommendations embrace a suite of changes which aim [...]
Pointon Partners Seminar: Discretionary trusts now not so discretionary Landmark Victoria Court of Appeal case
Please join us where our Partner Michael Bishop and Senior Lawyer Jess Tomlinson discuss the case Owies v JJ Nominees Pty ltd [2022] VSCA 142 which dealt with: obligations on a trustee to inform itself as to the needs of beneficiaries; and consider those needs even If [...]
Estate Planning in a Digital World
In this highly digital world in which we live, the use of digital assets and records has become part of our way of life, and their importance in business and our personal lives has increased. However, have you ever thought about what happens to these [...]
Estate Planning – Where the Will is not enough
When we are approached by a client to draft a will, they are often surprised by the number of questions that we ask them that help us determine what matters they will need to consider beyond the drafting of their will. We set out below [...]
Personal Law Webinar- Discretionary trusts now not so discretionary – Landmark Victoria Court of Appeal case
Please join us for our personal law webinar where our Partner Michael Bishop and Senior Lawyer Jess Tomlinson discuss the recent case Owies v JJ Nominees Pty ltd [2022] VSCA 142 which dealt with: obligations on a trustee to inform itself as to the needs [...]
Testamentary Trust – What is it and should you use one as part of your succession plan
Estate and succession planning can be a crucial consideration at varying stages of your life as it plays an important role when you are starting a family, a business or where your personal, family or financial circumstances change. As you start thinking about protecting your wealth [...]
Personal Law Webinar
On 14 July 2021, members of our Personal Law team presented a webinar on the following topics: - Medical and Financial Decisions - Planning for who makes the Decision when you can't. - The Role of an Executor - What you should know. The webinar [...]