Most adult Australians do not have a Will. An unfortunate consequence of waiting to finalise such an important document is that life is uncertain. It is important to protect your wishes, and a crucial component of estate planning and maintenance is your testamentary capacity.
In August 2024, the Supreme Court of Queensland delivered a decision which involved a question of interpretation of the Will of ‘Penelope Comino’ and highlights the importance of reviewing and updating your Will regularly, particularly where there has been a change in your circumstances.
When applying for probate, the original Will is required to be submitted with the application. There are requirements for what documents may or may not be considered a formal Will.
There are several important considerations relevant to the administration of a deceased estate after someone dies. One of those is how other areas of law may intersect with estate law, creating some complexities when administering the estate.
In September 2023, the Queensland government released a public policy paper, “Intestacy Entitlements and Family Provision Applications”, which outlines proposed legislative changes aimed at modernising sections of the Succession Act primarily related to the current intestacy rules.
Understanding how the law interprets the breakdown of a de facto relationship can be significant in estate planning, deceased estates and family law matters.
If you’ve done the right thing and written your Will, it’s important to ensure you check it from time to time, to ensure it still meets your wishes and what you intend to happen with your property and possessions, should you die.