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Webinar Series

Challenging the Will: When the Gloves Come Off in Estate Litigation - 5 program on demand webinar series

Practitioners operating in the area of wills and estates know first-hand the myriad of ways in which a testator’s wishes can be challenged. However, fore-warned is certainly fore-armed, especially when it comes to estate litigation. This five part webinar series examines the key i

Date/Time

01/05/2022

About the webinar series

Practitioners operating in the area of wills and estates know first-hand the myriad of ways in which a testator’s wishes can be challenged. However, fore-warned is certainly fore-armed, especially when it comes to estate litigation. This five part webinar series examines the key issues in this area of practice, and how they have been dealt with by practitioners and the courts. Sessions covered include rebutting the presumption of knowledge and approval, will challenges for undue influence, as well as lessons from recent family provision cases. It also includes sessions on litigating proprietary estoppel, as well as a deep dive into estate litigation costs.

Training for as many staff as you want - no additional cost!

A single purchase entitles your company to access the on demand webinars online as you require them for as many training sessions and for as many staff as you want.

The Programs

Program 1: What, When and How: Knowledge and Approval in Estate Litigation

The recent case of Lewis v Lewis [2021] NSWCA 168 highlights the challenges of overturning the presumption of knowledge and approval, even where capacity may not be an issue. This session will examine the important lessons from this case for succession lawyers, including:

  • Why testamentary capacity is only part of the equation
  • Key elements of knowledge and approval
  • Rebutting the presumption – what evidence is required?
  • Consequences of failure to prove knowledge and approval, including will invalidity and severance
  • Is it enough that the will-maker has read the will?
  • Court assessment of knowledge and approval in the event of:
    • Mental acuity and comprehension issues
    • Suspicious circumstances
    • Unsophisticated will-makers
    • Complex financial circumstances and arrangements
  • How can advisers best ensure that knowledge and approval by their client is satisfied?
  • Tips for client management, record keeping and will drafting
  • A discussion of recent cases


Program 2: The Power of Persuasion: Will Challenges for Undue Influence

Economic challenges and an ageing society have resulted in the elderly becoming increasingly vulnerable to influences from family for financial support. But when does such behaviour change from suggestion to influence and when should a will be challenged on the basis of undue influence? This session examines the law of undue influence and provides a guide to legal practitioners faced with claims of this nature, including:

  • Red flags and other signs of undue influence
  • Where to draw the line between suggestion, persuasion and undue influence
  • What should a solicitor do if they suspect their client has been subject to undue influence?
  • Who has standing to make a claim of undue influence following death of the will-maker?
  • What standard of proof is required?
  • Where undue influence is proved what effect will the finding have on the will?
  • Recent cases including Hayward (as Executor of Felton Estate) v Speedy Felton [2021] NSWSC 943; Estate of Rofe [2021] NSWSC 257


Program 3: All in the Family: Lessons from Family Provision Cases

The family provision jurisdiction has provided an outlet for claims by dissatisfied family members seeking a slice, or a bigger share, of the inheritance pie. This session will examine some general themes in these cases and provide a guide to what practitioners should be advising their clients before bringing a family provision claim, including:

  • Does the mantra “it’s my money and I can leave it to whoever I choose” have any weight anymore?
  • Eligibility requirements for making a claim for insufficient provision
  • How far will the courts consider fairness or moral duty over relationship circumstances?
  • Acting for the claimant and strategies for overcoming obstacles including:
    • Estrangement
    • Bad relationships
    • Unequal distribution
  • Presenting evidence and what the courts want to hear
  • Costs considerations and the risk of claimant liability for costs
  • Case law update


Program 4: Promises Promises: Litigating Proprietary Estoppel Estate Claims

A number of recent decisions highlight the availability of proprietary estoppel as an alternative to a family provision claim in challenging the will maker. This session will explore the evidentiary and other requirements of bringing a claim in estoppel, including:

  • Common examples of proprietary estoppel
  • Who has standing to bring a claim?
  • Time limits for making a claim
  • What orders can the claimant seek?
  • Proving the promise – what evidence is required to show:
    • The promise was made
    • Reliance on the promise
    • Reliance resulted in a detriment to the claimant
  • Will the court always order specific performance?
  • Cases including Re Mahoney [2015] VSC 600; Moore v Aubusson [2020] NSWSC 1466; Nendy v Armstrong Ors [2020] QSC 380; Harris v Harris [2021] VSCA 138


Program 5: Adding Up the Costs in Estate Litigation

Courts have a discretion when ordering costs, and it is a misconception that the estate will always pay the costs of litigation. This session will look at the changing nature of cost allocation and orders in estate litigation, including:

  • Do costs always follow the event?
  • What are the cost rules in estate litigation and how far can judges deviate from the rules?
  • Issues in costs allocation including:
    • The cause of the litigation
    • Investigations as a result of capacity or drafting
  • The proportionality principle: Oslen v Oslen [2019] NSWSC; Harris v Harris [2018] NSWCA 334
  • Cost consequences for executors behaving badly
  • Advising clients on the prospects of success and cost implications for bad or unfollowed advice
  • When will a court impose personal cost orders against practitioners?
  • Recent cases including: The estate of Milan Zlatevski; Geroska v Zlatevski (No 2) [2020] NSWSC 388; Re Veca [2015] VSC74; In the Estate of Amuso (No 2) [2021] SASC 61; Re Howden; Howden v Rackshaw [2020] VSC 315; Trinder v Ciniglio [2020] QSC 176

Presented By

Angela Cornford-Scott
Director, Cornford-Scott Lawyers Brisbane, QLD
Asheetha Jelliffe
Partner, Bridges Lawyers Sydney, NSW
Ursula Stanisich
Barrister Mediator, Melbourne
Scott Whitla
Partner, McCullough Robertson Lawyers Brisbane, QLD
Christian Teese
Special Counsel, Rigby Cooke Lawyers Melbourne, Vic

Special Offer

End of Financial Year Sale - was $1210 - now only $550 if you order by 30.6.23.

Enquiries/Assistance

If you need assistance or have an enquiry, please do not hesitate to contact our Customer Service Team – contact Darren Steele on (03) 8601 7719 or email: [email protected]

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