Category Wills & Estates

This article was written by Grace Blake Solicitor at W & G Lawyers. For further information about Grace Blake’s professional background, legal experience, and areas of practice, please click on her name to view her full profile.

Every year, Will Awareness Week encourages Australians to consider one of the most important legal documents they will ever sign. Charities run promotions. Free Will kits circulate online. Community tables are set up with printed templates and cheerful brochures.

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This article was written by Nancy Wang Solicitor at W & G Lawyers. For further information about Nancy Wang‘s professional background, legal experience, and areas of practice, please click on her name to view her full profile.

A recent Queensland Supreme Court decision is a timely reminder that structuring your wealth through a family trust does not mean you can pass trust assets through your will.

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This article was written by Nancy Wang, Principal solicitor at W & G Lawyers. For further information about Nancy Wang’s professional background, legal experience, and areas of practice, please click on her name to view her full profile.

Blended families are increasingly common across Australia, yet they remain one of the most complex situations in estate planning. Where two people come together each with children from prior relationships, real property in various ownership structures, superannuation, insurance, and accumulated wealth — the stakes of getting an estate plan wrong are very high.

This article walks through the key issues every blended family should consider before meeting with a solicitor. It is general information only. Because every family’s situation is different, we strongly recommend obtaining independent legal advice tailored to your circumstances.

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Lessons from the NSW Court of Appeal’s $13.6 Million Decision

A recent decision of the NSW Court of Appeal has confirmed that, in exceptional circumstances, a note saved on an iPhone can operate as a legally valid will. While the Court ultimately upheld the deceased’s wishes, the case highlights the significant risks associated with informal estate planning.

The decision in Wheatley v Peak [2025] NSWCA 265 reinforces a simple and critical message. A properly drafted and executed will remains the safest and most effective way to protect an estate.

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Lessons from the Estate of Raveica Negrean

At W & G Lawyers, we regularly assist clients with disputes arising from informally prepared or poorly worded wills. A recent decision involving the estate of Raveica Negrean provides an instructive example of how courts determine whether a clause in a will is legally binding or merely expresses a non-enforceable wish.

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When purchasing property in Australia with another person – whether with a spouse, family member, or business partner – you must choose how the ownership is to be recorded. The two most common co-ownership structures are Joint Tenancy and Tenants in Common.

These structures can different significantly in their legal implications. Choosing the right form of ownership is critical for effective estate planning, asset protection, and future dispute resolution.

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Let’s face it—dealing with legal matters after someone passes away is difficult enough without added family tensions or disputes over a Will.

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