Will Dispute/Family Provision Judgments

Last updated 3 March 2017
By Ari Katsoulas

February 2016

  • Stollery v Stollery [2016] NSWSC 54 (Stevenson J) – claim under the Succession Act 2006 (NSW) for provision by an adult son – estranged son – summons dismissed
  • Henry v Hancock [2016] NSWSC 71 (Brereton J) – claim for provision by an adult daughter under the Family Provision Act 1982 (NSW) – out of time – notional estate – summons dismissed.
  • Walker v Walker; the Estate of Ngaere Joy Walker, late of Mortdale [2016] NSWSC 92 (Slattery J) application for removal of one excutor by the other
  • Manning v Matsen (No. 2) [2016] NSWSC 70 (Slattery J) – Costs
  • Judith Evelyn Hockey v Richard Matthew Hockey and Lorraine Frances Hockey as executors and trustees of the Estate of Lloyd Roland Hockey [2016] NSWSC 426 (Brereton J) – Family Provision – Approval of Compromise
  • Estate of May Berry, deceased [2016] NSWSC 130 (Lindsay J) – successful application by adult daughters.
  • The Estate of the Late Akos Balazs Melegh [2016] NSWSC 249 (Slattery J)

March 2016

  • Paradisis v Kekatos as executor of the estate of the Late John Paradisis [2016] NSWSC 220 – Family Provision by Widow – Inadequate Provision (life estate in matrimonial home) – order for provision.
  • Sellak v Sellak, estate of late Corrado Simon Sellak; Sellak v Sellak [2016] NSWSC 213 – (Slattery J) – Family Provision Claim under the Succession Act 2006 (NSW).
  • Campton v Hedges [2016] NSWSC 201 (Hallen J) – Informal Testamentary Document
  • Life v Hall [2016] NSWSC 316 (Hallen J) – Out of time application by adult son for provision.
  • Edmonds v Morrissey [2016] NSWSC 342 (Darke J) – construction of a will – issue

April 2016

  • Yee v Yee & Anor [2016] NSWSC 360 (Slattery J) – family provision application by nephew fo the deceased – factors warranting – dismissed with costs.
  • Estate Cockell; Cole v Paisley [2016] NSWSC 349 (Lindsay J) – Contested grant – Testamantary Capacity – Soundness of mind, memory and understanding – will valid.
  • Sadiq v NSW Trustee and Guardian [2016] NSWCA 62 (McColl JA at [1]; Leeming JA at [2]; Sackville AJA at [63]) – intestacy – claim that plaintiff was de facto partner of deceased for many years – claim not accepted by primary judge – conflict between evidence of plaintiff and evidence of neighbours and social workers – paucity of documentary evidence – inconsistencies in plaintiff’s case – no appellable error shown – appeal dismissed
  • Steiner v Strang [2016] NSWSC 395 (Slattery J) – action by residuary beneficiary on behalf of estate for the recovery of monies claimed to be owed to an estate – executors unwilling to bring action – deceased worked in a bridal couturier business for approximately 25 years before her death.
  • Estate Pascale [2016] NSWSC 443 (Lindsay J) – Claims by former partner and adult children – Competing claims of widow and minor child – Orders made capping costs payable out of estate
  • Application of Harnett and Cutts [2016] NSWSC 427 (Pembroke J) – next of kin inquiry
  • Steiner v Strang (No 2) [2016] NSWSC 394 (Lindsay J) – Application for summary relief – Pleading alleged to be defective – Strike out application dismissed
  • Penfold v Predny [2016] NSWSC 472 (Hallen J) – Application for Provision by adult Child – Summons Dismissed.
  • Estate Raineri [2016] NSWSC 489 (Lindsay J) – Family Provision – Requirement for adequate and proper maintenance – Whether applicant left with insufficient provision – Claims by adult children – Court not satisfied applicants left without adequate provision – Applications for family provision relief dismissed
  • Bechara v Bechara [2016] NSWSC 513 (Hallen J) – informal testamentary document – revocation.
  • Christina Elizabeth Hay v Sarah Renwick [2016] NSWSC 1048 (Brereton J) – family provision case by de facto partner – legacy of $1.5million from estate.

May 2016

  • Morier v Liem [2016] NSWSC 582 (Hallen J) – family provision claim by adult child – small estate – self-represented defendant.
  • Estate of Raul Novosadek [2016] NSWSC 554 (Young AJ)
  • Diane Allen v Attorney General of NSW [2016] NSWSC 579 (Young AJ) – will construction case.
  • Estate Webster [2016] NSWSC 580 (Lindsay J)
  • The Estate of the Late Akos Balazs Melegh (No. 2) [2016] NSWSC 584 (Slattery J)
  • Stone v Stone [2016] NSWSC 605 (Brereton J) – Family Provision application by adult daughter of second marriage – extension of time.
  • Elizabeth Ann Bremner v Jennifer Lee Graham [2016] NSWSC 633 (Hallen J) – Family Provision application – mother of the deceased – factors warranting – order for provision made.

June 2016

  • Gray v Mather [2016] NSWSC 699 (Hallen J)
  • Estate Sullivan [2016] NSWSC 524 (Lindsay J)
  • Estate Sue [2016] NSWSC 721 (Lindsay J)
  • Sellak v Sellak, estate of the late Corrado Simon Sellak; Sellak v Sellak (No. 2) [2016] NSWSC 396 (Slattery J)
  • Hinderry v Hinderry [2016] NSWSC 780 (Hallen J)
  • Meissner v Lindsay [2016] NSWSC 790 (Robb J)

July 2016

  • Revell v Revell [2016] NSWSC 947 (Pembroke J)
  • Maria Saravinovksa v Krste (Chris) Saravinovski; Chris Saravinovski v George Saravinovski (No 6) [2016] NSWSC 964
  • Stojanovski v Stojovski [2016] NSWSC 976
  • Woodleigh v Williams [2016] NSWSC 979 (Kunc J) –
  • Estate Polykarpou; Re a charity [2016] NSWSC 409 (Lindsay J) – Charitable Gifts – Construciton.
  • Moxey v Bass [2016] NSWSC 1022 (Hallen J) – Family Provision claim by Child of the deceased.
  • James v Douglas [2016] NSWCA 178 (Court of Appeal) –

August 2016

  • Smith v Smith [2016] NSWSC 1077 (Hallen J)- order for provision made for two adult children applicants
  • Colegrove v Dullaghan [2016] NSWSC 1105 (Robb J) – Letters of Administration – Informal Document
  • Bindoff v The Trust Company (Australia) Ltd; Estate of the late Everitt Joseph Griffiths [2016] NSWSC 1100 (Slattery J) – Family Provision Claim by adult daughter
  • Dark v Dark [2016] NSWSC 1223 (White J) – Family Provision
  • Chan v Chan [2016] NSWCA 222 (Court of Appeal)- Family Provision Claim by Adult Son
  • Estate El Chami; Habib v El Chami [2016] NSWSC 1208 (Lindsay J) – Testamentary Capacity – Family Provision

September 2016

  • Anderson v Anderson [2016] NSWSC 1204 (Hallen J)
  • Page v Page [2016] NSWSC 1218 (Hallen J)- application for provision by brother of the deceased
  • Damevski v Hope [2016] NSWSC 1231 (Pembroke J) –
  • The Estate of Hertslet; Richard John William d’Apice Administrator of the late John Leo Hertslet [2016] NSWSC 1240 (Slattery J) – Judicial Advice
  • Colegrove v Dullaghan (No 2) [2016] NSWSC 1236 (Robb J) – Costs
  • Barakett v Barakett [2016] NSWSC 1257 (White J) – Probate
  • Monaghan v Monaghan; Monaghan v Monaghan [2016] NSWSC 1316 (Slattery J)
  • Berry v Nicholls [2016] NSWCA 272 (Court of Appeal) – Application for leave to appeal – no error
  • Carr v Douglass (No. 2) [2016] NSWSC 1367 (Slattery J)
  • Page v Page [No 2] [2016] NSWSC 1323 (Hallen J) – Costs of Family Provision Claim
  • Kohari v NSW Trustee & Guardian [2016] NSWSC 1372 (Hallen J) – Costs of Family Provision Claim – withdrawn/dismissed/discontinued
  • Sitki v Sitki; Sitki v Aksoy [2016] NSWSC 1396 (Stevenson J) – Family Provision Claim by Widow

October 2016

  • Gifford v Nicholl [2016] NSWSC 1460 (White J)
  • Re Kilby & Ors [2016] NSWSC 1433 (Slattery J)
  • Application by NSW Trustee and Guardian (Estate of the late Frederick John Vermaak) [2016] NSWSC 1436 (Slattery J)
  • Patterson v Scott [2016] NSWSC 1477 (Hallen J)- discontinuance of proceedings and costs

November 2016

  • Saba v Saba [2016] NSWSC 1576 (Stevenson J) – Family provision application by adult daughter – further provision by way of $150,000
  • Hinderry v Hinderry (No 2) [2016] NSWSC 1577 (Hallen J) – Costs in Family provision application
  • The Estate of Juliana Voros; Cooney & Ors v Cherry [2016] NSWSC 1603 (Hallen J) – revocation of grant of probate
  • Application by Craig-Bridges; The Estate of Ella Minnie Lillian Bush; The Estate of Ella Minnie Lillian Bush v NSW Trustee & Guardian [2016] NSWSC 1611 (Stevenson J) – Testamentary Capacity; Family provision application by adult daughter – successful

December 2016

  • Austin v NSW Trustee and Guardian [2016] NSWSC 1675 (Hallen J) – Family Provision application by grandchild of deceased – unsuccessful; Real Property claim by executor for possession
  • Re Filomena Rodi, deceased [2016] NSWSC 1696 (Lindsay J) – family provision application by adult daughter – dismissed;  application by adult grandson – legacy of $200,000.00
  • Estate of Grahame David Wright [2016] NSWSC 1779 (Kunc J) – Construction Case
  • Petkovic v Koutalianos [2016] NSWSC 1817 (Hallen J) – Family provision application by adult daughter – unsuccessful.
  • Thompson v Sgro [2016] NSWSC 1869 (Hallen J) – family provision application by adult daughter – successful – lump sum by reference to net proceeds of property sale
  • Clark v Ro [2016] NSWSC 1877 (Hallen J) – family provision application by adult daughter – lump sum legacy of $130,000

2017 – Succession, Probate & Will Cases

January

  • Re Estate Wilson, Deceased [2017] NSWSC 1 (Lindsay J) – Intestacy – distribution order – application of part 4.4 of Succession Act (
  • Lodin v Lodin; Estate of Dr Mohammad Masoud Lodin [2017] NSWSC 10 (Brereton J) – Family Provision application by former wife – legacy of $750,000.00

February

  • Spata v Tumino; Estate of Gina Spata [2017] NSWSC 111 (Brereton J) – Family provision claim by adult stepson – dismissed
  • Steiner v Strang [2017] NSWSC 132 (Kunc J) – Application for Interim Distribution- dismissed
  • Singh v Singh [2017] NSWCA 15 (

March

  • Jodell v Woods [2017] NSWSC 143 (Hallen J) – Successful Provision Claim by Adult Daughter – lump sum of $425,000.00
  • Estate Stojic, Deceased [2017] NSWSC 168 (Lindsay J) – Testamentary Capacity – Knowledge and Approval – Suspicious Circumstances
  • Kraljevic v Kraljevic [2017] NSWSC 225 (Pembroke J) – Will Dispute – Knowledge and Approvla – Estoppel
  • James v Phillips (No 2) [2017] NSWSC 257 (Pembroke J) – Costs
  • Estate George Roby, deceased [2017] NSWSC 265 (Lindsay J) – Declarations of Trust – Successful Family Provision Claim – Extension of time
  • Glenda Phillips v James Phillips; John Matthew Phillips by his Tutor NSW Trustee & Guardian v James Phillips (No 2) [2017] NSWSC 281 (Kunc J) – Amendment of Cross-Claim to seek Family Provision Order
  • Meres v Meres [2017] NSWSC 285 (Hallen J) – Unsuccessful claim for provision by adult child of the deceased
  • Malachowski Jnr v Ciura; Malachowski v Ciura [2017] NSWSC 381 (Kunc J) – Terms of orders to give effect to settlement

April

  • Barbanera v Barbanera & Ors; Estate of the late Antonio Barbanera [2017] NSWSC 357 (Slattery J) – Family provision claim by adult son – conduct disentitling and/or estranging conduct
  • Smith v Smith [2017] NSWSC 408 (Lindsay J) – Breach of Fiduciary duties by executor of estate – declrations of trust –
  • Misek v McBride [2017] NSWSC 406 (Slattery J) – Family provision claim by grandchild of the deceased – members of same household –
  • Toscano v Toscano [2017] NSWSC 419 (Robb J) – Family Provision claim by adult children – notional estate designation orders – estoppel

May

  • Meres v Meres (No 2) [2017] NSWSC 523 (Hallen J) – Costs following unsuccessful family provision claim
  • Estate MPS, deceased [2017] NSWSC 482 (Lindsay J) –
  • Gray v Taylor & Anor; The Estate of the late Stanislaw Zajac [2017] NSWSC 497 (Slattery J) – Testamentary Capacity
  • Carusi-Lees v Carusi [2017] NSWSC 590 (Hallen J) – Successful Family Provision Claim by Adult Child – Notional Estate
  • Mitar v Mitar [2017] NSWSC 647 (Robb J) – Successful family provision application by adult son.
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August

  • Kohari v NSW Trustee & Guardian (No 2) [2017] NSWSC 1080 (Parker J) – Successful Family Provision Claim by Adult Child – $100,000 legacy
  • The Estate of William John Gilbert [2017] NSWSC 1138 (Emmett AJA) – Construction Case – alternate claim for provision
  • Leary v NSW Trustee and Guardian [2017] NSWSC 1113 (Ward CJ in Eq) – Family Provision Claim by Adult Child – insufficient disclosure – application dismissed
  • Anderson v Hill [2017] NSWSC 1149 (Hallen J) – Application by Adult Child subsequently protected person – notional estate only – application dismissed
  • Borthwick v Mitchell [2017] NSWSC 1145 (Ward CJ in Eq) – Informal Will – knowledge and approval

September

  • Walker v Harwood [2017] NSWCA 228 (Basten JA; Macfarlan JA; Payne JA) – Appeal of Costs Orders
  • Ivanna Ann-Marie Ferenc Stojic v Simon Stojic [2017] NSWSC 1235(Kunc J) – Notice of Motion to revoke grant of probate – dismissed
  • Application by Clauson [2017] NSWSC 1265 (Ward CJ in Eq) – Judicial Advice
  • Mitar v Mitar (No 2) [2017] NSWSC 1308 (Robb J) – Costs

October

  • Moreau v Moreau [2017] NSWSC 1333 (Slattery J) – Family Provision claim by adult son – extension of time (around 4 years) granted – provision claim successful
  • Wilson v Porada; The Estate of Peter Wolfgang Porada, late of Pericoe (No. 2) [2017] NSWSC 1362 (Slattery J) –
  • Sergent v Glass [2017] NSWSC 1446 (Ward CJ in Eq) –
  • Estate of Deidre Carolyn Peters [2017] NSWSC 1405 (Emmett AJA) – Construction Case
  • Ballas v Balis [2017] NSWSC 1434 (Ward CJ in Eq) – Informal Will
  • Hartley v Woods [2017] NSWSC 1420 (Lindsay J) –
  • Larkin v Leech-Larkin [2017] NSWSC 1418 (Parker J) – Family Provision claim by Adult Son – estrangement – application dismissed.
  • Bruce v Cobcroft [2017] NSWSC 1464 (Ward CJ in Eq) – Judicial Advice

November 

  • William Bkassini v Sonya Sarkis [2017] NSWSC 1487(Robb J)
  • Portis v Green [2017] NSWSC 1489 (Kunc J) – Family Provision Application by Adult Son – Estrangement
  • Estate Pamplin; Irwin v Pamplin [2017] NSWSC 1477 (Lindsay J) – competing grants for administration under intestacy – declaration of de facto spouse –
  • McCarthy v Tye [2017] NSWCA 284 (Basten JA; Macfarlan JA; Sackville AJA) – Appeal – legacy ordered in court below – appeal on quantum – appeal dismissed