• Last Will & Testament of Diana, Princess of Wales

    I DIANA PRINCESS OF WALES of Kensington Palace London W8 HEREBY REVOKE all former Wills and testamentary dispositions made by me AND DECLARE this to be my last Will which I make this First day Of June One thousand nine hundred and ninety three 1 I APPOINT my mother THE HONOURABLE MRS FRANCES RUTH SHAND KYDD ...

     

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  • General Principles of Wills

    A will is a written document in which you state how you want your property distributed after you die. A person who makes a will is called a "testator". It also allows you to nominate an executor, who is the person responsible for making sure your wishes are met. What Happens If I Die Without A Will? If you di...

     

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Contact Us


KOGARAH OFFICE
Suite 309 – 310, Level 3
13A Montgomery Street
KOGARAH NSW 2217


SYDNEY CITY OFFICE
Ground Floor
54 Martin Place
SYDNEY NSW 2000


Email: solicitors@gmhlegal.com
Phone: (02) 9587 0458
Facsimile: (02) 9587 2936


CHALLENGING A WILL


Have you been left out of a will?


Whatever your problem we invite you to call for an immediate FREE assessment of your rights and explanation of the process.


Challenging a will is a formal objection raised against the validity of a will, based on the contention that the will does not reflect the actual intent of the testator. A will may be challenged in its entirety or only in part.

Challenging a will generally focuses on the assertion that the testator lacked testamentary capacity, was operating under an insane delusion, or was subject to undue influence or fraud.

In addition, wills can be also be challenged on the ground that the testator failed to make adequate provisions for dependants. This is called a ‘Family Provision Claim’.

To determine whether a will is valid, the Court will look at the following questions:

  • Is it the last will made by the deceased?
  • Was it executed in accordance with the formal requirements of the Act?
  • Did the will-maker have the testamentary capacity to make the will?
  • Was the will altered after it was originally signed?
  • Was there any undue influence involved when the will was drawn up?

CAPACITY TO MAKE A WILL

Anyone over the age of 18 can make a will, however people who make will must have testamentary capacity. This means they must be of sound mind, memory and understanding at the time of making the will.

A person is regarded as having the required capacity if they:

  • Understand the nature and the effect of a will
  • Know the nature and extent of their property
  • Comprehend and appreciate the claims to which they ought to give effect
  • Are not affected by delusions that influence the disposal of their assets at the time they are making their will.

SICK OR ELDERLY INDIVIDUALS

A will can be challenged on the grounds that the will-maker did not have sufficient capacity.

This arises most frequently when the will-maker is or extremely old when they make or change their will. If possible, you should make your will while you are still in good health. At GMH Legal we recommend that you do not put it off until you are very old or sick.

If the issue of capacity is likely to arise, you should obtain evidence of your testamentary capacity in the form of a medical certificate from your doctor or health worker.

INDIVIDUALS WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY

Testamentary capacity may also be an issue for people with intellectual disability. While evidence of capacity is not legal required, it may be desirable in some cases where the disability is severe or if there is a likelihood that the will could be challenged later on.

If it is clear that the person does not have the testamentary capacity to make a will, the Succession Act 2006 now provides for court authorised wills for those lacking testamentary capacity. Upon application, the Court may authorise that a will be made, altered or partially/fully revoked on behalf of a person lacking capacity either though immaturity or a particular incapacity.

The person on behalf whom the application is made must be alive at the time the order is made and, upon the execution of the will, the later must be deposited with the Registrar.

UNDUE INFLUENCE

If a person who has assisted the will-maker to draw up a will also stands to gain a great deal from it, that person may have to prove to the Court that there was no trickery, pressure, force or even fear involved in the making of the will.

The Court will overturn a will on the ground of undue influence where it is satisfied the will-maker’s mind was coerced to such an extent that the resulting will was contrary to the will-maker’s real intentions.

The Court may be especially suspicious about undue influence if there has been obvious persuasion by the person who drew up the will, especially where that person would benefit from it.

It can be difficult to prove undue influence unless there were witnesses present when it happened.

COURT ORDERS

In relation to a lack of testamentary capacity

Under Section 18(1) of the Succession Act 2006 (NSW) , a Court may on application by any person, make an order authorising:

  • A will to be made or altered, in specific terms approved by the Court, on behalf of a person who lacks testamentary capacity; or
  • A part of will to be revoked on behalf of a person who lacks testamentary capacity.

Please note that the Court will not make such order unless the person in respect of whom the application is made is alive when the order is made.

To apply for an order to be made under section 18 of the Succession Act, the applicant must give the following information to the Court:

  • A written statement of the general nature of the application and the reasons for making it;
  • Satisfactory evidence of the lack of testamentary capacity of the person
  • A reasonable estimate of the size and character of the estate
  • A draft proposed will, alteration or revocation for which the applicant is seek the Court’s approval
  • Any evidence available of the person’s wishes
  • Any evidence of the likelihood of the person acquiring or regaining testamentary capacity
  • Any evidence of any persons who might be entitled to claim on the intestacy of the person
  • Any evidence of the circumstances of any person for whom provision might reasonably be expected to be made by will by the person
  • Any evidence of a gift for a charitable or other purpose that the person might reasonably be expected to make by will
  • Any other facts of which the applicant is aware that are relevant to the application

In relation to the rectification of a will to carry out the testator’s intentions

Under Section 27 of the Succession Act 2006 (NSW), the Court may make an order to rectify a will if satisfied the will does not carry out the testator’s intention because of:

  • A clerical error; or
  • The will does not give effect to the testator’s instructions.

Please note that if you wish to make an application under section 27 of the Succession Act, you must do so within 12 months of the death of the testator.

FAMILY PROVISION CLAIM

The rationale of the Family provision claim, is to ensure that adequate provision is made for certain defined eligible persons, whether or not there was a will and whether or not the eligible person was mentioned in it. Please note that by filing an application for a Family provision claim, you are not challenging the validity of the will, instead you are contesting the provisions made by the deceased in the will.

If you believe that you have not been properly provided by the decease, you can file an application for a family provision claim.

Who is eligible to make a Family provision claim?

According to chapter 3 of the Succession Act 2006 (NSW), those eligible to apply include:

  • Wife or husband of the deceased person at the time of death
  • Person with whom the deceased person was living in a de facto relationship at the time of their death (including same sex partner)
  • A child of the deceased person
  • A former wife or husband of the deceased person
  • A person who was, at any particular time, wholly or partly dependent on the deceased person, and at any time a member of the same household as the deceased person
  • A grandchild who was at any particular time wholly or partly dependent on the deceased person
  • A person with whom the deceased person was living in a close personal relationship at the deceased person’s death

For more information on filing an application for a Family provision claim, please refer to the ‘Family provision claim’ section of the GMH Legal website.

Call the experienced team at GMH Legal to assist you in your matter. A free consultation with GMH Legal is an opportunity to gain deep insights into your legal situation and all of your options.

Why Choose GMH Legal?

  • Over 60 years of combined legal experience
  • Outstanding track record with a winning approach
  • First appointment is always free
  • Meet our team now.


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