Predictions revisited negative gearing

Predictions Revisited: Negative Gearing

Contested Estates, Probate and Deceased Estates
Predictions revisited negative gearing

A while ago I published a report entitled Top 10 Estate Planning Predictions for Australia.

This report stated that, over the next 10 years, Australia will face significant challenges as it attempts to balance its books while enormous numbers of Baby-Boomers exit the scene.

It concluded that the State & Federal Governments (of all political persuasions) will need to make some difficult choices to address these challenges, and attempt to cling onto our desirable quality of life.

Superannuation Death Benefits – Be Warned

Contested Estates, Probate and Deceased Estates
Superannuation Death Benefits Be Warned

As a matter of law an entitlement under a superannuation fund does not automatically form part of the assets of a deceased estate.

All superannuation funds in Australia are trusts, which are governed by their respective deeds of trust, subject to the Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Act 1993 (Cth), and administered by a trustee who holds a discretion in terms of the persons whom the trustee decides should receive the superannuation trust fund proceeds.

Top 10 reasons why challenges to Wills and estates are becoming more common

Top 10 reasons why challenges to Wills and estates are becoming more common

Contested Estates, Probate and Deceased Estates
Top 10 reasons why challenges to Wills and estates are becoming more common

Generational change in attitudes mean that more people than ever before are now prepared to challenge a Will if they don’t get what they regard as a fair share

A recent survey in the UK reveals that one in four people would mount a legal challenge against a loved one’s Will or estate if they were unhappy with it.

UK Court statistics confirm such disputes are on the rise, reflecting the increased readiness of family members to oppose a relative’s last wishes, with a record number of inheritance disputes now reaching Court.

Rogue Executors

Rogue Executors

Contested Estates, Probate and Deceased Estates
Rogue Executors

When executors goes bad, and what to do about it…

Several times each month, my phone will ring, and someone will tell me about a family member who is doing the wrong thing in the administration of a deceased estate.

It’s often a sibling. For some reason, some brothers and sisters can have a rivalry that borders on all-out warfare. There have been times when I’ve had sibling-executors in my office who couldn’t agree on the colour of an orange! (The expression ‘cats and dogs’ comes to mind).