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In the October 2016 issue of the NSW Law Society Journal, a matter handled by Watkins Tapsell was profiled. The matter, Estate of Polykarpou; Re a Charity [2016] NSWSC 409, dealt with the issue of what happens when a charitable gift within a Will fails because the charity receiving the gift no longer exists. The

When can you distribute assets? One of the most common questions asked in relation to deceased estates concerns when an executor can distribute the estate assets to beneficiaries. Beneficiaries are, understandably, always eager to receive their interest in the estate and executors are eager to finalise their duties as quickly and efficiently as possible. Despite

What is the point of having a Will? As Estate Planning Lawyers, We are sometimes asked “What is the point of having a Will when they seem to be able to be successfully challenged in court these days?” We are often involved with Estate Disputes where Estate Plans have not been put in place or

Executor’s Duties. It is the primary duty of the Executor of a deceased estate to collect the estate assets, pay the estate debts and distribute the net estate to the beneficiaries in accordance with the Will in a timely fashion. Sometimes the executor’s ability to do this is hindered if there are Will Disputes like