Probate and the Briginshaw principle

The Briginshaw principle is derived from obiter remarks of Dixon J in Briginshaw v Briginshaw [1938] HCA 34; 60 CLR 336; To be reasonably satisfied of a matter the Court may be affected by the “seriousness of an allegation made, the inherent unlikelihood of an occurrence of a given description, or the gravity of the …

Intestacy, a statutory demand & the sole director

An application for special administration ad colligenda bona defuncti, is made to protect the estate, or particular estate assets, where the delay in obtaining a normal grant will endanger them. A grant of administration ad colligenda bona defuncti may be necessary for estates involving businesses, or professional practices conducted by sole practitioners, which may be …

The rule in Parker v Felgate

In most cases an executor propounding a will pleads that at the time of execution the deceased had testamentary capacity. However, if a testator has lost capacity by the time the will is executed, the rule in Parker v Felgate (1883) L.R.8P.D.171  provides that it is enough that the testator understands they are executing a will for which …