Succession law explained
Stieg Larsson who wrote the novel The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo; died in 2004 (before the novel was published) without a Will. Larsson & Eva Gabrielsson, his companion of 32 years, and collaborator had never married. Swedish intestacy law did not recognize the relationship therefore Gabrielsson did not inherit the rights to his work or …
Continue reading "Dying Intestate is like kicking a Hornets nest"
Mr A (“A”) was a patient admitted to the emergency department of a hospital, suffering from septic shock and respiratory failure. Although all appropriate treatment had been given to A, his condition deteriorated, he developed renal failure and was being kept alive by mechanical ventilation and kidney dialysis. At this stage the hospital became aware …
An “Advance Care Directive” (also referred to as a Living Will) is a document stating the specific medical treatment that the patient does or does not wish to receive. In order to make an Advance Care Directive a person must have legal capacity, and the document must set out the medical treatment that they want …
In September 2009, Lamar Odom married Khloé Kardashian. As is usual with the Kardashian family their wedding was featured on Keeping Up with the Kardashians, a reality show featuring members of the Kardashian family. During the course of their marriage Odom also featured on the show and a spin off program. He became a household …
Continue reading "Khloe Kardashian, health care proxy for Lamar Odom?"
An entail or “fee tail” operates like a will that sets up a primogeniture system for real estate. Entail restricts the sale or inheritance of an estate and prevents the property from being sold, or left by will, to anyone other than a pre-determined heir. The primogeniture system, meant the eldest son inherits the title, …
When Kurt Cobain, front man of Nirvana, died following a shotgun blast to his head, at age 27, he left behind a Widow and small child but no Will. A Will would have named an executor who could exercise control over his estate, however the laws of intestacy meant that Cobain’s widow, Courtney Love, with …
Some people don’t like the expression "crazy cat lady" as there is not an equivalent masculine epithet but as was previously discussed there are people who are very attached to their animal companions, and as with many things if people wish to leave money to their pets the richer they are, the more outlandish it …
Continue reading "Going to the Dogs? – Animals as beneficiaries part II"
As we have discussed before, today is always the right time to start planning for your future. It is often said that young singles are least likely to consider life insurance, income protection and totally and permanently incapacitated cover (TPD). Although income protection may be of limited value to young singles, life insurance and TPD …
Continue reading "Retirement planning, Superannuation and Singles"
As we often explain you can do with your estate what ever you wish however if you do not make a valid will your wishes may not be complied with. When Maria Assunta, the widow of a property tycoon who had no children or living relatives died at the age of 94, she left her …
Continue reading "Your pet as a beneficiary, not as strange as you might think."
It has been reported that the largest type of family unit in Australia is a single person living alone. If you don’t have children or obvious heirs, documenting your wishes and making them accessible will help ensure those wishes are fulfilled should something happen to you.In some circumstances people without children need to plan more …
Continue reading "Single, and think you don’t need a will..better rethink that."