Wills and Estates
OUR EXPERIENCE
Carneys Lawyers have advised clients regarding wills and estates for over 60 years, and as such, we understand the precise intricacies; estate planning, probate, estate administration dealing with contested estates, disputes wills and family provision.
Our extensive experience gives us the ability to provide our clients with effective and efficient advice concerning all aspects of wills and estate planning and disputes.
But just as importantly, we understand the emotional toll it takes to deal with the estate of a loved one. We work quickly to ensure that your estate planning, or dispute, is dealt with quickly and fairly, so that your woes are not compounded by ongoing legalities and family tension.
Ultimately, everyone’s estate will go somewhere, and will be managed by someone.
Organising your affairs with estate lawyers Sydney will ensure that your wishes are honoured and no one is left in the cold. Failure to do so might exacerbate the pain of your passing, and your affairs may be managed by a court or tribunal who neither understood what or who you wanted to provide for.
It’s a simple process now. And it makes for a much more simple process later.
Our Work
Acting for beneficiaries of an estate to obtain urgent interim relief restraining the sale of estate property by a party purporting to exercise power of attorney.
Estate Dispute
Advising high net worth individuals on structuring complex estates.
Estate Structuring
Guardianship Dispute
Services
Wills and estates planning
What is a Will?
A Will is a legal document that plans and sets out the distribution of a deceased individual’s estate. This is an area of law that can be complex and nuanced. Drafting a will requires a meticulous approach, and it is one we have perfected over decades of practice. An invalid Will can cause many issues later on; family tension, Supreme Court litigation, unnecessary stress, expense and so on. At Carney’s when we make a Will, we make it well.
Why create a Will?
- To clearly and specifically determine how your estate is to be distributed
- To appoint future guardians and trustees for the care of your children
- To simplify the process of those desired to inherit your assets
- To appoint an executor to manage your estate affairs
- To avoid requiring the acquisition of probate and other legal challenges
- To reduce taxation costs in relation to your estate.
Is making a Will difficult?
No. Let us show you how simple it can be.
Probate
When a person dies, it is often necessary to obtain probate from the Supreme Court of New South Wales. Carneys’ probate lawyers assist clients every day in obtaining a grant of probate and administering the deceased person’s assets. In more complex cases – such as where there is a dispute concerning the grant of probate – we provide clients with expert advice and strategic advocacy to obtain the best possible result.
Wills and estates disputes
What if I need to dispute a Will?
Sadly, there are instances when you feel as though provision has not been made for you in the division of an estate. This can often be a painful process to navigate by yourself, and conversations are often fraught with volatility and emotion.
Our Will dispute lawyers will be able to clearly articulate your claim which gives you the best opportunity to negotiate a settlement or, if necessary, persuasively argue your case in Court. Carney’s estate dispute lawyers will help you find a scenario that is equitable and fair. Our long history of navigating through such cases makes us among the most experienced Will dispute lawyers Sydney.
Financial management and guardianship
Our lawyers advise and appear for clients in financial management and guardianship proceedings in NCAT. Disputes concerning financial management and guardianship frequently involve complex personal dynamics, often between family members. We are experienced at assisting clients navigate this legally and emotionally challenging environment, including at informal settlement conferences and at formal NCAT conciliations and hearings.
Wallace Meakes
PARTNER
Property Law Specialist
Stephen Titus
PARTNER
Specializes in Commercial Litigation and Commercial Work
Arthur Carney
PARTNER
Leader of the Commercial Litigation and Dispute Resolution team
Arthur Carney
PARTNER
Leader of the Commercial Litigation and Dispute Resolution team
QUALIFICATIONS
Bachelor of Laws University of Sydney
Master of Laws
London School of Economics and Political Science
ACCREDITATIONS
Accredited Specialist in Commercial Litigation
- t. (02) 8226 5555
- e. acarney@carneys.com.au
Arthur leads the Commercial Litigation and Dispute Resolution team and has extensive experience in the New South Wales Supreme Court, Court of Appeal, Federal Court and High Court. He was admitted to practice as a lawyer in 1977. In November 1984, he was admitted to the degree of Master of Laws by the London School of Economics and Political Science (University of London).
In September 1995 Arthur was certified as an Accredited Specialist in Commercial Litigation by the Law Society of New South Wales. There are 101 Accredited Specialists in the field of Commercial Litigation, selected from over 32,000 legal practitioners in New South Wales. He is the Chairman of the Law Society Specialist Accreditation Commercial Litigation Committee. This Committee sets and marks the examination and assessment process for lawyers seeking specialist accreditation in the field of commercial litigation.
Arthur’s areas of practice include:
- Contractual Disputes
- Corporations – Directors & Officers Duties and Liabilities
- Corporate Recovery & Insolvency
- Property Disputes
- Trade Practices
- Class Actions
- Insurance and Common Law Litigation
- Wills and Succession Act Disputes
- Mediation
- Arthur has extensive skills in the organisation and management of large and complex litigation.
In December 1998 Arthur was appointed as a District Court Arbitrator and in 2008 he was appointed by the Supreme Court of NSW to the panel of solicitors supervising Anton Piller Search Orders. He served on the Law Society of NSW Professional Conduct Committee for 10 years.
Wallace Meakes
PARTNER
Property Law Specialist
Wallace Meakes
PARTNER
Wally is an accredited Property Law specialist, his practice covers all aspects of residential and commercial property work.
QUALIFICATIONS
Bachelor of Laws University of Sydney
Bachelor of Commerce
University of New South Wales
ACCREDITATIONS
Accredited Specialist in Property Law
Wally is accredited by the Law Society as an Accredited Specialist in Property Law. He has developed a broad solid base of clients, both individual and corporate.
Wally is experienced in acting in matters involving the acquisition and sale of property including strata title, torrens title, leasehold and company title. In addition, he acts for developers and investors in relation to acquisition of sites and development of the properties. He also acts in relation to many lease transactions, both for the landlord and tenant, and is retained by a number of overseas clients and corporations including MGM.
Wally has provided advice to many individuals and corporations over the last 41 years, accumulating a wealth of knowledge in the commercial and property area. He has chaired a number of property seminars conducted by the College of Law, providing seminars to property professionals in large corporations including CBRE Richard Ellis.
As Property Partner, Wally has a strong team of professionals to assist him to achieve a cost-effective service to clients to achieve their commercial expectations with expediency and efficiency. Wally joined Carneys in 1981 and is now enjoying his 41st year with the firm. He was admitted as a partner with the firm in 1985. In addition to Property Law, he also practises in the area of Wills, Probate and Succession and has considerable experience and expertise in the area of Commercial Business Law which includes sale of business.
Stephen Titus
Special Counsel
Specializes in Commercial Litigation and Commercial Work
Stephen Titus
Partner
Stephen has been qualified for over 30 years and specializes in commercial litigation and commercial work.
QUALIFICATIONS
SAB 1978 –University of Sydney
ACCREDITATIONS
Accredited Specialist in Commercial Litigation
Stephen’s practice includes a broad equity and commercial practice acting for Plaintiffs and Defendants in courts and tribunals where he often appears as advocate and otherwise engages very good counsel to act for clients.
Stephen’s areas of practice include:
- Building & Strata Disputes
- Representing solicitors & barristers in consumer and disciplinary allegations and complaints by the Law Society, Bar Association and Legal Services Commissioner and in Tribunal proceedings against practitioners
- Contractual Disputes
- Trade Practices
- Insolvency & Debt Recovery
- Supreme Court Equity Actions
- Probate, Wills & Succession Act Disputes
- Professional Negligence Actions
- Defamation
- Commercial Advice and Drafting
- Common Law and Insurance Claims
- Acting for Councils in Debt Recovery and advice on commercial arrangements and disputes
Stephen will think outside of the square and consider alternatives to litigation with cost effective strategies. His strengths include focusing on the issues and evidence required, gathering that evidence, working with appropriate counsel, considering settlement or getting the best result from the litigation. Stephen joined Carney Lawyers in 2002. In October 2004 he was certified as an Accredited Specialist in Commercial Litigation by the Law Society of New South Wales. He is a past Member of the Law Society Dispute Resolution Committee and Litigation Law and Practice Committee.
Arthur Carney
PARTNER
Leader of the Commercial Litigation and Dispute Resolution team
QUALIFICATIONS
Bachelor of Laws University of Sydney
Master of Laws
London School of Economics and Political Science
ACCREDITATIONS
Accredited Specialist in Commercial Litigation
- t. (02) 8226 5555
- e. acarney@carneys.com.au
Arthur leads the Commercial Litigation and Dispute Resolution team and has extensive experience in the New South Wales Supreme Court, Court of Appeal, Federal Court and High Court. He was admitted to practice as a lawyer in 1977. In November 1984, he was admitted to the degree of Master of Laws by the London School of Economics and Political Science (University of London).
In September 1995 Arthur was certified as an Accredited Specialist in Commercial Litigation by the Law Society of New South Wales. There are 101 Accredited Specialists in the field of Commercial Litigation, selected from over 32,000 legal practitioners in New South Wales. He is the Chairman of the Law Society Specialist Accreditation Commercial Litigation Committee. This Committee sets and marks the examination and assessment process for lawyers seeking specialist accreditation in the field of commercial litigation.
Arthur’s areas of practice include:
- Contractual Disputes
- Corporations – Directors & Officers Duties and Liabilities
- Corporate Recovery & Insolvency
- Property Disputes
- Trade Practices
- Class Actions
- Insurance and Common Law Litigation
- Wills and Succession Act Disputes
- Mediation
- Arthur has extensive skills in the organisation and management of large and complex litigation.
In December 1998 Arthur was appointed as a District Court Arbitrator and in 2008 he was appointed by the Supreme Court of NSW to the panel of solicitors supervising Anton Piller Search Orders. He served on the Law Society of NSW Professional Conduct Committee for 10 years.
Wallace Meakes
PARTNER
Wally is an accredited Property Law specialist, his practice covers all aspects of residential and commercial property work.
QUALIFICATIONS
Bachelor of Laws University of Sydney
Bachelor of Commerce
University of New South Wales
ACCREDITATIONS
Accredited Specialist in Property Law
Wally is accredited by the Law Society as an Accredited Specialist in Property Law. He has developed a broad solid base of clients, both individual and corporate.
Wally is experienced in acting in matters involving the acquisition and sale of property including strata title, torrens title, leasehold and company title. In addition, he acts for developers and investors in relation to acquisition of sites and development of the properties. He also acts in relation to many lease transactions, both for the landlord and tenant, and is retained by a number of overseas clients and corporations including MGM.
Wally has provided advice to many individuals and corporations over the last 41 years, accumulating a wealth of knowledge in the commercial and property area. He has chaired a number of property seminars conducted by the College of Law, providing seminars to property professionals in large corporations including CBRE Richard Ellis.
As Property Partner, Wally has a strong team of professionals to assist him to achieve a cost-effective service to clients to achieve their commercial expectations with expediency and efficiency. Wally joined Carneys in 1981 and is now enjoying his 41st year with the firm. He was admitted as a partner with the firm in 1985. In addition to Property Law, he also practises in the area of Wills, Probate and Succession and has considerable experience and expertise in the area of Commercial Business Law which includes sale of business.
Stephen Titus
Partner
Stephen has been qualified for over 30 years and specializes in commercial litigation and commercial work.
QUALIFICATIONS
SAB 1978 –University of Sydney
ACCREDITATIONS
Society of New South Wales Practising Certificate no. 970541
Stephen’s practice includes a broad equity and commercial practice acting for Plaintiffs and Defendants in courts and tribunals where he often appears as advocate and otherwise engages very good counsel to act for clients.
Stephen’s areas of practice include:
- Building & Strata Disputes
- Representing solicitors & barristers in consumer and disciplinary allegations and complaints by the Law Society, Bar Association and Legal Services Commissioner and in Tribunal proceedings against practitioners
- Contractual Disputes
- Trade Practices
- Insolvency & Debt Recovery
- Supreme Court Equity Actions
- Probate, Wills & Succession Act Disputes
- Professional Negligence Actions
- Defamation
- Commercial Advice and Drafting
- Common Law and Insurance Claims
- Acting for Councils in Debt Recovery and advice on commercial arrangements and disputes
Stephen will think outside of the square and consider alternatives to litigation with cost effective strategies. His strengths include focusing on the issues and evidence required, gathering that evidence, working with appropriate counsel, considering settlement or getting the best result from the litigation. Stephen joined Carney Lawyers in 2002. In October 2004 he was certified as an Accredited Specialist in Commercial Litigation by the Law Society of New South Wales. He is a past Member of the Law Society Dispute Resolution Committee and Litigation Law and Practice Committee.
