Who can contest a will in QLD?

The question of who can contest a will in QLD depends ultimately on a number of factors; mainly the domicile of the deceased, the location of the deceased estate and assets, and the category of the person contesting a will.

Can anyone contest a will? 

The most important factors regarding who can contest a will are:

1. The ‘domicile’ of the deceased person (i.e. the place that the deceased person considered ‘home’); and
2. The location of the deceased person’s estate and assets.

The location of the deceased person and their estate is important because it determines the laws applicable to the matter, and the proper place for it to be determined. 

This is due to each Australian State and Territory having different laws and regulations around who can contest a will.

Contesting in QLD

For example, a South Australian court is hardly the appropriate place to determine further provision for a deceased Queenslander, whose assets were all based in Queensland. In those circumstances, the appropriate laws and courts would be Queensland’s.

Who can contest a will in QLD?

Regarding who can contest a will in QLD, there are three main eligible categories as specified in the Succession Act 1981, under Part 4 – Family Provision.  Those categories are:

The Deceased’s Spouse

Under Queensland succession law, a spouse can make a claim from the estate of their deceased spouse. “Spouse” includes:

• The husband or wife of the deceased person;
• The de facto partner (or partners) — including ame-sex couples — of the deceased person; and
• The registered partner of the deceased person.

Additionally, there can be more than one spouse for a deceased person. For example, it is possible for a person to be in a de facto relationship with a partner, whilst remaining married to another person.

The Deceased’s Child

Queensland law enables the child of a deceased person to contest the will and make a claim. The child is not limited to biological children, but includes all of the following:

• Natural (biological) children;
• Adopted children; and
• Stepchildren

While a child of the deceased person is eligible to make a claim from the estate, the parent-child relationship alone does not mean that a claim will be successful.

Speak to our QLD estate litigation lawyers who will consider all relevant factors, in considering and advising you on the merits of your potential family provision claim.

The Deceased’s Dependant

The Succession Act 1981 (Qld) also permits a “dependant” of the deceased person to make a claim from the estate.  To be a dependant, the claimant must be:

1. “wholly or substantially maintained or supported” by the deceased person at the time of their death; and
2. Also, be either:
   1. A parent of the deceased;
   2. The surviving parent of a child, under the age of 18, of the deceased person; or
   3. A person under the age of 18 years.

Abiding by time frames when disputing a will

There are also specific timeframes within which your further provision claim must be notified to the executors, and filed with the court.  If you are considering contesting a will, our lawyers are able to advise in more detail based on your specific circumstances.

The above information relates to Queensland. However, our wills and estate team also have experience with and can advise on family provision matters in other Australian States and Territories. Please contact us to discuss your potential claim.

This publication is for information only and is not legal advice. You should obtain advice that is specific to your circumstances and not rely on this publication as legal advice. If there are any issues you would like us to advise you on arising from this publication, please let us know.

Liability limited by a scheme approved under professional standards legislation (personal Injury Work exempted).

Written by Thomas Ashton – Senior Associate.