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.

Get in touch today.

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

Acting for parties to resist an application for appointment of financial managers and guardians to an individual.

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 Carneys, 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.

Arthur Carney - Carneys Team

Arthur Carney

PARTNER

Highly experienced in Estate Disputes and drafting and executing estate documents

Steve Titus - Carneys Team

Stephen Titus

special counsel

Experienced in drafting and executing estate documents

Nathan Wrench - Carneys Team

Nathan Wrench

PARTNER

Experienced in Estate Disputes and drafting and executing estate documents

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

LawSocietyAccSpecialist

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.

Peter Thiel

Special Counsel

Corporate and Commercial Specialist

Peter Thiel

Special Counsel

Peter is a solicitor of Carneys Lawyers and is part of the Corporate/Commercial team providing General Corporate and Commercial advice as well as specialised Corporate Legal Counsel Services

QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor of Arts (Honours)

University of Sydney

Bachelor of Laws

University of Sydney

Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice

College of Law

Peter has a wide range of legal skills having run a large litigation practice in his early years as a solicitor. He has also dealt with Employment and Industrial Law and Sports and Entertainment Law. More recently Peter has specialised in providing Corporate Legal Counsel Services for a number of small to medium sized Companies. This has exposed Peter to a wide range of corporate and commercial matters and he is experienced with providing advice on matters which commonly arise in companies on a day to day basis.

His experience covers areas including:

  • Commercial Contract Advice and Drafting
  • Commercial Contract negotiation and Interpretation
  • Industrial Matters
  • General litigation
  • Stakeholder Issues
  • Purchase and Sale of Company Assets
  • Purchase and sale of Business
  • Liquor Licencing
  • Compliance with Statutory matters including liquor licencing and gaming
  • Corporate Governance Matters
  • Corporate Counsel advice

commercial contract drafting, negotiation and interpretation, industrial matters, litigation, stakeholder issues, purchase and sale of company assets, purchase and sale of businesses, compliance with statutory matters including liquor licencing and gaming, and corporate governance matters. Peter has recently held a contract position of Chief Operating Officer/Corporate Legal Counsel for a large group. This experience ensures that the advice he provides can balance commercial and legal considerations. Peter is able to take on individual matters in a wide range of areas as well as provide Corporate Legal Counsel solutions for companies on a casual as-needs basis or on a retainer basis.

Stephen Titus

Special Counsel

Specialises 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

Law Society Accredited Specialist

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

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

LawSocietyAccSpecialist

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

LawSocietyAccSpecialist

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

Law Society Accredited Specialist

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

LawSocietyAccSpecialist

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

LawSocietyAccSpecialist

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

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

LawSocietyAccSpecialist

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.

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