Join the Wills and Estates Conference 2025 and seasoned specialists who will share their experience and expertise. Stay up to date on recent cases, developments in equitable estoppel, and the rule of forfeiture. Strategise best practices for dealing with informal wills, preparing Deeds of Agreement, and which road to take when succession crosses over into other areas of law. Learn the technical and regulatory nitty gritty of Division 296 taxes and restructuring superannuation for tax efficiency in estate planning – and what to do death strikes a party in family law proceedings.  This plus more at the Wills and Estates Conference 2025.

Presenters

Darlene Skennar KC, Barrister, Inns of Court
Darlene Skennar KC took silk in 2017. She has a Bachelor of Laws (Hons) (QIT) and a Master of Laws (QUT). Darlene was the associate to Justice Moynihan of the Supreme Court. Darlene was a part-time tutor at the Queensland University of Technology for a number of years. Darlene has been in full time practice as a barrister since 1989. Darlene has a wide estate litigation experience. Darlene is a former member of the Pharmacists Board of Queensland and the Surveyors Board of Queensland.


Stephanie Duggan, Senior Associate, Resolve Estate Law
Stephanie has practised in wills, estates, trusts and guardianship and administration for over 25 years. With a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Arts from the University of Queensland, She is highly experienced in estate litigation and resolution across a broad range of matters including family provision claims, testamentary capacity, issues relating to wills, estates and trusts, as well as administration of financial matters for persons with a legal disability. Stephanie is a member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners and the Queensland Law Society.


Tracey Norris, Director of Superannuation Services, Pitcher Partners
Tracey Norris commenced in public practice over 20 years ago and initially advised small and medium enterprises on taxation and superannuation affairs. This variety of experience allows her to understand the bigger picture when advising clients on superannuation issues and providing commercial outcomes. Having worked with various industries supplying general taxation advice and now specialising in superannuation allows her to provide good strategic outcomes to compliment other advisors. Tracey's demonstrated knowledge and experience in the application of superannuation and taxation laws includes; SMSF compliance and audits; advising on restructure of assets to and from superannuation funds, whether the result of life events or business sales and acquisitions; assisting clients with effective retirement planning strategies; maximising investment opportunities using superannuation structures; writing expert reports for legal counsel in court hearings; and sitting on the compliance committee of a retail fund. Tracey is also a licenced adviser on the Pitcher Partners Australian Financial Service Licence and was a finalist for SMSF Adviser of the year at the Women in Finance Awards in 2022. Professional qualifications and memberships: Bachelor of Commerce (JCU); Advanced Diploma of Financial Services (Superannuation); Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia and New Zealand (CAANZ); CA SMSF Specialist.


Emma Nisbet, Special Counsel, de Groots Wills & Estate Lawyers
Emma is Special Counsel at de Groots and works in the areas of estate administration and planning, with a background in Succession, Corporate, Tax, Superannuation, and Trust Law. Holding a master’s in law from the Queensland University Technology (QUT), Emma was admitted to the Supreme Court of Queensland in November 2008. Emma presents for the Queensland Law Society in the areas of estate planning and will drafting, and is also a guest lecturer at QUT and the Queensland Law Society in various areas of Succession Law.


Kate Varcoe, Special Counsel, de Groots
Kate Varcoe has been practising for over 17 years in estate litigation, estate planning and estate administration. Her clients include high net worth individuals, primary producers, international residents, lawyers, accountants and business owners. Kate has been involved in many high profile estate disputes. She has acted in a range of proceedings relating to the validity of wills, interpretation of wills, Family Provision Applications, removal of executors, trust disputes and disputes concerning Enduring Powers of Attorney, among others. Before joining the firm, Kate spent several years working in medium to large law firms where she focused on structuring and planning for individuals and commercial enterprises and estate litigation. In more recent years, Kate has worked predominantly in estate litigation. Through Kate’s breadth of experience, she is able to provide de Groots’ clients with holistic solutions to their litigation, administration and financial planning needs, while understanding that each client’s circumstances are always unique. In 2019 Kate was recognised by legal benchmarking website, Doyle’s Guide, as one of Queensland’s Recommended Wills, Estates & Succession Planning Lawyers. In 2021 and 2022 Kate was also recommended by Doyle's as one of Queensland's Recommended Litigation Lawyers.


Charles Wilson, Barrister, Inns of Court
Charles Wilson is a barrister-at-law of the Supreme Courts of Queensland, New South Wales and the ACT. Charles is an expert in Private Client Law (including trusts and wills and estates). Admitted initially as a solicitor of the Supreme Court of New South Wales in 1988, and as a barrister in 2001, Charles brings a breadth and depth of experience in significant estate dispute resolution.


Prue Poole, Director, Cornford-Scott Lawyers
Prue Poole was admitted as a solicitor in 2002 and qualified as the highest achiever in Specialist Accreditation in Succession Law in 2011. Prue is currently a Director of Cornford-Scott Lawyers after being a partner at McInnes Wilson Lawyers for over five years. As an accredited specialist, Prue has experience in all areas of succession law with particular expertise in Estate Administration and Estate Litigation. Prue advises executors, beneficiaries, trustee companies and other law firms on succession matters and is often appointed by the Supreme Court of Queensland as the independent administrator of deceased estates. Prue has consistently been recognised for her expertise in Best Lawyers Australia and Doyle’s Guide.


Kelly Gatehouse, Principal Lawyer & Director, Nurture Law
Kelly is the founder and director of Nurture Law, a firm specialising in all aspects of Estate Litigation, Probate / Estate Administration and Estate Planning. Kelly is a collaboratively trained lawyer, and she has also completed a Master of Laws (Majoring in Wills and Estates). Kelly is listed in The Best Lawyers in Australia for Trusts and Estates (2020-2024). Kelly has been recognised in Doyles Guide as a leading Queensland Wills and Estate Litigation Lawyer (2022). Kelly is a Full Member of the QLD Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners and was a committee member for six years.


Melinda Ranson, Special Counsel, Cooper Grace Ward
Melinda is a special counsel in the private client team at Cooper Grace Ward. A succession, trusts and dispute resolution expert, she specialises on when an estate plan ‘goes wrong’. Melinda was recognised by the Doyles Guide as a Rising Star in Wills, Estates and Succession 2024, 2021 and 2017, and she was a finalist for Lawyers Weekly’s “30 Under 30” Award in 2019 and 2017.


Anand Shah, Barrister, Brisbane Chambers
Anand Shah joined the Queensland Bar over 20 years ago after practising as a solicitor for eleven years. Anand’s practice areas include commercial litigation, administrative law, wills & estates, defamation, and human rights. Anand has appeared as counsel in the High Court, the Queensland Court of Appeal, the Federal Court, as trial counsel in all State Courts, the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia and many Tribunals (including QCAT). Anand has acted as a mediator in a variety of disputes including wills & estates, contract, professional negligence, insolvency and personal injuries. Anand has been elected by the Queensland Bar, on many occasions, to serve on its Bar Council (the Bar's peak executive body). Anand is a Past President of the Asian Australian Lawyers Association (AALA) (Qld Branch). AALA promotes and encourages cultural diversity within the legal profession. Anand is a past chair of QUT’s Learning Potential Fund. That fund supports socio-economically disadvantaged students across all QUT faculties. Anand sits on the Qld Chapter Committee of the Australian Institute of Administrative Law. Anand has co-authored Personal Injuries Litigation Queensland (LexisNexis) for over 25 years. Anand tries to enjoy many things outside of the law : road trips with his wife, music, art, reading (particularly fiction and cookbooks), picnicking, catching up with friends, watching classic cinema and just chilling.


Karen Gaston, Barrister, George Street Chambers
Karen has experience conducting complex, lengthy litigation usually with the overlay of an emotional family dispute. In particular she has substantial experience running family provision applications, litigation about the validity of wills (sometimes called solemn form probate litigation), applications concerning the construction of wills, Beddoe applications, power of attorney disputes, and equity litigation involving unconscionable conduct and undue influence. Karen is a Queensland Law Society accredited specialist in succession law. Doyle’s Guide recognises Karen as “Preeminent” in the Wills and Estate Litigation Lawyers category in 2020 and 2021. Karen works as a team with a solicitor, to represent a client. She does not accept briefs directly from the general public. Karen can, however, provide a list of referrals to highly regarded solicitors who can assist members of the public directly.