Separation is often accompanied by urgent decisions about housing, children, and finances. But there is another category of decisions — quiet, administrative, and often overlooked — that can have serious consequences for your loved ones if something unexpected happens. In Queensland, separation alone does not automatically update your legal affairs. Unless you take active steps, your former partner may still inherit your assets, control your finances, or receive your share of

When drafting a will, many people believe that as long as their intentions are written down, their wishes will be followed. Unfortunately, a recent Queensland Supreme Court decision shows that this assumption can be dangerously wrong. What happened in this case? In Re Negrean; Borbil v Borbil [2025] QSC 66, a woman prepared her own will without legal assistance. Her intentions seemed clear to her — she wanted one of her sons to continue living in her home. However, the way sh

A Testamentary Dispute Highlighting the Risks of Ambiguous Will Drafting A current Supreme Court dispute in Brisbane has brought renewed attention to a critical issue in estate planning: uncertain beneficiaries in Queensland wills. The case concerns a $2 million charitable bequest made by late arts patron Glenn Cooke, who directed in a 1993 will that funds be left to“a significant Queensland contemporary dance company.” Two organisations—Queensland Ballet and the Australasian

When it comes to estate planning, many people are tempted to save money by using a “will kit” or online template. But a recent Queensland Supreme Court decision is a powerful reminder that what seems cheap now can become incredibly expensive later. What happened in this case? In Sorati & Anor v Sorati [2025] QSC 14, a 94-year-old man prepared a will using a DIY will kit instead of seeing a lawyer. On the surface, the document appeared valid. It was signed and witnessed. It di

When someone passes away, emotions often run high — particularly if a family member or dependant believes they haven’t been properly provided for under a will (or where there is no will at all). In Queensland, the law does allow eligible people to make a family provision claim, but strict time limits apply. If those deadlines are missed, your right to make a claim may be lost altogether. This is why it’s important to get advice early. What is a Family Provision Claim? A famil

Being appointed as an executor is both an honour and a responsibility. For many people, it is a role they take on while grieving the loss of a loved one—often without any prior experience in probate or estate administration. In Queensland, executors carry legal responsibilities that extend well beyond “sorting out paperwork”. At Sarinas Legal, we regularly assist executors to confidently administer deceased estates, comply with their legal obligations, and avoid personal risk

When a loved one passes away, the distribution of their estate is generally guided by the instructions they leave behind in their will....

The prospect of drafting your own Will, without the perceived hassle and expense of involving a Lawyer, can seem enticing for many...

In Queensland, as in many jurisdictions, the importance of having a legally valid will cannot be overstated. A will is more than just a...

When planning for the future, it's crucial to consider not just assets and wills, but also who will manage your affairs should you become...

In this video, I reveal 4 successful strategies you can use to minimise the risk of an inheritance dispute after you pass away.

In the case of Temple v Temple [2023] QDC 145, Mark Temple sought a portion of his late father's estate, which predominantly benefited...

We acted for a deserving client who brought a Family Provision Claim against the Estate of his late Mum. Whilst the Estate was quite...

We acted for a client who was in terminally ill and needed her Will drafted on an urgent basis. We attended the client’s residence to...

Our client was in hospital, both mentally and physically incapacitated. In his younger days, our client worked for the local council and...