Position: Partner
Rebecca has dedicated her legal career to estate planning and succession law and is Canberra’s only Accredited Specialist in Wills and Estates law.
Her passion is estate planning and enjoys helping clients, regardless of their circumstances, achieve peace of mind in regard to their estate planning needs. Rebecca works with each of her clients to identify their individual risks and objectives, advise on their options, develop an estate planning strategy and put in place clear, plain English Wills, Enduring Powers of Attorney, Superannuation Death Benefit Nominations and other estate planning documents.
As an expert in estate planning, Rebecca has advised many small to medium business owners, multi-generation family businesses, professionals and high net worth individuals. Rebecca also ensures that all associated entities such as companies, trusts and self-managed superannuation funds are encapsulated as part of a holistic estate plan. In the course of advising on estate planning, Rebecca works closely with her clients’ accountants, financial planners and other advisors to ensure the best outcomes for their mutual clients.
Rebecca’s unique combination of legal expertise and a sensitive and pragmatic approach means she is well placed to assist clients with more complex family circumstances including blended families, families with disabled children, clients with at-risk or vulnerable beneficiaries and clients who are concerned about potential claims against their estate.
Rebecca has extensive experience in probate and deceased estate administration, calmly and expertly helping families navigate the legal and practical steps following the death of a loved one. Rebecca skillfully deals with complex estate issues including applications for Letters of Administration on intestacy, applications for Probate in solemn form, applications where executors have renounced or are unable to administer the estate, informal Wills, and lost or damaged Wills.
She also has deep experience in acting for executors and claimants in a wide array of estate disputes including family provision claims, when the testator’s capacity to make a Will is in doubt, construction claims when the interpretation of the Will is unclear and when executors and beneficiaries are unable to agree. Rebecca applies her high-level technical skills to achieve client-focused outcomes through negotiation, mediation and, if necessary, court-based litigation.
Rebecca is considered one of the leading practitioners on elder law in the Canberra region. She strives to promote the dignity of the older persons and advises on issues relating to Enduring Powers of Attorney, guardianship and management orders, elder abuse, capacity concerns, granny flat agreements and family care arrangements.
She is a current member of the ACT Law Society’s Elder Law and Succession Law Committee and was the Chair of the Committee between 2015 and 2019. Rebecca previously represented the ACT on the Law Council of Australia’s National Elder Law and Succession Law Committee. Rebecca has regularly been recognised by her legal peers as a Pre-Eminent lawyer in estate planning and estate litigation through Doyle’s Guide.
Qualifications
Accredited Specialist in Wills and Estate Law (Law Society NSW)
Master of Applied Laws, Wills & Estates (College of Law, Sydney)
Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Arts (Australian National University)
Awards
Preeminent Wills, Estates & Succession Planning Lawyer, ACT 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016 (Doyle’s Guide to the Australian Legal Profession)
Preeminent Wills & Estates Litigation Lawyer, ACT 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017 (Doyle’s Guide to the Australian Legal Profession)
Recommended Wills & Estates Litigation Lawyer, Australia 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017 (Doyle’s Guide to the Australian Legal Profession)
Recommended Wills, Estates and Succession Planning Lawyer, Australia, 2018, 2017