About the Book

Richard Williams and Sam McCullough are authors of Statutory Will Applications: A Practical Guide, published by LexisNexis Butterworths.  This is the only practitioners’ text in Australia dedicated to this fast expanding new area of legal practice.

The text provides a comprehensive commentary that covers:

  • The development of the Statutory Wills jurisdiction in Australia
  • The statutory framework, in all States and Territories
  • The situations in which a Statutory Will may be required
  • Acting for the applicant – the steps involved
  • Acting for other interested persons
  • The inter-relationship between Statutory Wills and family provision
  • Costs
  • A comprehensive review of case law in all States and Territories
  • Extracts from the relevant legislation and procedural rules
  • Precedents
  • Case studies

The book provides practical assistance not only to lawyers but also to accountants and financial planners advising private clients in relation to estate planning and tax planning.

It is available from LexisNexis in hard copy and eBook format, RRP $135.  Buy Now

The book has been welcomed by leading experts in succession law and elder law:

  • Charles Rowland

    Practitioners who work with statutory wills will find this book essential.  The principles, the rules and the practice of each jurisdiction are right there. See the full review

  • Rebecca Treston QC

    The text is a most worthwhile addition to the libraries of any court, law firm or barristers’ chambers, but importantly is a must-have for practitioners seeking to practice in this expanding jurisdiction. See the full review

  • Gino dal Pont

    Succession law practitioners will be benefited by consulting Statutory Will Applications: A Practical Guide, as the only work devoted solely to that topic.  Its overall logical structure, easily accessible nature, and practical focus augurs well for its widespread use. See the full review

  • Jenny McMillan

    The incidence of dementia among elderly Australians is one factor that is likely to lead to more and more applications.  This book will assist practitioners in identifying circumstances where an application for a Court-authorised will may be appropriate. Retirement and Estate Planning Bulletin, February 2014 See the full review

  • Tina Cockburn

    Statutory Will Applications: A Practical Guide provides a thoughtful and comprehensive account of a growing area of the law which will be essential reading for not only general and specialist succession law and estate planning legal practitioners, but also other professional advisors practising in the area of estate planning such as accountants, financial planners and also academics and students of the law in this area. STEP Journal, April 2014 See the full review