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Opposing or contesting a grant of probate – who can?

Opposing a grant of probate or contesting the validity of a will is restricted by the law to certain categories of people.  You must have what the law calls “standing“.  And you only have standing (or locus standi) to oppose a probate application or contest the validity of a will if you have a legal interest in the estate of a deceased person.  It is important to be able to show that the interest is enough so as to entitle you to oppose the grant of probate being applied for; and so have standing to bring an action disputing the validity of the will.

In family provision contests for example only those persons who “eligible” under the law are entitled to make an application.

The underlying policy is as the New South Wales Supreme Court said: “Courts limit challenges to wills to persons with a proper interest in doing so.”1

On another occasion the Court explained that it is a “serious matter that a person without standing (ie having no interest in the estate) be allowed to contest its administration, because the outcome may be utterly futile.” authorities cited therein.1

Legal authority often cited has held that  “A person will have a sufficient interest if (they have) a right “which will be affected by the grant”.2 That is a person can bring a court action if their rights will be affected by the granting of probate application.The costs of probate litigation are high.  It should not be assumed that a party’s costs in a probate litigation matter will automatically be paid out of the deceased estate. 

What is a sufficient and relevant interest?

In answer to the question of how the sufficiency of the interest is be determined, the Court of Appeal of the Supreme Court of Victoria has said it was:

“..by reference to the general body of probate law; and according to that law an interest sufficient to entitle a person to object to a grant must be some right of that person which will be affected by that interest.” 4

Who has an “interest” at law for opposing probate?

You have a legal interest tin opposing probate if:

  • you are a beneficiary under the last will, that is you are entitled to take a share in the deceased’s estate;
  • you  are a beneficiary under an earlier will of the deceased;
  • you would become entitled to a share of the estate under the laws of intestacy if no will was left;
  • the deceased estate owes you money, ie you are a creditor.

If you were left out of the will or you feel you were not left with adequate provision you can challenge the will under family provision legislation subject to those rules on eligibility.

Opposing a grant – receiving a benefit under a previous will

An older lady made a will in 2013.  She revoked all previous wills, appointed a close friend as executor and left all to her.  She died a week later. 

opposing probate, oppose a grant of probate, contest a will, legal interest, deceased estate, beneficiary, personal property, legacy, bequest

The executor applied for probate of this will but did not notify the two parties who had filed caveats (see below) against the taking out of probate.1  One of the caveators was another friend of the deceased. Both were beneficiaries under an earlier will made by the deceased in 2004.

The friend claimed that he had an interest in opposing the grant because his rights under the earlier would be affected by the grant of the last 2013 will. This was because he had an interest as a beneficiary under the 2004 will. In that will the deceased had bequeathed shares of her jewellery and personal possessions to her friends including him.

Contesting the validity of the will

The friend sought to challenge the validity of the 2013 will of which the executor was seeking probate. He raised questions of its execution, of the deceased’s capacity, testamentary intention, knowledge and approval at the time of making the will. The trial judge found that each was satisfied.  It was found that the last will was valid and accordingly probate was granted to the executor.1  The judge also held that as the friend had an interest under the earlier will, he had standing to challenge or contest what happened to the last 2013 will in the probate application.

The High Court

However the case ultimately went to the High Court.5 There, the High Court agreed that the trial judge was correct in holding that the friend (the appellant) had an interest in challenging the 2013 Will, because he was a legatee6 under a previous will in 2004.  The Court rejected a submission that he had no interest in challenging the validity of the last 2013 will. They affirmed that a person will have a sufficient interest if they have a right which will be affected by the grant.2

Is a gift of personal property and jewellery a legal “interest”?

As mentioned above, under the earlier will the deceased had bequeathed him a share of her personal property and jewellery. It was submitted for the executor that such a bequest was “too insubstantial to amount to an interest.” 

But the High Court said this must be rejected” because it was based on the wrong assertion that the bequest had no value.” Moreover “It is also legally erroneous to conclude that rights of low monetary value cannot amount to a legal interest.”

Caveat

Caveat is a Latin word meaning “let the person beware”.  It is a written notice filed in the Probate Court.   It is typically in force for six months. The caveat operates to prevent the applicant (usually executor) from obtaining a grant of probate until after serving a notice on the caveator (the person who lodged it).

Showing a relevant interest when opposing probate

The law has established that the person filing the notice (caveator) must show that they have a relevant interest in the estate of the deceased person. 

Opposing probate to protect their rights

Anyone opposing or objecting to a probate application needs to show how their rights will be, or may be affected.

 

 


1.  Re: the Estate of McLaren; Mariconte v Nobarani [2015] NSWSC 667
2.  Re Devoy: Fitzgerald and Pender v Fitzgerald [1943] St R Qd 137 
3.  The main role of a Probate Court is to make grants of probate or grants of letters of administration. A grant of probate is proof of the validity of the will that the applicant sought to propound. Grants of letters of administration are used when a person died without a will (intestate).  Or if they left an invalid will it will be a grant of letters of administration with the will annexed.
4.  Gardiner v Hughes [2017] VSCA 167
5.  Nobarani v Marioconte [2018] HCA 36
6.  A legatee is a person named in a will who is to receive a gift of personal property, a legacy, for their benefit.  They are a beneficiary.  

B Stead
BHS Legal, updated 16 July 2021.

 

Photo:  Decorative relief carved on the sandstone entry gate pillar to the Goulburn Courthouse, NSW. The Goulburn Courthouse was constructed in 1885-1887 during the reign of Queen Victoria. Drawings for the fence were made in 1898 for its construction in 1900: Office of the Environment and Heritage, Goulburn Court House and Residence. Image B Stead.

View more early and historic courthouses in New South Wales and Australia in a gallery here.

 

Important notice: This article is intended for general interest and information only. It contains general information and is not specific to anyone’s personal circumstances. It is not legal advice nor should it be used as such. Always consult a legal practitioner for specialist legal advice specific to your needs and circumstances and rely upon that. While every effort is made to ensure accuracy at the time of writing applicable laws may change.

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