This text provides a comprehensive guide to all areas of succession law. It considers the passing of property outside a will as well as dealing with intestate estates. It looks at the nature of wills and gives full details of the capacity and formalities for creating valid wills, including special wills, as well as altering and revoking them. In implementing wills, the principles of construction are dealt with, as well as what happens if a gift fails. There is a comprehensive introduction to the functions and administrative duties of personal representatives, and a substantial chapter covers the higly topical area of family provision. Cases are presented in detail throughout. The student is offered summaries of the mainstream criticisms of each area as an introduction to a more critical approach.

Intestacy; Limitations Upon Succession; Testamentary Character and Will Substitutes; Testamentary Capacity; Undue Influence, Fraud and Mistake; Execution of Ordinary Wills; Special Types of Wills; Integration, Reference and Condition; Revocation and Revival; Probate and Contest of Wills; Grant of Administration; Collection and Management of Estate; Distribution and Settlement of Estate; Construction and Drafting of Wills.

12 vol. ; includes index.

Provides an overview of federal gift, estate, and generation-skipping transfer tax laws for the law student or practitioner. Grantor trust rules affecting the wealth disposition process is also addressed. Other subjects include intestacy, succession, power of disposition limits, transfer requirements, revocation, extrinsic evidence, incapacity, and undue influence. Examines trusts and their alternatives, changes in will execution, and problems of construction in future interests. Overviews the Federal Transfer Tax laws relating to estates and trusts, deductions in computing taxable estates, asset valuation, and credits. Generally, emphasis is placed on the Uniform Probate Code throughout the text.

Trusts and estates practice is being increasingly recognised as an occupation within the legal, accounting, tax and financial services professions. Estate planning remains the strategic advisory component within this practice. An essential resource for practitioners and students involved in trusts and estates practice, this easy-to-use, practical and comprehensive guide will enable you to understand and deliver effective estate planning services using the principles, precedents, practice points, case notes and discussion questions contained in this book. Included in this edition are the legislative changes enacted since the first edition, such as changes to wills and estate law arising from the commencement of the Succession Act 2006 (NSW) on 1 March 2008 as well as changes to income tax and superannuation laws since 2005.