Elder and Succession Law Afternoon

Join us for a comprehensive Elder and Succession Law Afternoon, hosted by our Elder and Succession Law Committee, featuring three insightful sessions on key topics in the field. This conference will provide an opportunity to explore the latest trends, challenges, and best practices in estates law. Don't miss this opportunity to connect with experts and colleagues in the estates law community.

 

SESSIONS

ETHICAL ISSUES IN ESTATE MATTERS

Presented by Katie Binstock (Thomson Geer)
1 point in core area 1
 

This session will discuss the ethical challenges that can arise in the management and distribution of estates. This session will provide a broad overview of the key principles and best practices for ensuring fairness and integrity in estate planning and administration.

 

KEY INSIGHTS FROM THE NATIONAL ELDER ABUSE RESEARCH PROGRAM

Presented by Rachel Carson (Australian Institute of Family Studies)
1 point in core area 4

In this presentation, Rachel will present findings from the National Elder Abuse Research Program, including from the National Elder Abuse Prevalence Study and the Evaluation of the National Plan to Respond to the Abuse of Older Australians. In addition to discussing data relating to the nature and prevalence of the five key forms of elder abuse examined in the prevalence study, Rachel will present findings relating to legal arrangements, including Wills, Powers Of Attorney and family agreements.

 

VIRTUALLY VALID: THE REALITIES OF REMOTE WILL EXECUTION

Presented by Jessica Win (Farrar Gesini Dunn)
1 point in core area 4

The COVID-19 pandemic forcefully pushed the development of the laws surrounding remote execution of Wills, with variations in the methods being used across borders. Now in a post-COVID world, more and more of these remotely witnessed Wills have been admitted to probate, bringing about some interesting case law on the technicalities surrounding the remote execution process and how it interacts with existing law on what it means for a Will to be 'formally' executed.

 

DETAILS

  • When: Wednesday 26 March 2025, 1:00pm - 4:30pm (registration from 12:30pm) 
  • Where: ACT Law Society Training Room, live streaming option available
  • Cost: $200 Members, $280 Non-member, $65 Student member
  • CPD: Members will earn 3 CPD points
  • RSVP by Tuesday 18 March
  • For further information please contact events@actlawsociety.asn.au

 

MEET THE SPEAKERS

JESSICA WIN

SOLICTIOR
FARRAR GESINI DUNN

Jessica is a solicitor at Farrar Gesini Dunn specialising in estate planning, probate, estate administration and litigation, and guardianship matters in the ACT, NSW, and Victoria. She advances the goals of her clients in both the estate planning and litigation space in both a commercial and family law informed way, in a society where family structures are becoming increasingly complex.

 

RACHEL CARSON

EXECUTIVE MANAGER, FAMILY LAW, FAMILY VIOLENCE AND ELDER ABUSE RESEARCH PROGRAM
AUSTRALIAN INSTITUTE OF FAMILY STUDIES

Dr Rachel Carson is a Senior Research Fellow and Executive Manager of the Family Law, Domestic Family and Sexual Violence and Elder Abuse Research Program at the Australian Institute of Family Studies. After practising as a family lawyer, Rachel worked as a researcher in family law at the Melbourne Law School and was awarded a Melbourne Research Scholarship to undertake her PhD in this field of research at the University of Melbourne. Rachel joined AIFS in 2012, and in 2022-23 she led the Evaluation of the National Plan to respond to the Abuse of Older Australians (Elder Abuse) 2019-2023, as well as previously working on the Elder Abuse National Research Program and the National Elder Abuse Prevalence Study, commissioned by the Australian Attorney-General’s Department. At present she is managing the Institute’s contributions to the National Elder Abuse Research Program, which comprises a First Nations Research Stream (partnering with Lead Researcher Professor Victoria Hovane) and an LGBTIQA+ Research Stream (with support from Queerspace). Read Rachel's full bio here: Rachel Carson | Australian Institute of Family Studies.

 

KATIE BINSTOCK

PARTNER
THOMSON GEER

Katie specialises in succession, elder, regulatory, and administrative law. In succession law, she excels in estate planning, administration, and litigation, crafting comprehensive estate plans and guiding clients through disputes. She navigates elder law matters such as guardianship applications and elder abuse suspicions. In regulatory and administrative law, Katie advises on complaint management, investigations, and appeals, representing clients in Tribunals and Courts. With a commercial and solutions-driven approach, she resolves disputes effectively.

 

                              

This event is proudly supported by Equity Trustees.

Reduced rates may be available to some of our members to ensure equal training opportunities. Please make contact to discuss your eligibility.

Event registration terms and conditions

ACT Law Society invoices have payment terms of 14 days. Fees are payable upon registration. A 1.2% surcharge may be incurred on payments processed via credit/debit card. The Society reserves the right to cancel or alter events at its discretion, and in such circumstances, attendees will be notified via email. 

Definitions — 'Registration' means any booking given to the Society in writing, on our website, or by phone. 'Member' means any member of the ACT Law Society, including associate members and honorary members. 'New Lawyer' means any member who has held a practising certificate for five years or less. 'CLC' means any member working for a recognised community legal centre, or holding a volunteer practising certificate. 'Student' means any member holding a student membership.

All cancellations must be made in writing, and all cancellations will incur a fee, however, no charge will be incurred for substituting another person. Outside of the cancellation periods given below, a $10 administration fee will be incurred for any cancellation made. If a registered attendee fails to attend without notifying the Society in writing, no credit or refund will be offered and 100% of the total cost will be retained by the Society. 

CPD Events — In the case of CPD events held at an venue other than the Law Society, no refund can be made after the RSVP date of the event. In the case of CPD events held at the Law Society, for cancellations made up to two working days prior to the event, 50% of the total cost will be retained by the Society as a cancellation fee and the balance may be used as a credit towards other CPD events or be refunded. If you choose to keep a credit it will remain valid for 12 months from the event date, after which time it will expire. For cancellations within two working days of the event, no refunds or credits will be applicable. 

Webinars — In the case of live or on-demand webinars, as connection details are sent when registration is completed, no refund or cancellation is available. 

Social events — In the case of social events, no refund can be made after the RSVP date of the event.

Attendees of events consent to filming, photography and sound recording as members of the audience. By registering and attending this event you agree to being filmed or photographed which may be used for marketing or promotional purposes

 

 

Registration

In-person registration (members) $200.00(GST incl.) Register
In-person registration (non-members) $280.00(GST incl.) Register
In-person registration (student member) $65.00(GST incl.) Register
Live streaming registration (member) $200.00(GST incl.) Register
Live streaming registration (non-member) $280.00(GST incl.) Register
Live streaming registration (student member) $65.00(GST incl.) Register

Schedule

Speakers

Sponsors & Supporters

                              

The Elder and Succession Law Intensive is proudly supported by Equity Trustees

Equity Trustees was established in 1888 for the purpose of providing independent and impartial trustee and executor services to help families throughout Australia protect their wealth. As one of Australia’s largest and oldest listed independent trustees, they offer a diverse range of services to individuals, families and corporate clients including asset management, financial advice, estate planning and philanthropic services.

In 2022, Australian Executor Trustees (AET) joined the Equity Trustees group of companies, expanding their network of offices into all major cities, and the capability of their specialist teams. Together they share a deep commitment to their purpose of helping people take care of the future.

 

March Mastery is proudly supported by Lawcover and Opteon

Lawcover is proud to be the primary provider of professional indemnity insurance, claims and risk management education to ACT law practices and we remain focused on continuing to provide enduring insurance protection and claims prevention support to ACT lawyers, while assisting the ACT Law Society in promoting best practice of the law. 

 

Opteon ACT has had a local presence in Canberra since 1985. Opteon offers in-depth property valuations for various purposes, supporting our clients with well-informed, independent, and impartial valuation advice.

Recognised as the largest independent valuation firm in Australia and New Zealand, the depth and breadth of our services speak for themselves. Powered by a network of over 600 valuers servicing 98% of all Australian postcodes from over 80 locations, we offer the geographical reach, local knowledge and technical expertise that is uncomplicated and comprehensive.

How can Opteon assist you and your clients?

Our services and products are delivered across eight (8) national business units:

  • Government Services
  • Advisory
  • Residential
  • Tax Depreciation
  • Commercial
  • Plant & Equipment
  • Agribusiness
  • Quantity Surveying

The types of valuations we offer to law professionals include:

  • Family Law
  • Expert Witness
  • Capital Gains Tax
  • Stamp Duty
  • Financial Reporting
  • SMSF                                                                             
  • Estate Planning
  • Probate                          

Why Opteon?

 

Our Geographical Coverage

Opteon Valuers reside and operate in the regions they serve, bringing a unique perspective on local markets and specialised asset classes.

 

To see how our team can assist you, please contact our office 

Phone: (02) 6248 7837
Email: act.quotes@opteonsolutions.com
Physical address: 2/113 Canberra Avenue, Griffith, ACT, 2603