KHQ Lawyers - Wills & Estates

01/10/2026

A little friendly competition and plenty of very happy taste testers!

Our annual RSPCA Cupcake Day fundraiser was back for 2026, with the KHQ team getting creative to raise funds for RSPCA Victoria.

Our teams went all out with their themed creations, pulling together some elaborate displays. Kate and Tess from RSPCA Victoria joined us to judge the entries, while George was on hand to provide the all-important four-legged support!

Thank you to everyone who baked, donated and judged. Most importantly, thank you to our Wills & Estates team for bringing everyone together for another great morning tea in support of RSPCA Victoria.

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22/05/2026

For decades, testamentary trusts have been a cornerstone of estate planning, valued for their ability to provide both tax efficiencies and asset protection for future generations.

That may be about to change.

As part of the latest Federal Budget, the government has proposed a 30% minimum tax on distributions from both existing and new discretionary trusts from 1 July 2028. This is a move that could significantly impact testamentary trusts and long-term succession planning strategies.

In our latest insight, Joel Kurta, Laura Hussey, Rachael Hocking and Ines Kallweit unpack what these proposed reforms could mean, why they matter, and the key considerations for individuals and families moving forward.

Read the full article on our website: https://khq.com.au/blog/do-we-need-to-rethink-testamentary-trusts-after-2028/

31/03/2026

Our Wills & Estates team had a fantastic time at the annual Gold Rush Festival on Sunday, connecting with a wonderful community of golden retriever owners and enthusiasts!

Throughout the day, the team spoke with many attendees about the often-overlooked importance of making provisions for pets in estate planning. From practical considerations around ongoing care to the peace of mind that comes with having a clear plan in place, these conversations highlighted just how important it is to ensure beloved pets are protected.

If you would like to learn more about how to include your pet in your will, please contact our team on +61 3 9663 9877 or visit our website: https://khq.com.au/

27/03/2026

Undoubtedly your pet is a much loved member of your family. But did you know that legally they are treated as property? This disconnect can create real uncertainty when their owner passes away, leaving family members to make quick decisions in challenging circumstances, with informal arrangements or assumptions not always holding up when they matter most.

In our latest insight, Indianna Wickes, Kim Nguyen and Ines Kallweit explore the common issues that arise when pets are not considered in estate planning, and how clear, legally enforceable arrangements can help ensure their ongoing care reflects your intentions.

Read the full article on our website: https://khq.com.au/blog/pets-in-wills/

Is your dog in your Will? Come and speak with our Wills & Estates team at our stall at the annual Gold Rush Golden Retriever Festival this Sunday, 29 March. We’ll be there to answer your questions, with dog treats and a few giveaways on hand.

19/02/2026

Wishing a joyful and prosperous Lunar New Year to all who celebrate.

The team at KHQ wishes you good health, abundance and strength in the months to come, and every success as you navigate the year ahead.

04/01/2026

KHQ’s Rachael Hocking was quoted in The Age/The Sydney Morning Herald in relation to a recent Victorian Supreme Court decision, Re Southey [2025] VSC 801, which considered what happens when a primary beneficiary named in a Will cannot be identified and may not have existed in the way the will-maker believed.

Rachael highlighted that while courts seek to give effect to a testator’s intentions, those intentions must be capable of practical operation. Where a beneficiary cannot be identified with sufficient certainty, gifts may fail, with significant consequences for how an estate is ultimately distributed.

The decision also draws attention to the increasing risks associated with online relationships in estate planning. As this case demonstrates, difficulties verifying identity, particularly across jurisdictions, can undermine even carefully prepared Wills and increase the likelihood of disputes.

Click here to read the article: https://www.theage.com.au/national/the-2-million-inheritance-and-the-online-romance-20251219-p5np15.html

If you would like advice on estate planning, Will construction or succession matters, please contact a member of our Wills & Estates team.

Months before he died, a man changed his will to leave most of his fortune to a person he’d never met.

24/11/2025

KHQ’s Ines Kallweit was quoted in an article by The Sydney Morning Herald (and also published in The Sunday Age) regarding a recent NSW Supreme Court case involving an “early inheritance” and a dispute over significant farming assets.

Ines highlighted that while a will-maker is generally free to leave their estate to whomever they choose, that freedom is balanced by the requirement to make adequate provision for certain close family members. As Ines explained, this framework exists to prevent situations where spouses or children are left without proper support, and it continues to shape how courts assess modern estate disputes.

The case also illustrates the unique challenges faced by farming families. Preserving the viability of a working farm can conflict with achieving what family members perceive to be fairness. Without early and thoughtful planning, the risk of disputes increases significantly.

Click on link below to read the article.

If you would like advice on succession planning or family provision matters, please contact a member of our Wills & Estates team.

A trio of siblings ended up in a Sydney court after their father gave his youngest child a multimillion-dollar gift before his death.

02/10/2025

KHQ once again embraced the spirit of the annual RSPCA Cupcake Day fundraiser (hosted by our fabulous Wills & Estates team) with creativity and a healthy dose of competition! Each of our teams was tasked with coming up with a theme and creating a display of delicious goodies to match.

We were delighted to be joined by Maz and Kate from RSPCA - Victoria, who judged the entries and crowned our winners. Extra special guest, Hades, added his thoughts on the homemade dog treats, giving them his enthusiastic lick of approval (after sampling more than a few … for quality control purposes).

Most importantly, our people dug deep to support the incredible work of the RSPCA. With KHQ and another generous donor matching contributions, we smashed our fundraising target several times over.

A huge thank you to everyone who baked, donated, and joined in. The day was a fantastic reminder of what can be achieved when creativity and generosity come together, all in support of such a worthwhile cause.

21/08/2025

Our Wills & Estates team has retained its Tier 1 ranking across both the Wills, Estates & Succession Planning and Estates Litigation Law Firm categories of Doyle's Guide.

Individual team members recognised include Oliver LaCaze, recommended in the Estate Litigation Lawyers category (after a 4 year stint as a Rising Star), with Kim Nguyen named a Rising Star for the first time. Ines Kallweit and Rachael Hocking continue to hold their long-standing rankings.

Well done, team! An amazing achievement.