Psychologist and patient

Inheritance and Family Law – how does it all work?

Adam West ||

An inheritance refers to a gift, devise or bequest of property which a person may receive under the Will of a person who has died. A party may also be eligible to receive a distribution from the Estate of a person who dies intestate. Examples of property include, money, digital assets and other personal effects of belongings.

Things to consider

In family law proceedings, an inheritance that one party has or is likely to receive is an important consideration, particularly where the inheritance is of significant value.

The treatment of inheritance can vary depending upon the contributions made by each party and their respective future needs.

Ultimately, the treatment of an inheritance (or an expectant inheritance) will be determined by the Court on a case-by-case basis. How the inheritance is treated will vary and, practically speaking, may depend upon:

  • When the inheritance was received. Was it received during the marriage/relationship or post-separation? If during the marriage/relationship, what was the length of the marriage/relationship? Was the inheritance received at the beginning or closer to separation?
  • How a party has used or applied their inheritance towards matrimonial property (or not).
  • What contributions each party had made (financial or non-financial) to the person from whom the inheritance was received, and, whether the inheritance is taken to be financial contribution by either party to the matrimonial asset pool more generally.
  • How the Balance Sheet should be constructed having regard to the above. A common question asked by clients in family law matters where an inheritance is in issue is “is my inheritance excluded from or included in the asset pool?
  • Whether it has been received? Or expected to be received? This is an important distinction.

What does the Court have to say?

In the case of Bonnici & Bonnici (1992) FLC 92-272, the Full Court of the Family Court confirmed that an inheritance is not shielded from a family law property settlement, and the treatment of inheritance is reliant on the individual circumstances of each case.

In the case of Miller & Miller [2014] FamCA 591, the Husband received a significant inheritance 3 years before the end of a 10-year marriage. The inheritance received represented a significant percentage of the overall asset pool available for division. Given the circumstances, the Full Court considered that it was appropriate for the Husband’s inheritance to be included in the overall pool of assets, and the Husband received a generous assessment on contributions.

Conversely, the case of Holland & Holland [2017] FamCAFC 166 concerned an appeal by the Wife against a property order made in respect of the parties. In 2011, the Husband received an inheritance from his later brother’s Estate to the value of $715,000. At first instance, the Husband’s inheritance was excluded from the asset pool and treated as a mere financial resource of the Husband. On Appeal, the Wife asserted that the inheritance of the Husband should be included in the asset pool of the parties and thus should be divided accordingly. The Full Court allowed the appeal, noting that the trial Judge’s decision to deem the inheritance as a financial resource of the Husband alone was incorrect, and affirming that any property, legal or equitable in nature, should be included in the asset pool of the parties. This case serves as a stark reminder of the importance to finalise all property matters as soon as practicable once the marriage has irretrievably broken down.

The recent case of Roverati & Roverati (2021) FLC 94-027 [2021] FamCAFC 89 provides useful insight into the treatment of inheritance by the Family Court. In this case, the parties were married for 33 years and both received respective inheritances throughout the marriage. The Wife’s inheritance was valued at approximately $50,000, compared to the Husbands inheritance valued at over $400,000 at the time it was received. The husband derived income from the inheritance property over time, which he used to reinvest, and for the household expenses of the parties.

The primary Judge assessed the parties’ contributions as equal. The Husband challenged the primary Judge’s treatment of the inheritances, asserting that the primary Judge had failed to consider and give weight to the inheritance received by the Husband (and thus his contribution) and the extent to which this inheritance was put to the benefit of the household. The appeal was allowed, and the Court reassessed the contributions at 55/45 in the Husbands favour.

In some circumstances, it may be more appropriate for the Court to include the inheritance in the one pool of assets or a two-pool approach. It cannot, however, be excluded.

Key lessons

The receipt of an inheritance is a complex issue that requires consideration in many family law matters.  As demonstrated above, the Court will examine the issue of inheritance on a case-by-case basis and therefore it is essential that a party obtains advice early on in their matter.

If you require any advice or assistance with respect to an inheritance in your family law matter, please be in contact with our family law team who will be more than happy to assist you.

Share:

Send an enquiry

Any personal information you provide is collected pursuant to our Privacy Policy.

Categories
Archives
Author

More posts

A guide to intrafamily adoption

Adoption is the process where a parent’s legal rights for their child are transferred to another person. The formal adoption of a stepchild or close relative is known as intrafamily adoption.

Passenger movement and visa data-matching by the ATO

Heading overseas for work or a holiday? Taxation issues, including tax residency, should be on front of mind when departing from or arriving to Australia. Why? Because the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) can follow your footprints and, if you’re not careful, spring unexpected taxes on you.

Is it really necessary for my executor to have so many powers?

People often question why the executor of their estate needs to have so many powers. Simply put – if your executor isn’t given any additional powers by your Will, then they are limited to what is set out in the Trustee Act. One area that this can lead to issues in, is the family home – particularly if beneficiaries aren’t in agreement.

Essential terms of a commercial lease

A commercial lease is a contract that details the rights and obligations of a tenant and landlord. So, what are the necessary terms of a commercial lease?

Responding to data breaches

In the final part of our four-part series on your business’ responsibilities related to cyber attacks and data breaches, Special Counsel John Bennett how businesses should respond to data breaches, including application and requirements of the Notifiable Data Breaches Scheme.

Security of personal information

Part 3 of a four-part series on your business’ responsibilities related to cyber attacks and data breaches where Special Counsel, John Bennett provides an overview of some court decisions and proceedings where ‘security’ of personal information has come into issue.

Parental alienation in Family Law

The concept, Parental Alienation Syndrome, was initially brought about by American psychiatrist Richard Gardner in 1985. The term parental alienation is used to describe a situation where one parent is involved in psychologically manipulating their child to turn against the other parent.

Are you liable for labour hire workers if they are injured?

Many employers (host employers) engage employees of labour hire companies, particularly in the building and construction, hospitality and manufacturing industries. However, what happens when one of these employees gets injured at the host employer’s work site? Who is liable for the injuries?

The risks with cyber attacks and data breaches

Part 1 of a four-part series on your business’ responsibilities related to cyber attacks and data breaches. Cyber attacks and data breaches are the top business risk in Australia according to Aon’s 2023 Global Risk Management Survey.

© 2024 Coleman Greig Lawyers  |  Sitemap  |  Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation. ABN 73 125 176 230