KENT DALZIEL
DIRECTOR
Kent began The Estate Lawyers to lead a law firm with the sole focus of representing clients in their Will and Deceased estate legal matters. Kent’s true passion is in representing clients in all types of Will disputes and estate litigation. Kent has been to Court many times, and he is passionate about his role to provide his clients with their day in Court.
Prior to the establishment of The Estate Lawyers, Kent worked at McCowans Solicitors with a background in commercial and property work before making Wills and Deceased estate law his sole focus from 2008.
Kent has recently been appointed as a Board Member of The MND and Me Foundation. Kent’s connection with MND and Me is that his father, Stephen Dalziel, was diagnosed with MND in 2022. Stephen and the whole Dalziel family received a great deal of support from MND and Me at a time when it was really needed. Kent has joined the board to assist other families in a similar situation to his own.
KENT IS RECOMMENDED BY DOYLE’S GUIDE AS A LEADING WILLS AND ESTATES LITIGATION LAWYER
Kent has been recommended by Doyle’s Guide as a Leading Wills and Estates Litigation Lawyer for the past eight years, receiving this recommendation each year from 2017 to 2024.
Kent is on the Executive Committee for Law Australasia. Law Australasia is an association of independent law firms that has been operating for over 30 years. Through a unique sharing of knowledge member firms continually strive to exceed the expectations of their clients.
KENT’S PUBLISHED QUEENSLAND JUDGEMENTS IN COURT MATTERS
Please click on the following links to see some of the published Judgements in Court matters in which Kent has been involved:
Estate of Manly – a claim by the Deceased’s widow for further provision from his estate
Estate of Donovan – an argument surrounding the proper payment of the Deceased’s superannuation
Estate of Dalton – to protect the interests of a disabled beneficiary from a claim by his uncle
Estate of Colston – a dispute surrounding the removal of an Executor and trustee and the proper administration of a trust
Estate of Cook - a dispute around the Deceased’s capacity to make their Will
Estate of Schuhmacher – litigation surrounding the construction and meaning of a trust deed and whether monies in the Deceased’s bank account were estate funds;
Estate of Petty – where directions where sought from the Court as to the meaning of a Deceased person’s ambiguous Will which the Deceased made at home.
Estate of Gore - A claim by the Deceased’s de facto for further provision from his estate and an argument of the Deceased’s personal items
Estate of Buss - A claim by the Deceased’s ex wife for further provision from his estate.
Estate of Pike - where the named Executor and sole beneficiary under the Will of the Deceased had been convicted of the manslaughter of the Deceased
Estate of Doleman - An Application successfully removing a litigation guardian from acting on behalf of a beneficiary
Estate of Forster - A dispute regarding a Mutual Will Agreement made between the Deceased and his second wife where the Deceased’s children from his previous relationship sought disclosure of the financial position of the Deceased’s estate and their step-mother’s personal assets
Estate of Jacobs - Where the Deceased’s sister was removed as the Executor of the Deceased’s estate and Kent was appointed by the Court as the independent Administrator
Estate of Schmuck - Where the beneficiary of an estate pursuant to the rules of intestacy was unclear as a result of foreign adoption laws
PAUL CAMILLERI
SENIOR ASSOCIATE
Paul started working for us as a junior lawyer having previously worked at another boutique law firm. Paul commenced his employment at a small suburban law firm and received training in commercial and property work before joining The Estate Lawyers.
Paul has a broad range of experience in legal matters but since joining The Estate Lawyers he prefers to represent our Executor and Administrator clients in relation to their complex estate litigation and estate administration matters, with a focus on the review of financial transactions or matter where some commercial or property based advice is required. Paul also enjoys assisting clients with their Will and estate planning needs.
Paul was successful in representing his client in the published matter of Re Mac whereby the Deceased’s de facto spouse sought to have the Deceased’s share of their property owned jointly as tenants in common transferred to her.
MADELEINE OVENDEN
ASSOCIATE
Madi was admitted as a lawyer after previously working as a paralegal while completing her studies. Madi is experienced in estate planning, estate administration and estate litigation.
Madi has a strong interest in assisting Executors and Administrators with estate administration work, whether simple or complex. She is experienced in administering multijurisdictional estates. Madi is also passionate about assisting clients in relation to Family Provision Applications. Madi was recently successful in representing an Executor in the matter of Temple v Temple whereby the Applicant’s application to receive further provision from the Deceased’s estate was dismissed by the Judge.
Madi has a rural background and has recently re-located to the Sunshine Coast. Madi works for us remotely however she frequently visits our Brisbane office.
Madi has received several fantastic client reviews which can be viewed here.
JOSEPH BUNTER
ASSOCIATE
Before being admitted as a solicitor, Joe worked for The Estate Lawyers as a paralegal where he gained experience in Wills and deceased estates matters. Since being admitted to practice, Joe works predominately with Madi and Bri.
Joe advises clients in relation to a range of estate litigation, estate administration and estate planning matters. Joe assists both Executors with the estate administration process and beneficiaries to defend their inheritance.
Joe has experience in a range of litigation matters, including Court Applications to remove an Executor, Family Provision Applications, Will disputes where the Will-maker’s capacity is in question and claims regarding the actions made under an Enduring Power of Attorney.
Joe prides himself on being open and approachable with his clients. He has received several fantastic client reviews which can be viewed here.
BRIANNA PARKER
SOLICITOR
Prior to being admitted as a solicitor, Bri worked with us as a paralegal while completing her Bachelor of Laws and Diploma in Practical Legal Training (PLT).
Since being admitted as a lawyer, Bri works predominantly alongside Madi and Joe. Bri enjoys assisting Executors and Administrators in relation to estate administration matters as well as assisting beneficiaries in family provision applications. Bri also has an interest in executor removal applications.
INGER BRECKNELL
SOLICITOR
Inger has a wealth of experience after working in different law firms in a number of roles over several years. Inger currently works closely with Kent and Paul to assist them with their legal and administrative work. Inger has a particular interest in Estate Planning.
Inger has recently been admitted as a solicitor after obtaining a Bachelor of Laws from CQ University. She is also a qualified Justice of the Peace.
PARIS COLLICOAT
SOLICITOR
Paris joined The Estate Lawyers with several years’ experience working in different administrative and secretarial levels. She has a strong background in family law. Paris predominantly assists Madi with her estate litigation work.
Paris has recently been admitted as a solicitor after obtaining a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Southern Queensland.
SOPHIE TEMA
OPERATIONS MANAGER
Sophie started working for The Estate Lawyers in 2017 as our office junior. She progressed to be our senior paralegal and thereafter a solicitor after being admitted to practice as a lawyer in 2018.
After several years of practicing as a solicitor, Sophie now works for us as our Operations Manager to ensure our office runs smoothly and efficiently. Sophie also develops our firm’s precedents.
KRISTIE ALLEN
FINANCE MANAGER
Kristie joined The Estate Lawyers in 2022 after working with Kent several years ago on the Gold Coast.
Kristie manages our firm’s accounts section and works closely with Kent and Sophie to manage our office.
RAYLENE VISSER
SENIOR PARALEGAL
Raylene works closely with Madi, Joe and Bri to assist them with legal work in all areas of our practice. Raylene also works in our accounts and HR section.
Raylene has extensive previous experience working as a paralegal in several law firms and will go above and beyond to assist you in any way she can.
KIMBERLY SETOSTA
PARALEGAL
Kim answers many of our telephone calls and will always greet with you a smile. Kim also focuses a wealth of her time on our new clients to ensure all of their questions are answered promptly.
Kimberly is currently studying law and business at QUT.
CARLY PARRY
PARALEGAL
Carly joined The Estate Lawyers after previously working for several other law firms. She has previous experience is multiple areas of law, including property law, criminal law and debt recovery.
Carly assists Joe, Madi and Bri with their legal and administrative work. She is fantastic at keeping the team organised.
STELLA ROBINSON
PARALEGAL
Stella joined our team after re-locating to Brisbane from the Sunshine Coast. Stella has previously worked at a law firm in Noosa Heads and has experience in wills and estates, property law and commercial law. Stella works alongside Inger and Emily to assist Paul and Kent with their legal work.
Stella is currently studying a Bachelor of Laws at the Queensland University of Technology. She also holds a Bachelor of Commerce obtained from the University of Sydney.
SIOBHAN CALLUM
PARALEGAL
Siobhan works with Madi, Joe and Bri to assist them with their legal and administrative work.
Siobhan is currently studying a Bachelor of Laws at QUT. She has prior experience in both the legal and hospitality industries.
HOLLY MALYON
ADMINISTRATION OFFICER
Before joining The Estate Lawyers, Holly worked in the Trades sector in administration and scheduling.
Holly assists the entire firm with all of their administrative needs.
CHARLOTTE OBERHARDT
OFFICE JUNIOR
Charlotte works for us on a part-time basis alongside Katie as an office junior. She has recently commenced university, studying a Bachelor of Laws at QUT.
Charlotte assists all of our staff and keeps our office organised and tidy.
KATIE PROVE
OFFICE JUNIOR
Katie works for us on a casual basis alongside Charlotte as an office junior. Katie is studying a Bachelor of Laws and Psychology at QUT.
Katie has a background in hospitality and retail work.