The Vicca Law Podcast: Protecting Legacies. Resolving Conflicts.

5 June 2025 The Vicca Law Podcast Season 2 Ep. 15 What happens to your business when you die In this episode of The Vicca Law Podcast, the discussion turns to an often-overlooked yet critical component of estate planning: business succession. When a business owner passes away, what happens to the company depends largely on how the business is structured and whether appropriate provisions have been...

29 May 2025 The Vicca Law Podcast Season 2 Ep 14 Family Provision Applications in Queensland This episode of  The Vicca Law Podcast  continues the May series on estate disputes, focusing on  Family Provision Applications (FPA) in Queensland  under the  Succession Act 1981 (Qld) . Family Provision Applications allow certain eligible individuals—such as spouses, children, an...

15 May 2025 The Vicca Law Podcast Season 2 Ep 13 Challenging a Will vs. Contesting a Will - the basics This episode of The Vicca Law Podcast explores the key differences between challenging and contesting a will—two distinct legal actions that often arise in estate disputes. Challenging a will typically involves questioning its validity, most commonly on the basis of lack of testamentary capacity...

24 Apr 2025 The Vicca Law Podcast Season 2 Ep 12 Supporting Executors: Navigating Loss with Danielle Phillips of Sage Executor Solutions In this special episode of the Vicca Law Podcast, I’m joined by our very first guest—Danielle Phillips, founder of Sage Executor Solutions. Danielle shares the deeply personal story behind why she started Sage and how her experience navigating the loss of both pa...

17 April 2025 The Vicca Law Podcast Season 2 Ep. 11 The Role of Executor or Administrator In this episode of the Vicca Law Podcast , we break down what it means to be an executor or administrator, the duties involved, and how to approach the estate administration process with clarity and confidence. From handling practical tasks like notifying institutions and paying funeral invoices, to managing...

10 April 2025 The Vicca Law Podcast Season 2 Ep 10 Do I need to apply for Probate or Letters of Administration? When a loved one passes away, one of the most confusing and overwhelming questions is whether you need to apply for probate or letters of administration. The answer isn’t always straightforward, as it largely depends on the type of assets involved, their value, and how they are held. App...

03 April 2025 The Vicca Law Podcast Season 2 Ep. 9 Probate vs. Letters of Administration When a loved one passes away, managing their estate can be overwhelming, especially when navigating the legal requirements for administering their assets. One of the most important steps in the process is understanding whether you need to apply for Probate or Letters of Administration. These are legal document...

27 Mar 2025 The Vicca Law Podcast Season 2 Ep. 8 Best use of a lawyer when you have a dispute When a legal dispute arises, many people hesitate to involve a lawyer early—often out of concern for cost or the belief that they can handle it alone. However, the best time to seek legal advice is at the very beginning of a dispute. Early legal guidance can prevent costly mistakes, strengthen your bargai...

20 Mar 2025 The Vicca Law Podcast Season 2 Ep. 7 What does your Contract say about disputes Contracts are meant to provide security in business and commercial arrangements, but when a dispute arises, many people are unaware that their contract may already outline the steps they must follow before taking legal action. Dispute resolution clauses are becoming increasingly common in contracts, requiri...

13 Mar 2025 The Vicca Law Podcast Season2 Ep. 6 Basics of Alternative Dispute Resolution When legal disputes arise, many people assume that heading to court is the only option. However, Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) methods provide structured, cost-effective alternatives that can help resolve conflicts more efficiently while keeping matters private. From negotiation and mediation to arbitra...

6 Mar 2025 The Vicca Law Podcast Season 2 Ep. 5 What Type of Lawyer Do I Need? Legal issues can arise in many aspects of life—whether it’s a business dispute, a contract disagreement, a family matter, or a property conflict. But with so many different types of lawyers, how do you know which one to call? Choosing the right legal expert for your situation is crucial to getting th...

27 Feb 2025 The Vicca Law Podcast Season 2 Ep. 4 Protection from the In-Laws One of the biggest concerns parents have when it comes to estate planning is ensuring their children’s inheritance stays within the family—especially when in-laws are involved. Many parents worry about the risk of divorce, financial mismanagement, or a child’s spouse gaining control of their hard-earned assets. The good n...

20 Feb 2025 The Vicca Law Podcast Season 2 Ep. 3 Planning for estrangement with your children Family relationships can be complicated, and estate planning becomes even more complex when estrangement is involved. While some parents may wish to exclude an estranged child from their will, doing so comes with legal risks—particularly in Queensland, where children have an unconditional right to contest...

13 Feb 2025 The Vicca Law Podcast Season 2 Ep. 2 Estate Planning for Blended Families Blended families bring unique challenges to estate planning, requiring careful consideration to ensure fairness and security for both a surviving spouse and children from previous relationships. Unlike traditional estate plans, where assets typically pass to a surviving spouse and then to children, blended famili...

6 Feb 2025 The Vicca Law Podcast Season 2 Ep. 1 Planning for your Minor Children Estate planning is essential for everyone, but when minor children are involved, it becomes even more critical. Parents need to make informed decisions to ensure their children’s stability, financial security, and overall well-being in the event of their passing. In this episode of the Vicca Law Podcast, we explore ke...

19 December 2024 The Vicca Podcast 47. 2024 Wrap Up - Estate planning trends As 2024 comes to a close, several key trends in estate planning and administration have emerged, reflecting the evolving needs and priorities of families and individuals. From the rise of right to reside clauses offering stability for loved ones, to testamentary trusts safeguarding children’s inheritances, this year has s...

12 December 2024 The Vicca Podcast 46. Charitable gifts in your Will Charitable giving through your will can be a powerful way to leave a lasting legacy and support causes close to your heart. Yet, despite good intentions, many people hesitate to include charitable gifts in their estate plan. In this episode of the Vicca Law Podcast, we explore the benefits of charitable bequests, the different ty...

05 December 2024 The Vicca Podcast 45. Preparing for Your Estate Planning Appointment: What You Need to Know Getting ready for an estate planning appointment can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. In this episode of the Vicca Law Podcast, I’ll walk you through everything you need to bring and consider to make your first estate planning appointment straightforward and productive. From ga...

21 November 2024 The Vicca Podcast 44. Terms for your EPOA you haven't considered An Enduring Power of Attorney (EPOA) is a critical document that allows you to appoint someone to make decisions on your behalf for personal, health, or financial matters if you become incapacitated. While many people rely on the standard forms from the Queensland Department of Justice and Attorney-General, these tem...

14 November 2024 The Vicca Podcast 43. Do I need to apply for probate A common question that arises after someone passes away is whether an executor needs to apply for probate. The answer depends on the specifics of the estate and the assets involved. Probate is the legal process of proving that a will is the last valid testamentary document of the deceased. It involves submitting the will to the...

7 Nov 2024 The Vicca Podcast 42. Control of your company or trust after your death Many people overlook the importance of planning for business control after death, often delaying these considerations until prompted during estate planning. If you own a business, act as a trustee, or manage corporate structures, it's essential to address these matters in your will to ensure a smooth transition and...

31 Oct 2024 The Vicca Podcast 41. Early dispute mistakes When disputes arise—whether related to estate matters, contracts, tenancy, or business disagreements—many people make common mistakes early in the process. These missteps can weaken their bargaining position and lead to unnecessary costs, wasted time, and lost peace of mind. While seeking legal advice early on is ideal, some disputes may ini...

24 Oct 2024 The Vicca Podcast 40. Options for blended families Blended families—those with spouses or partners who have children from previous relationships—are becoming increasingly common. However, when it comes to estate planning, these unique family dynamics can introduce a host of complexities and potential conflicts. Succession planning in such situations requires a delicate balance between...

17 Oct 2024 The Vicca Podcast Ep 39. Estate planning considerations for older Australians As we age, our priorities, financial situations, and health needs inevitably change. For older Australians, creating or updating a succession plan becomes a crucial step to ensure their wishes are respected, their loved ones are protected, and their assets are distributed according to their desires. In this e...

10 Oct 2024 The Vicca Podcast Ep 38. Excluding a Child From Your Will As an estate planning lawyer, I am encountering an increase in matters where parents want to exclude a child from their will. This decision often stems from estrangement, concerns about a child's ability to manage money, or other personal reasons. However, excluding a child from a will is not a straightforward process—it involve...