Frank v Angell [2024] NSWSC 158

Supreme Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Frank v Angell [2024] NSWSC 158 Hearing dates: 15-16 November 2023, last submissions 20 November 2023 Date of orders: 1 March 2024 Decision date: 01 March 2024 Jurisdiction: Equity - Succession & Probate List - Family Provision Before: Rees J Decision: Summons dismissed with costs. Catchwords: SUCCESSION – family provision – deceased provides rent-free accommodation and interest-free loans to Solomon Islands couple, to obtain education in Australia – couple and their children living in deceased's home when he died – plaintiffs receive $50,000 under Will plus forgiveness of $80,000 debt and one year's rent-free accommodation – deceased's children unable to provide personal care for a time given COVID-19 lockdowns and son stranded overseas – plaintiffs had, in fact, abandoned their studies and will soon return to the Solomon Islands. DEPENDENCY – whether "wholly or partly dependent on the deceased" – s 57(1)(e)(i) – principles at [76]-[81] – notion of dependency suggests that the person meeting your needs does not expect repayment – deceased provided funds as loans – support provided went beyond the plaintiffs' needs to create an opportunity to complete further education, gain employment and permanent residence in Australia – whether "member of the household" – s 57(1)(e)(ii) – principles at [86]. CLOSE PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP – s 57(1)(f) – principles at [102]-[108] – whether assistance provided "for fee or reward" – not living together due to bonds of family or friendship – that was not why plaintiffs provided domestic support and personal care. FACTORS WARRANTING – s 59(1)(b) – principles at [115]-[117] – plaintiffs received deceased's charitable generosity – deceased made plain that his assistance ceased on his death – no factors to convert the plaintiffs from potential objects of testamentary recognition to objects in fact. ADEQUACY OF PROVISION – s 60(2) – principles at [126]-[128] –– gift sufficient to cover course fees and assist plaintiffs to relocate – deceased's adult children yet to acquire their first homes in Sydney –plaintiffs have a house and likely to complete studies and gain employment in the Solomon Islands – no further provision warranted. Legislation Cited: Succession Act 2006 (NSW) ss 3(4)(a), 57(1)(e), 57(1)(f), 59(1)(a) and 60(1),(2) Cases Cited: Ball v Newey (1988) 13 NSWLR 489 Barns v Barns (2003) 214 CLR 169 Bezjak v Wyatt [2018] NSWSC 199 Calokernos (Executor of Estate of Sclavos) v Yesilhat [2017] NSWSC 666 Chan v Chan [2016] NSWCA 222 Chapple v Wilcox (2014) 87 NSWLR 646 Chisak v Presot [2022] NSWCA 100 Churton v Christian (1988) 13 NSWLR 241 Doshen v Pedisich [2013] NSWSC 1507 Evans v Levy [2011] NSWCA 125 Friend v Brien [2014] NSWSC 613 Fung v Yee [2007] NSWCA 115 Grey v Harrison [1997] 2 VR 359 Hayes v Marquis [2008] NSWCA 10 Karpin v Gough [2022] NSWSC 471 Kauri Timber Co (Tas) Pty Ltd v Reeman (1973) 128 CLR 177 Kingsland v McIndoe [1989] VR 273 Lodin v Lodin [2017] NSWCA 327 Megerditchian v Khatchadourian [2020] NSWCA 229 Middleton v Kiama District Hospital [1970] 3 NSWR 136 Olsen v Olsen (2019) 101 NSWLR 225 Page v Hull-Moody [2020] NSWSC 411 Piras v Egan [2006] NSW 328 Re Filomena Rodi, Deceased [2016] NSWSC 1696 Re Fulop deceased (1987) 8 NSWLR 679 Re Harris [1936] 5 SASR 497 Russell v NSW Trustee and Guardian [2013] NSWSC 370 Sadiq v NSW Trustee & Guardian [2015] NSWSC 716 Saravinovski v Saravinovska [2017] NSWCA 85 Sgro v Thompson [2017] NSWCA 326 Skarica v Toska [2014] NSWSC 34 Slack v Rogan (2013) 85 NSWLR 253 Smith v Moore [2020] NSWSC 1446 Spata v Tumino [2018] NSWCA 17 Starr v Miller [2021] NSWSC 426 Tobin v Ezekiel (2012) 83 NSWLR 757 Verzar v Verzar [2012] NSWSC 1380 Vigolo v Bostin: (2005) 221 CLR 191 Weisbord v Rodny (No 4) [2022] NSWSC 1726 Worladge v Doddridge (1957) 97 CLR 1 Yee v Yee [2017] NSWCA 305 Yesilhat v Calokerinos [2021] NSWCA 110 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Sharon Frank (First Plaintiff) Kim Hagie (Second Plaintiff) Catherine Angell (First Defendant) Joanne Loughlin (Second Defendant) Representation: Counsel: Mr J Brown (Plaintiffs) Mr RW Tregenza (Defendants) Solicitors: Carroll & O'Dea Lawyers (Plaintiffs) Paul A Brown & Co Solicitors (Defendants) File Number(s): 2022/243630