Mouglalis v - ; Beverly Griggs v Julie Ann Mouglalis & Ors (No 2) [2007] NSWSC 208

New South Wales Supreme Court

CITATION : Mouglalis v - ; Beverly Griggs v Julie Ann Mouglalis & Ors (No 2) [2007] NSWSC 208 This decision has been amended. Please see the end of the judgment for a list of the amendments.

HEARING DATE(S) : 19/02/07, 20/02/07, 21/02/07

JUDGMENT DATE : 15 March 2007

JUDGMENT OF : Gzell J

DECISION : Probate or letters of administration with the contents of the testimentary instrument annexed refused. Finding that deceased the father of the children. Declaration that deceased died intestate. Administration granted to one of the children.

CATCHWORDS : SUCCESSION - Wills, Probate and Administration - Probate and Letters of Administration - Testimentary instrument under the Wills, Probate and Administration Act 1898, s 18A - Instrument not found after death - Principal contents established - Whether presumption of destruction rebutted - Whether the deceased the father of children

LEGISLATION CITED : Wills, Probate and Administration Act (1898) Property (Relationships) Act 1984

Cadell v Wilcocks [1898] P 21 Cahill v Rhodes/Rhodes v Cahill [2002] NSWSC 561 CASES CITED : Curley v Duff (1985) 2 NSWLR 716 McCauley v McCauley (1910) 10 CLR 434 Rosenblum v Gridiger, NSWSC, Holland J, unreported, 24 June 1980 Sugden v Lord St Leonard's (1876) 1 PD 15

PARTIES : Julie Anne Mouglalis - Plaintiff in Mouglalis v - /Defendant in Griggs v Mouglalis Beverly Griggs - Plaintiff in Griggs v Mouglalis

FILE NUMBER(S) : SC 107438/02; 110756/04

Mr R Weaver - Plaintiff in Griggs v Mouglalis COUNSEL : Mr G Rich - Plaintiff in Mouglalis v - Defendant in Griggs v Mouglalis