Steinmetz v Shannon [2018] NSWSC 1090

Supreme Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Steinmetz v Shannon [2018] NSWSC 1090 Hearing dates: 10 July 2018 Date of orders: 16 July 2018 Decision date: 16 July 2018 Jurisdiction: Equity Before: Pembroke J Decision: Claim dismissed with costs Catchwords: SUCCESSION – family provision – claim by second wife – no general rule that widow's claim is paramount FAMILY PROVISION – indexed annuity for widow – adequate for proper maintenance FAMILY PROVISION – respect for judgment of capable testator – freedom of testamentary disposition Legislation Cited: Succession Act, 2006 (NSW) Cases Cited: Bladwell v Davis [2004] NSWCA 170 Coates v National Trustees Executors & Agency Co Ltd Estate of Bridges (1975) 12 SASR1 Gardiner v Gardiner (unreported) 28 May 1998 Golosky v Golosky [1993] NSWCA 111 Grey v Harrison [1997] 2 VR 359 Handley v Walker (1903) 22 NZLR 932 Luciano v Rosenblum (1985) 2 NSWLR 65 Madden-Smith v Madden [2012] NSWSC 146 Marshall v Carruthers [2002] NSWCA 47 Sayer v The Public Trustee [2009] NSWSC 89 Sgro v Thompson [2017] NSWCA 326 Singer v Berghouse (1994) 181 CLR 201 Slack v Rogan (2013) 85 NSWLR 253; [2013] NSWSC 522 Stott v Cook (1960) 33 ALJR 447 Tchadovitch v Tchadovitch [2010] NSWCA 316 Vigolo v Bostin (2005) 221 CLR 191 Will of Gilbert (1946) 46 SR (NSW) 318 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Gayle Maria Warr Steinmetz – plaintiff Nicole Shannon – first defendant James Steinmetz – second defendant Representation: Counsel: Mr L Ellison SC – for the plaintiff Mr R Wilson SC – for the first and second defendants