Elder and Succession Law Afternoon

Join us for a comprehensive Elder and Succession Law Afternoon, hosted by our Elder and Succession Law Committee, featuring three insightful sessions on key topics in the field. This conference will provide an opportunity to explore the latest trends, challenges, and best practices in estates law. Don't miss this opportunity to connect with experts and colleagues in the estates law community.

Wednesday 18 March 2026 SCHEDULE 12:30pm: Registration opens 1:00pm - 2:00pm: The three faces of capacity: What every wills and estates practitioner needs to know  presented by Julia Bridgewater (Snedden, Hall & Gallop) 2:00pm - 3:00pm: Limitations and the scope of additional powers under Enduring Powers of Attorney presented by Rebecca Tetlow (Tetlow Legal) 3:00pm - 3:30pm: Afternoon Tea 3:30pm - 4:30pm: Identifying the Client: Duties, Ethics and Risk in Succession Law  presented by Katie Binstock (Thomson Geer) 4:50pm - 5:00pm: Networking

THE THREE FACES OF CAPACITY: WHAT EVERY WILLS AND ESTATES PRACTITIONER NEEDS TO KNOW

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This seminar will focus on one of the most critical aspects of wills and estates practice: understanding the distinct types of legal capacity required to make a valid will. 
This in-depth session will demystify the three key forms of capacity relevant to will-making and estate planning: 
Testamentary Capacity 
General Decision-Making Capacity 
Statutory Capacity 
Through expert-led discussion and practical guidance, attendees will gain clarity on how each type of capacity operates, when it applies, and how to navigate common challenges in practice. 

JULIA BRIDGEWATER

DIRECTOR  I  SNEDDON HALL & GALLOP

Julia joined SHG in 2020 to head up the Wills & Estates team. She commenced her legal career in regional NSW before moving to practise in Canberra in 2006. Julia obtained a Masters of Law from the NSW College of Law and a Bachelor of Laws from the University of London. Prior to this she had completed a Bachelor of Commerce at the University of Sydney. She has gained broad-ranging expertise in all aspects of wills and estate management and litigation in the NSW and ACT succession law jurisdictions. Julia has assisted many clients, from straightforward wills for new families to ensuring clients with more complex circumstances are able to protect their assets with effective succession plans.

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LIMITATIONS AND THE SCOPE OF ADDITIONAL POWERS UNDER ENDURING POWERS OF ATTORNEY

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This session will explore the powers, limitations, and scope of additional powers granted to attorneys under enduring powers of attorney. 
As the legal landscape surrounding substitute decision-making continues to evolve, it is essential for Wills and Estates lawyers to stay informed about the nuances of attorney powers—particularly the additional powers that may be granted, their lawful boundaries, and how they operate in practice. 
This seminar will provide a comprehensive overview of the legal framework governing enduring powers of attorney, with a focus on enhancing practitioner confidence and competence in drafting, interpreting, and advising on enduring powers of attorney. 

Key Topics will include:  

• What additional powers can be granted under an enduring power of attorney, and when they are appropriate 
• Legal and practical limitations on the exercise of additional powers by attorneys 
• Understanding the scope of authority granted to attorneys through additional powers 
• Best practice guidance for drafting, interpreting, and advising on additional powers 
• Managing risks and implementing safeguards to protect clients and attorneys 
• How additional powers interact with other legal instruments and decision-making frameworks 
• Ethical and professional responsibilities associated with granting and exercising additional powers 

REBECCA TETLOW

PARTNER  I  TETLOW LEGAL

Rebecca Tetlow has dedicated her legal career to estate planning and succession law and is Canberra’s only accredited specialist in wills and estates law. Her passion is estate planning. She enjoys helping clients, regardless of their circumstances, achieve peace of mind in regard to their estate planning needs. 
Rebecca works with each of her clients to identify their individual risks and objectives, advise on their options, develop an estate planning strategy and put in place clear, plain English wills, enduring powers of attorney, superannuation death benefit nominations, and other estate planning documents. 

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IDENTIFYING THE CLIENT: DUTIES, ETHICS AND RISK IN SUCCESSION LAW

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This session will focus on correctly identifying your client. 
In the complex and sensitive landscape of succession law, ensuring that duties are owed and performed to the correct party is not just a matter of good practice—it is a professional obligation. Misidentifying a client can have serious ethical, legal, and financial consequences, particularly in matters involving multiple family members, vulnerable individuals, or conflicting interests. 
This seminar will provide practical insights and expert guidance to help practitioners navigate the challenges of client identification in wills and estates matters, with a focus on avoiding common pitfalls and adhering to best practice standards. 
Key topics will include: 

• Identifying the client and understanding to whom professional duties are owed in complex succession law matters 
• Common practitioner errors in managing duties and how to avoid them  
• Practical guidance for ensuring duties are correctly performed and documented for the appropriate client 
• Navigating family dynamics, third-party involvement, and potential conflicts of interest

KATIE BINSTOCK

PARTNER  I  THOMSON GEER

Katie specialises in succession, elder, regulatory, and administrative law. In succession law, she excels in estate planning, administration, and litigation, crafting comprehensive estate plans and guiding clients through disputes. She navigates elder law matters such as guardianship applications and elder abuse suspicions. In regulatory and administrative law, Katie advises on complaint management, investigations, and appeals, representing clients in Tribunals and Courts. With a commercial and solutions-driven approach, she resolves disputes effectively.

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DETAILS

• When: Wednesday 18 March 2026, 1:00pm - 5pm (registration from 12:30pm) 
• Where: ACT Law Society Training Room, live streaming option available
• Cost: $200 Members, $280 Non-member, $65 Student member
• CPD: Members will earn 3 CPD points
• RSVP by Wednesday 12 March
• For further information please contact events@actlawsociety.asn.au

Reduced rates may be available to some of our members to ensure equal training opportunities. Please make contact to discuss your eligibility.

 

This event is proudly supported by EstateXchange.