Wakerley Legal

Wakerley Legal For Will disputes, Probate and Estates, Retirement Living and Lifestyle resorts and Conveyancing. Sunshine Coast’s trusted legal advisors for over 40 years

You’re getting married!There’s a lot to look forward to. The celebrations, the honeymoon, starting this next chapter tog...
03/09/2026

You’re getting married!

There’s a lot to look forward to. The celebrations, the honeymoon, starting this next chapter together.

And then there’s the not-quite-as-exciting part… Your Will.

We know. Not nearly as fun as choosing your first dance song.

But getting married is an important time to think about your estate planning, particularly if you have an old Will - or you’ve never had one at all.

Your circumstances may have changed significantly since you last made a Will, and your new life together may mean your wishes are different too.

It’s also worth looking beyond your Will. Your superannuation, beneficiary nominations, jointly owned assets and other arrangements can all form part of the bigger picture.

So once the wedding planning is done and you're settling into married life, put one more thing on the list:

Make sure your estate plan reflects this exciting new chapter.
We can help make the not-so-exciting part a little easier.

Great to catch up with other sponsors and hear more about the exciting redevelopment plans for Kawana Surf Club.
30/08/2026

Great to catch up with other sponsors and hear more about the exciting redevelopment plans for Kawana Surf Club.

Who decides for your loved one when they can't decide for themselves? Most people think an Enduring Power of Attorney (E...
27/08/2026

Who decides for your loved one when they can't decide for themselves?
Most people think an Enduring Power of Attorney (EPOA) is just about bank accounts and bills. It's not.

A recent QCAT decision confirmed something huge: an attorney under an EPOA can consent to restrictive practices for a loved one in aged care.

What does that actually mean?

Restrictive practices limit a person's freedom:
🔹 Chemical restraint - medication used to manage behaviour, not treat illness
🔹 Physical restraint - staff holding a resident to stop injury

They're meant to be a last resort to prevent harm. They are not there to make someone easier to manage.

Here's the real takeaway:

Choosing your attorney isn't just filling in a form. It's choosing the person who will sit by your side and make the hardest decisions of your life - with compassion, and with your wishes at heart.

If you already have an EPOA in place... is that still the right person?

Not sure? Let's talk. Call us on (07) 5443 9600

Special Counsel: what does the title actually mean?It's a title you might see at a law firm, but it's importance is not ...
25/08/2026

Special Counsel: what does the title actually mean?

It's a title you might see at a law firm, but it's importance is not always clear.

Special Counsel is one of the most senior legal positions within a firm. It recognises lawyers who have built deep expertise over many years in a particular area of law and are trusted to handle complex matters.

At Wakerley Legal, we're proud to have both Darren Kerr and Cec O'Dea as our Special Counsel in Wills & Estates. Between them, they bring decades of experience in estate planning, testamentary trusts, estate administration and estate disputes.

Their knowledge is backed by a collaborative team with expertise across succession law, elder law, conveyancing and estate administration. That means when you work with Wakerley Legal, you're not relying on one person - you're supported by an experienced team working together to achieve the best outcome.

If you're looking for trusted advice on your Will, estate planning or conveyancing, we'd be happy to have a conversation.

The Queensland property market has shifted.For many buyers, there's now greater opportunity to:✔️ negotiate contract ter...
17/08/2026

The Queensland property market has shifted.
For many buyers, there's now greater opportunity to:

✔️ negotiate contract terms,
✔️ organise building and pest inspections,
✔️ review disclosure documents carefully, and
✔️ make informed decisions instead of rushed ones.

Just because you can move quickly doesn't always mean you should.

A property purchase is one of the biggest financial decisions you'll make. Having an experienced conveyancing team review the details before you sign can help you avoid costly surprises later.

The market changes. Good legal advice doesn't.

Meet Cec O'Dea. He is a well-respected member of the Sunshine Coast legal community for more than 25 years, and Special ...
13/08/2026

Meet Cec O'Dea. He is a well-respected member of the Sunshine Coast legal community for more than 25 years, and Special Counsel at Wakerley Legal.

Admitted as a solicitor in 1996, Cec brings decades of experience to complex succession planning, testamentary trusts, enduring powers of attorney and advance health directives. In 2017, Cec was awarded Life Membership of the Suncoast Community Legal Service, in recognition of more than a decade of voluntary service to the organisation.

Cec has a wealth of experience in many areas of law. At Wakerley Legal, he practices extensively in:

‣ estate litigation;
‣ family provision applications;
‣ wills and estate disputes;
‣ contested probate disputes;
‣ probate, estate and trust administration;
‣ succession planning, involving complex testamentary trust structures, enduring powers of attorney and advance health directives.

Outside of work, Cec enjoys surfing, ocean swimming and watching his beloved Dragons play Rugby League.

Whether it's your Will, your Power of Attorney, or a more complex estate plan involving trusts - if it's time to put things in place, or you need a second look, Cec is here to help.

Get in touch with Cec and the Wakerley Legal team today.

Should you tell your family what's in your Will? The honest answer is: it depends.There's no legal requirement to tell a...
11/08/2026

Should you tell your family what's in your Will? The honest answer is: it depends.

There's no legal requirement to tell anyone what's in your Will while you're alive, and for many people, it's something they choose to keep private.
But in some situations, having an open conversation can be incredibly valuable.

For example, if you've:

• appointed someone as your executor,
• made decisions that might surprise your family,
• chosen not to divide your estate equally, or
• left a significant gift to a particular person or charity,

explaining your reasoning ahead of time can help reduce confusion, manage expectations and, in some cases, prevent disputes after you're gone.

Of course, there are also perfectly valid reasons to keep your Will private. You may value your privacy, or you may simply want the flexibility to update your Will as life changes without feeling the need to explain every decision. There isn't a one-size-fits-all answer.

What we do recommend is making sure your executor knows where your original Will is kept and understands they'll have an important role when the time comes.

Every family is different, and your estate plan should reflect that. If you're unsure what approach is right for your circumstances, our team is always happy to have a conversation.

"It won't happen to our family"Unfortunately, that's what most people think, right up until it does.Will disputes aren't...
06/08/2026

"It won't happen to our family"

Unfortunately, that's what most people think, right up until it does.

Will disputes aren't reserved for complicated blended families or estranged relatives. They happen in close, loving families too. They are often triggered by grief, financial pressure, or simply a Will that hasn't been updated to reflect how life has changed.

Under Queensland law, an eligible person (a spouse, child, or dependant) can challenge a Will if they believe they haven't been adequately provided for. But there are strict timeframes and notice must generally be given to the executor within 6 months of death, and any court application filed within 9 months of death.

The best protection isn't hoping it won't happen to you. It's having a properly prepared, regularly reviewed Will and estate plan that reduces the risk in the first place.

If it's been a while since your Will was reviewed, let's make sure it still reflects your wishes - and your family.
Call us for a chat.

03/08/2026

Most people think they'll only need a lawyer for one important moment.
The truth is, life doesn't work that way.

We've helped clients buy their first home, then years later, protect that same home through thoughtful estate planning.
We've watched families grow and then helped them update Wills to reflect new children, marriages and life's many changes.
We've guided business owners through important decisions early on, then stood beside them again years later as they planned for retirement and succession.

That's the part of our work people don't often see.

We're not just here for one milestone. We're here for the moments that follow - and the ones after that.

It's why so many of our clients stay with Wakerley Legal for years. As life changes, they know they have a team they can turn to for trusted advice, whatever comes next.

If you're looking for a law firm that can support you through every stage of life and not just the one you're in, we'd love to be that team for you.

What a night! ✨Our team scrubbed up for a good cause on Saturday, heading along to the STEPS Grand Winter Ball in suppor...
30/07/2026

What a night! ✨

Our team scrubbed up for a good cause on Saturday, heading along to the STEPS Grand Winter Ball in support of STEPS Pathways Charity and the incredible work they do helping young people with disability and autism build brighter futures.

Black tie, great company, and a room full of people showing up for something that really matters. It doesn't get much better than that!

A massive thank you to the team at Pippa Colman Family Law for the invite - we had a wonderful time and loved being part of it all.

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3rd Floor 'Ocean Central', Cnr Duporth Avenue & Ocean St
Maroochydore, QLD
4558

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 5pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 5pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 5pm
Thursday 8:30am - 5pm
Friday 8:30am - 3pm

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