M de Mestre Lawyers

16/10/2026

AI can generate a legal argument in seconds. But can it tell you when that argument is wrong?

That’s where a lawyer’s real value lies.

I shared my perspective with the Australian Financial Review on the growing “AI slop” debate.

AI is changing the landscape of legal practice. But generating pages of material is not the same as understanding a legal problem.

A lawyer’s value lies in critical judgment, strategic thinking and advice tailored to the person sitting across the table.

Technology can generate the words. Knowing what matters and what to do with them is where the real expertise lies.

Worth a read. 👇

15/10/2026

Someone is challenging the Will? Don’t panic. ⚖️

Finding out that a Will is being challenged can feel overwhelming. You may be an executor trying to administer an estate, a beneficiary worried about your inheritance, or a family member facing an unexpected dispute.

But a challenge to a Will does not automatically mean the Will is invalid.

There are several grounds on which a Will may be challenged, including:
⚖️ Lack of testamentary capacity
⚖️ Undue influence or coercion
⚖️ Fraud or forgery
⚖️ Failure to meet the legal requirements for a valid Will
⚖️ A family provision claim by an eligible person seeking further provision from the estate

So, what should you do if a Will is being challenged?

✔️ Don’t panic or make hasty decisions.
✔️ Keep relevant documents and correspondence.
✔️ Avoid distributing estate assets before obtaining appropriate legal advice.
✔️ Get advice early so you understand your options, obligations and potential risks.

At M de Mestre Lawyers, our focus is wills and estates litigation. We act for executors, beneficiaries and other parties involved in estate disputes, providing strategic advice tailored to the circumstances of each case.

Whether you need to defend a Will, challenge its validity or navigate a family provision claim, we can help you understand the next steps and protect your position.

A Will dispute doesn’t have to leave you feeling powerless. The right advice, at the right time, can make all the difference.

📩 Contact M de Mestre Lawyers to discuss your circumstances.

14/10/2026

Your Will could be beautifully drafted… and still fail to deal with your crypto. 🔐

I loved speaking with UNSW EDGE about one of the most rapidly evolving issues in succession law:

Crypto & digital assets and what happens to them when you die.

Bitcoin. Digital wallets. Online investment platforms. Passwords. Recovery phrases. Digital accounts.

For lawyers, the challenge isn’t simply “Does the Will leave the asset to someone?”

It’s also:

👉 Can the executor identify the asset?
👉 Can they access it?
👉 Can they prove ownership?
👉 And have the right instructions been left behind?

Digital wealth creates a very different estate-planning landscape and lawyers need to be thinking beyond the traditional Will.

A huge thank you to UNSW EDGE for having me. I thoroughly enjoyed sharing practical insights on how we can help clients protect and pass on their digital wealth.

11/10/2026

✏️ Apparently, my stick figures have become a thing! 😂

One of the things I’m asked for most often is to share my stick figure illustrations explaining the cost versus benefit of having a testamentary trust in your Will.

Because sometimes, the best way to explain a complex legal concept isn’t a 30-page legal document. It’s a few stick figures, a simple illustration and a real-life example. 👇

Testamentary trusts can offer significant benefits, including potential tax advantages, asset protection and greater flexibility in how an inheritance is managed.

But they’re not a one-size-fits-all solution. There are costs, complexities and individual circumstances to consider.

My philosophy? Estate planning should be practical, strategic and easy to understand, not just legally correct.

So, if my little stick figures help make a complicated concept click, I’ll keep drawing them! ✍️

Because good estate planning isn’t just about what happens when you die. It’s about protecting the people and wealth you leave behind.

💬 Have you ever wondered whether a testamentary trust belongs in your Will?

09/10/2026

✨ PINCH ME. THREE YEARS AGO, THIS WAS JUST A DREAM.

Almost 3 years ago, I took a leap of faith and started M de Mestre Lawyers.

Two very young daughters. A million ideas. Big dreams. And absolutely no guarantee of how it would all unfold.

I just knew I wanted to build something of my own a law firm that did things differently and championed women and families.

Fast forward to today, & we’re sponsoring Mel Browne’s Her Wealth Her Way conference. 🥹❤️

As a daughter, a mum to two little girls & the Principal of an all-women law firm, empowering women to invest in themselves, protect their wealth and shape their own futures is something incredibly close to my heart.

Because this is about so much more than money.

It’s about independence. Confidence. Choice. And showing the next generation of women that they can build a future on their own terms. 💫

Starting a business has taught me that sometimes you have to back yourself before the rest of the world catches up.

Three years ago, I took the leap. Today, I get to be part of something that aligns so beautifully with why I started.

To the woman with a dream she hasn’t quite dared to chase yet: this is your reminder to back yourself. ✨

Here’s to the next chapter. 🥂Mel Browne | Money Expert

07/10/2026

🐾 We do things differently here.

At M de Mestre Lawyers, we take our work seriously, but we don’t think a law firm has to feel serious all the time.

Meet Willow 🐶 our support puppy, resident mood-booster and unofficial member of the team.

Available for cuddles, pats and the occasional client meeting, Willow has quickly become a firm favourite. 💕

Because sometimes the best way to navigate a difficult conversation, a big decision or a long day is with a furry friend by your side.

Not your average law firm. And definitely not your average office. 🐾

05/10/2026

🎃 Things are getting a little spooky at M de Mestre Lawyers…

We may spend our days dealing with wills, estates, probate and litigation but that doesn’t mean we can’t have a little fun along the way. 👻

The office is officially Halloween-ready. 🕷️⚰️🎃

Because we’re not your average law firm.

30/09/2026

29/09/2026

Lawyer, Academic & Legal commentator

I am MaryAnn de Mestre, Principal of M de Mestre Lawyers. I act for families dealing with wealth planning & disputes. I also teach Succession Law at Macquarie University.

You will also hear me on the radio from time to time with ABC and 2SM 📻 or find me in the newspaper AFR, SMH, The Australian, The Guardian 📚

Open to Private client enquiries & media enquiries [email protected]

25/09/2026

🏠 The family home. The biggest asset & increasingly, a source of family conflict.

My latest commentary in The Australian looks at how Australia’s property boom is complicating inheritance plans.

Because “who gets the house?” can become a very difficult question.

Read the full article 👇