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Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Mum's $20,000 inheritance gift to charity infuriates daughter: 'It's our family money'
Welcome to legal column where lawyers Alison and Jillian Barrett from Maurice Blackburn tackle problems everyday Aussies face — whether it be consumer, property, money matters impacting relationships or work. This week, a woman isn't happy with her inheritance. Question "My mum died and left $20,000 to charity. I got the house and another $50,000, but that $20,000 could make a real difference. She didn't leave anything to my children. Can I take legal action to get that money? It's our family money and I don't see why it should go to other people." Nerida, NSW. Answer The death of a family member is always a difficult time and disputes about the distribution of assets can complicate the situation. The purpose of your mother having a will was to allow her to decide how she wanted to distribute her assets. In this case, it was her wish to leave $20,000 to charity, rather than yourself or anyone else in your family. RELATED Inheritance warning over looming $3.5 trillion wealth transfer: 'Disaster waiting to happen' Centrelink's blunt warning over $1,200 'one-off' cost-of-living payment: 'Be mindful' $10,000 pokies win divides friendship after holiday loan dispute: 'Dog act' If you choose to contest your mother's wishes, there is a legal claim you can bring in court, called a Family Provision Application, to challenge the will. The basis for bringing this claim would be that your mother did not make adequate provision for the proper maintenance or support of you or your children. It is important to note that the court will not overturn a will simply because you feel that the distribution was unfair or that the money should stay in the family. You would need to provide compelling evidence to show that the allowance provided to you, or the lack of allowance provided to your children does not adequately support your or their needs. In determining this, the court will look at your financial situation, the financial need of you and your children, the size of your mother's estate and the relationship your mother had with you and your children. The court will also attempt to understand the reasons behind your mother's decision to leave money to the charity. For example, did she work with the charity or was the charity's work aligned with something your mother valued? They will make a decision after balancing all of the competing interests, including your mother's wishes, and analysing the evidence. If you decide to pursue legal action, you should seek legal advice to understand the strength of your case and the potential outcomes. You need to be aware that the legal costs of making this type of application would generally be paid from your mother's estate. However, if you (or your children) are unsuccessful in challenging the will, you may be ordered to pay the costs of the application. With the potential legal costs involved it could become a fruitless exercise given the sum of money in dispute ($20,000) and the fact that a large proportion of the estate is going to you. This legal information is general in nature and should not be regarded as specific legal advice. If you need legal advice, you should consult a solicitor. Sign in to access your portfolio
Belfast Telegraph
25-04-2025
- Politics
- Belfast Telegraph
Number of people in emergency accommodation hits record high of 15,418
Opposition parties called for a 'radical' reset on housing to stem the constant increase in homelessness. The figures show there were 40 more people, 22 of whom were children, using emergency accommodation in March compared with February, when 15,378 were recorded as homeless. The figures for January saw 15,286 people homeless, 4,603 of whom were children. The true number of people who are homeless is thought to be much higher, as the monthly figures do not include people sleeping on the streets, couch-surfing or those who access accommodation in domestic violence refuges or Direct Provision. The monthly Department of Housing tally has been growing steadily for years as governments have struggled to address the housing crisis which emerged after the recession. House prices and rents have skyrocketed, particularly after the Covid-19 pandemic, as supply remains constrained and demand has increased. The government has increased its new-build housing targets for the coming years in response, but missed last year's overall target and its social homes target for several years running. The Central Bank of Ireland has also warned that Ireland is on track to miss its housing targets for the next three years. Homelessness charity the Simon Communities of Ireland said that since March last year, an extra 1,552 people are in emergency accommodation. Ber Grogan, executive director of the Simon Communities of Ireland, said: 'This time four years ago, it was reported that 8,060 men, women and children were experiencing homelessness. 'That number has nearly doubled since then. It's hard to fathom how we can reverse these figures in the next five years without urgent action. 'If we're serious about ending homelessness by 2030, we need to start treating it like the crisis it is. 'Housing and homelessness must become a top priority for Government. 'Our latest Locked Out Of The Market report highlights the severe shortage of options in the private rental sector. 'We need to act now to protect people from falling into homelessness. Prevention is not only the most economically sensible approach, it's also the morally right thing to do.' Labour TD Conor Sheehan said each week 'brings a new low' in this Government's handling of the housing crisis. 'There is no way to sugarcoat this. It's a national scandal, and it is a direct result of Government failure to treat housing as the emergency it clearly is,' he said. 'Despite the rhetoric, there is no urgency, no strategic leadership, and no willingness to admit the scale of the crisis.' Social Democrats TD Rory Hearne said the latest figures were 'a shameful milestone for a government that never prioritised homelessness'. Mr Hearne, the party's housing spokesperson, said the proposed removal of rent caps and cuts to the tenant-in-situ scheme will add to already rising levels of homelessness. 'Overall, there are 256 more children in emergency accommodation than there were six months ago. These trends will continue unless there is a radical shift in government policy,' he said. 'Rising levels of homelessness will continue to outpace any social and affordable housing delivery from the State unless there is a radical shift in government policy, which must have a far greater focus on the tenant-in-situ scheme.'
Dublin Live
25-04-2025
- General
- Dublin Live
Numbers in emergency housing in Ireland hit new record high of 15,418
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info A record 15,418 people were living in emergency accommodation in Ireland last month, 4,675 of whom are children, figures show. The official figures show there were 40 more people, 22 of whom were children, using emergency accommodation in March compared with February, when 15,378 were recorded as homeless. The figures for January saw 15,286 people homeless, 4,603 of whom were children. The true number of people who are homeless is thought to be much higher, as the monthly figures do not include people sleeping on the streets, couch-surfing or those who access accommodation in domestic violence refuges or Direct Provision. The monthly Department of Housing tally has been growing steadily for years as governments have struggled to address the housing crisis which emerged after the recession. House prices and rents have skyrocketed, particularly after the Covid-19 pandemic, as supply remains constrained and demand has increased. The government has increased its new-build housing targets for the coming years in response, but missed last year's overall target and its social homes target for several years running. The Central Bank of Ireland has also warned that Ireland is on track to miss its housing targets for the next three years. Join our Dublin Live breaking news service on WhatsApp. Click this link to receive your daily dose of Dublin Live content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice . For all the latest news from Dublin and surrounding areas visit our homepage.
