Undergraduate - UnitLAW5128 - Succession law

This unit entry is for students who completed this unit in 2014 only. For students planning to study the unit, please refer to the unit indexes in the the current edition of the Handbook. If you have any queries contact the managing faculty for your course or area of study.

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6 points, SCA Band 3, 0.125 EFTSL

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered, or view unit timetables.

Level	Undergraduate
Faculty	Faculty of Law
Offered	Clayton Second semester 2014 (Day)

Synopsis

The administration and distribution of property of deceased persons not effectively disposed of by a will. Testamentary capacity and intention. The formal element for making, altering and revoking a will. The professional duties of lawyers in the drafting and execution of wills and the management of deceased estates. Persons eligible to be appointed executors. Types of grants of representation. Methods of proving a will. The vesting of assets in an executor or administrator. The classification of gifts by will and the doctrines affecting such gifts. The powers and duties of executors and administrators. The distribution of net assets to beneficiaries or next of kin.

Outcomes

Students who successfully complete this unit should:

acquire a comprehensive knowledge of the law of Victoria regulating the administration and devolution of inheritable property of a deceased person
be able to analyse and critically examine a factual situation relating to the estate of a deceased person and to determine the procedure for obtaining authority to administer the estate, the validity of testamentary dispositions, the entitlements of beneficiaries or next of kin, the liability of particular assets to meet the burden of debts and the entitlements of beneficiaries or next of kin, the liability of particular assets to meet the burden of debts and the entitlements of beneficiaries and the ultimate distribution of the net assets to the beneficiaries or next of kin
have enhanced their powers of critical analysis and thinking, their oral communication and research skills.

Assessment

Research assignment (2,000 words) 40% and examination (2 hours plus 30 minutes reading and noting time) 60% OR examination (3 hours plus 30 minutes reading and noting time)

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Matthew Groves

Workload requirements

Three hours of lectures per week

Prerequisites

LAW1100 OR LAW1101 and LAW1102 or LAW1104; LAW3400 or LAW3401 and LAW3402