Director Jacqui Lee long heads up WGC Lawyers’ wills and estates practice, working with consultant Brien Leibinger, senior lawyer Susan Henson, associate Maree Clark, paralegal Kerryn Earle and legal assistant Anne Croft.
Practising in succession and elder law, Jacqui is compassionate, approachable and diligent, with a can-do attitude. Her clients appreciate her down-to-earth nature, which makes it easy for them to discuss sensitive and emotional issues. She prides herself on helping people during one of the most difficult and emotional times in their lives.
Estate succession planning is not just about preparing a will. Jacqui takes a holistic approach to ensure all matters are considered for her client’s particular needs, including testamentary discretionary trusts (testamentary wills), enduring powers of attorney, advance health directives, family trusts, superannuation trusts, superannuation death benefit nominations, companies and partnerships.
As our population ages, the number of options available beyond the traditional retirement village or nursing home have increased and include family arrangements for care, shared living and granny flats. Jacqui can provide advice on the issues that will arise from these arrangements, including the payment and refund of bonds or other living arrangements with family.
Jacqui and her team can assist clients with the administration of deceased estates, including obtaining Grants of Probate or Letters of Administration, with complicated court applications for informal wills that do not comply with the statutory requirements, and with the construction of wills.
Complex estate litigation for Family Provision Claims where the will is contested are emotional and complex matters and Jacqui can help clients achieve the best outcome in the circumstances. Each estate plan, administration or dispute is unique and Jacqui is skilled at tailoring her advice to each individual’s needs.
Qualifications and memberships
– Admitted as a Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Queensland, 2008
– Admitted as a Solicitor of the High Court of Australia, 2008
– Bachelor of Laws, James Cook University, 2007
– Member, Queensland Law Society
– Member, Far North Queensland Law Association
– Member, Far North Medical and Legal Society Inc.
– Member, Cairns Business Women’s Club
– Member, Cairns Chamber of Commerce
– Committee member, Cairns and District Chinese Association Inc.