CASE: Priestley v Priestley [2017] NSWCA 155

In 2002, there was a rupture in the Priestley family that resulted in the father Gordon and his son on one side, facing off against the mother Beverley and two other children Christopher and Claire.

It resulted in not only the breakdown of Gordon's marriage, but also the family farming operation. When the matter was settled, after 2 years of litigation, all the parties walked away with a chunk of the farm properties.

For most of his life, Duncan had worked on his father's farm for little to no pay. After the dust had settled in 2004, Gordon was 80 years old and unable to take over the running of the farm. It was Duncan who provided care to his ageing father, financial support, and free labour to get the farm back on its feet.

So it was a huge surprise to Duncan to find out that Gordon had made a new Will in 2007 which left his estate equally to Duncan, his two other children, and his ex-wife Beverley.