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Wills, Probate & Estates

Making a Will or representing an estate is a deeply personal matter.  Obtaining specialised support is essential to ensuring that your wishes are fulfilled.

Elit Lawyers by McGirr & Snell is a boutique firm dedicated to advising and representing clients in relation to every aspect of Wills, probate and estate matters.

We understand that planning for the future and managing the affairs of a loved one can both important and complex. 

When disputes arise, our experienced team, led by Aggie Vlahos, provides strategic advice and strong representation in estate disputes, including contested Wills, family provision claims, and probate litigation. 

We are committed to achieving the best possible outcomes while guiding our clients through the process with clarity, compassion and confidence. 

At Elit Lawyers, clients are at the heart of everything we do. We pride ourselves on delivering trusted legal advice, personalised and practical tailored to your unique circumstances. 

A Smarter, Flexible Way to Fund Your Family Law Matter 
 
We understand that when you’re navigating a separation or relationship property matter, the financial strain can sometimes stand in the way of getting the legal support you need. That’s why we’ve partnered with JustFund – Australia’s only dedicated provider of flexible funding solutions for family law legal fees. Through this partnership, eligible clients can access a flexible line of credit to cover legal fees and expenses related to separation or relationship property proceedings. You don’t have to repay the loan until you reach a settlement, which we hope reduces the stress associated with paying costs upfront. 
 
Contact us for more information, or visit JustFund.com.au

Expertise

Drafting and advising on Wills

Testamentary Trusts

Mutual Wills

Estate Planning

Estate Administration (Probate & Letters of Administration)

Contested Wills

Powers of Attorney

Expertise

Drafting and advising on Wills

Testamentary Trusts

Mutual Wills

Estate Planning

Estate Administration (Probate & Letters of Administration)

Contested Wills

Powers of Attorney

Since the firm launched, Elit Lawyers by McGirr & Snell have won multiple awards, including:

Litigation Team of the Year 2025 - Finalist

Insurance Team of the Year 2025 - Finalist

Litigator of the Year 2025 - Finalist

Danielle Snell. Managing Partner of the Year.

Managing Partner of the Year - Winner

Law Firm Leader of the Year <100 employees - Winner

Boutique Firm of the Year - Winner

New Law Firm of the Year - Finalist

New Law Firm of the Year - Finalist

Major Matters

Defended Claim of Further Provision from Deceased Estate

Acted for the executor defendant and achieved a negotiated resolution of a family provision claim brought by an adult son under Part IV of the Administration and Probate Act 1958 (Vic) concerning a deceased estate. The plaintiff challenged the distribution of an estate valued at approximately $646,000, seeking further provision beyond a modest legacy left under the will.

Supreme Court Dispute Regarding Failure to Administer Estate with Care and Diligence

Acted on behalf of the plaintiff in the Supreme Court of Victoria seeking the distribution of an estate valued at more than $2 million. Successfully contended that the executor had failed to administer the estate with the care and diligence required of an executor, resulting in significant delays in distributing estate assets for over a decade after probate was granted.

Acted for a charity beneficiary

Acting for a charity beneficiary in a Will dispute (Part IV) brought by an adult child of the deceased. 

XNO (Guardianship) [2023] VCAT 8

Represented an attorney under an enduring power of attorney in a VCAT proceeding successfully defending an application for compensation filed against the attorney for alleged breaches.

Negligence action against Deceased Estate

Acted for the Executor of a deceased estate of a deceased pilot, defending a personal injuries damages action filed against the Estate in the Supreme Court of Victoria under the survival of causes of action regime. The matter was resolved following mediation.

Negligence action against Deceased Estate

In the same matter (as above), Aggie filed proceedings in the Supreme Court seeking damages on behalf of the Executor who was the widow of the Deceased under his policy of insurance and successfully recovered damages for loss of dependency.

Major Matters

XNO (Guardianship) [2023] VCAT 8

Represented an attorney under an enduring power of attorney in a VCAT proceeding successfully defending an application for compensation filed against the attorney for alleged breaches.

Negligence action against Deceased Estate

Acted for the Executor of a deceased estate of a deceased pilot, defending a personal injury damages action filed against the Estate in the Supreme Court of Victoria under the survival of causes of action regime. The matter was resolved following mediation.

Negligence action against Deceased Estate

In the same matter (as above), Aggie filed proceedings in the Supreme Court seeking damages on behalf of the Executor who was the widow of the Deceased under his policy of insurance and successfully recovered damages for loss of dependency.

Testator Family Maintenance Application

Represented the daughter of a deceased, who had lived with and cared for her mother for over two decades, in seeking further provision from her late mother’s estate (she received an equal share under the Will along with the deceased’s grandchildren) pursuant to Part IV of the Administration & Probate Act 1958. The matter was resolved at mediation.

Application for Removal Trustee of Self Managed Super Fund

Acted for the domestic partner of the deceased, bringing an application to remove her step-daughter as trustee of a self-managed super fund for a clear dereliction of her duties as a trustee (failing to pay funds pursuant to a binding death benefit nomination) and to appoint a new trustee in her stead. Consent Orders were made by the Court on application by the parties.

Defended Testator Maintenance Application

Acted for the Executor of a deceased estate, who was the son of the deceased, in defending an application by the deceased’s former spouse for provision out of the deceased estate, in circumstances where there was a binding financial agreement providing that no such claim would be made. The matter was resolved by negotiation following mediation.

Get in touch

With us personally, it is just one more way we’re different.

Aggie Vlahos

PARTNER

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"I had the good luck to be recommended to Aggie Vlahos for handling my Estate Litigation Case. Through Aggie I achieved a very satisfying result."

Estate Litigation

Jan

Read the full testimonial

I had the good luck to be recommended to Aggie Vlahos for handling my Estate Litigation Case. She was always available to me, no matter how big or small my concern was. She was kind, patient, easy to talk to and very understanding regarding my troubles.

The case was resolved within only 5 months, which I was grateful for. Through Aggie I achieved a very satisfying result.

I would have no hesitation in recommending her to others.

 

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