Jennifer Maher,Accredited Wills & Estates Specialist

Role

Director

Practice Areas

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Location

Melbourne, Australia

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Award Winning Law Firm – Top Specialist Firm & Top Boutique Firm (Australasian Lawyer)

Jennifer advises families, executors, and trustees on complex trusts and estates issues, particularly where disputes arise.

Jennifer has a focus on complex estate, trust, and succession disputes. She advises individuals, families, executors, and trustees on issues that often involve both technical complexities and sensitive personal circumstances.

Jennifer combines deep technical knowledge with clear, practical communication, explaining issues to clients in a way that plainly outlines the available options and sets out recommendations with clear next steps. This helps clients understand their position, make informed decisions, and keeps matters moving.

The Law Institute of Victoria recognises Jennifer as an Accredited Specialist in Wills and Estates. This accreditation reflects her advanced expertise, having acted in significant trusts and estates litigation, including Owies v JJE Nominees Pty Ltd [2022] VSCA 142.

Jennifer has also received recognition by The Best Lawyers in Australia™ for Trusts and Estates in 2026, along with Doyle’s Guide, who have recognised her for more than nine years. Most recently Doyle’s Guide listed Jennifer as a Preeminent Wills, Estates and Succession Planning Lawyer in Victoria in 2025.

Jennifer contributes to the profession, sitting on the Law Institute of Victoria’s Succession Law Executive Committee and is a member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners. She is also a member of the Include a Charity Advisory Committee for the Fundraising Institute of Australia, and the Mornington Peninsula Legal Association.

Successfully appeared in the Victorian Supreme Court of Appeal in one of the most significant trust dispute cases in recent times.
Advised on a significant number of Estate and Will dispute matters, including family provision claims, disputes involving the validity of a Will, removal of executor applications, Will construction applications and other estate disputes.
Assisted families with the estate administration process.
Appeared, and advised, in the Victorian and Civil Administrative Tribunal for guardianship and administration matters including disputes involving attorneys and their conduct or the validity of an enduring power of attorney.
Supported families with complex estate planning requirements.
Appointed, as a litigation guardian (for the protection of a minor’s interests), as an administrator of an individual’s estate by the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal.
Appointed as an independent trustee of family trust.
Appointed by the court as the administrator of deceased estates.

Estate Planning

Estate planning helps you organise your financial and personal affairs in a way that reflects your intentions and provides clarity and certainty for the future.

Learn about Estate Planning

Estate Disputes and Will Challenges

Disagreements about an estate or the terms of a will can arise at an already difficult time. When expectations differ or questions arise about estate administration, uncertainty can follow.

Learn about Estate Disputes and Will Challenges

Guardianship and Capacity Disputes

Guardianship and capacity disputes arise where there is a disagreement about a loved one's ability to make decisions for themselves, or who, if anyone, should make decisions on their behalf in relation to personal, financial or health matters.

Learn about Guardianship and Capacity Disputes

Trust Disputes and Litigation

Trust disputes often arise where there are ongoing concerns about how a trust is being administered, creating uncertainty for trustees, beneficiaries and the future management of trust assets. Clear legal guidance can help bring structure to these issues and support a path toward resolution.

Learn about Trust Disputes and Litigation

Estate Administration

Estate administration involves managing and distributing a deceased person’s assets in accordance with their will or the law. Clear guidance can help executors and administrators fulfil their responsibilities with confidence and avoid unnecessary delay or uncertainty.

Learn about Estate Administration

Taxation of Deceased Estates

Tax considerations play an important role in how estates are planned, administered, and distributed. The taxation of deceased estates considers how tax issues apply to estate assets and income after a loved one passes away, and how tax-effective planning can influence those outcomes.

Learn about Taxation of Deceased Estates

Probate

Probate and estate administration involve managing a loved one’s affairs after they pass away, often at a time when emotions are high and responsibilities feel unfamiliar. Clear guidance can help reduce uncertainty and support a more orderly and considered administration process.

Learn about Probate

Wills

A will sets out how your estate is to be managed and distributed after you pass away. Having a clear and up-to-date will helps ensure your intentions are understood and carried out with certainty.

Learn about Wills

Jennifer Maher joins Velocity Legal as a Director