Wills & Estates Law
WILLS, ESTATE PLANNING, PROBATE AND ESTATE ADMINISTRATION
Dawson Pouwhare has been helping locals across Lake Macquarie and the Hunter plan for the future and navigate the loss of loved ones for over 50 years. Whether you need a will drafted, an estate administered or guidance through a difficult dispute, we are here to make the process clear, considered and handled with the care it deserves.
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A will is one of the most important documents you will ever sign. We sit down with you to understand your situation properly, explain your options clearly, and prepare a will that genuinely reflects your wishes and protects the people you care about.
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A Power of Attorney appoints someone you trust to make financial and legal decisions on your behalf if you are unable to. Getting this in place before it is needed is one of the most practical things you can do for yourself and your family.
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An Enduring Guardian is the person you appoint to make lifestyle, health and medical decisions for you if you lose capacity. It sits alongside your Power of Attorney and together they make sure the right people are making the right decisions when it matters most.
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A testamentary trust is created through your will and holds assets for your beneficiaries rather than distributing them directly. It offers protection from bankruptcy risk, relationship breakdowns and tax, and is particularly valuable if you have young beneficiaries or a complex family situation.
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Superannuation does not automatically form part of your estate. Without a valid Binding Death Benefit Nomination, your super fund trustee decides where it goes. We make sure your nominations are in place, current and doing what you intend.
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When someone passes away, their estate needs to be properly administered before assets can be distributed. We guide executors and administrators through the probate process, manage the legal requirements and help bring a difficult time to a proper close.
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Estate disputes are more common than most people expect. Whether you are making a family provision claim, defending one, or questioning the validity of a will, we provide clear advice on your position and represent you with care and confidence.
“Jamie has been with me through some big life moments—closing out my parent's estates, selling my apartment, and buying a house. She always makes sure I understand the risks, does her due diligence, and keeps everything running smoothly. Leanne is fantastic too—together, they make a great team. Sharp, reliable, and genuinely great to deal with—I wouldn’t go anywhere else for legal advice!” – Anthony Johns
There is never a perfect time…
There is only now
Most people know they should have a will, a Power of Attorney, and an Enduring Guardian in place. Very few have all three sorted. The good news is that getting the right documents in place is simpler than most people expect, and the peace of mind it brings is immediate. Our team will guide you through everything at your pace, in plain language, with no unnecessary complexity.
Your Local
Wills & Estates Experts
Brooke Febo
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Brooke leads the wills and estates practice at Dawson Pouwhare, with experience across will preparation, estate planning, probate, estate administration and contested estate matters. Her background in family law gives her a strong understanding of the dynamics that frequently intersect with estate matters, blended families, estrangements and competing claims among them, and she is well placed to navigate situations where those two areas of law overlap.
Originally from the United States, Brooke chose Lake Macquarie as her home and has built her career here with a genuine commitment to the local community. She works with clients through moments that are often both practical and deeply personal, and her approach reflects that, thorough, considered and focused on making sure the right things are properly in place.
Qualifications: Bachelor of Social Science (Criminology), University of Newcastle Bachelor of Laws with Honours, University of Newcastle Diploma of Legal Practice Admitted to the Supreme Court of NSW and the High Court of Australia
Affiliations: Law Society of NSW, Hunter Valley Family Law Practitioners Association
Kylie Boyle
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Deceased Estates Assistant to Brooke Febo
Jamie-Lee Pouwhare
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Jamie-Lee is the Principal of Dawson Pouwhare and has practiced in property and conveyancing, wills and estates, and business and commercial law throughout her career. Her Masters in Applied Law with a focus on property law reflects a genuine depth of expertise in an area where she works with clients through some of their most significant financial decisions.
She purchased the firm in 2024 after working within it for three years, a decision that says as much about her as her credentials do. Cardiff is where she grew up, where she is raising her family and where she has chosen to build her career. That connection to the Lake Macquarie community is not incidental to how she practises law. Clients frequently describe her as someone who gives straight, clear advice and stays genuinely accessible throughout their matter.
Qualifications: Bachelor of Law, University of Newcastle Bachelor of Commerce, University of Newcastle Diploma of Legal Practice Admitted to the Supreme Court of NSW, 2016 Masters in Applied Law, Property Law
Affiliations: Law Society of NSW, Newcastle Law Society, Women Lawyers Association, Hunter Young Professionals
Legal Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
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A will ensures your assets are distributed according to your wishes after you pass away. Without a valid will, your estate is distributed according to the laws of intestacy, which may not reflect what you would have wanted. A will also allows you to appoint an executor you trust to manage your estate and, if you have children, can nominate a guardian for them.
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If you die without a will, your estate is distributed according to the Succession Act 2006 (NSW). This follows a fixed formula based on your family relationships, which may not reflect your intentions. The process of administering an intestate estate can also be more complicated and expensive. Having a valid will in place avoids this entirely.
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An Enduring Power of Attorney is a legal document that appoints someone you trust to make financial and legal decisions on your behalf if you lose capacity to do so yourself. Unlike a general Power of Attorney, an Enduring Power of Attorney continues to operate if you become incapacitated, which is precisely when it is most needed. It is one of the most important documents you can have in place.
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An Appointment of Enduring Guardian appoints someone to make personal, lifestyle, health and medical decisions on your behalf if you lose capacity. It works alongside your Enduring Power of Attorney, together they make sure the right people are making the right decisions across every area of your life if you are unable to.
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A testamentary trust is a trust created by your will that takes effect when you pass away. Rather than leaving assets directly to beneficiaries, assets are held in trust and managed by a nominated trustee. Testamentary trusts can provide significant tax benefits, protect assets from relationship breakdowns or bankruptcy risk, and ensure assets are managed responsibly for young or vulnerable beneficiaries.
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No. Superannuation is not legally part of your estate and is not automatically distributed according to your will. To direct who receives your super when you die, you need a valid Binding Death Benefit Nomination with your super fund. Without one, the trustee of your super fund decides who receives the benefit, which may not align with your wishes. This is one of the most commonly misunderstood aspects of estate planning.
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Probate is the legal process by which a will is recognised as valid by the Supreme Court of NSW and the executor is authorised to administer the estate. Not all estates require probate, but financial institutions and other asset holders often require it before releasing assets. A solicitor can advise you on whether probate is required and manage the application on your behalf.
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A family provision claim is a legal claim made against a deceased estate by someone who believes they have been inadequately provided for under the will or the laws of intestacy. Eligible people include spouses, children and certain other dependants. There are strict time limits for making a claim in NSW. If you believe you have a claim, or if you are an executor dealing with a potential claim, it is important to get legal advice promptly.
Two Offices
One Team
CARDIFF
315 Main Road, Cardiff NSW 2285
MORISSET
4/61-63 Dora Street, Morisset NSW 2264
