Deborah Kliger
Special Counsel | Wills & Estates

Expertise

Since commencing her legal career in 2015, Deborah has dedicated her practice to meeting the needs of private clients. As an experienced wills and estates lawyer, Deborah conducts matters with patience, understanding and a focus on commercial outcomes.

Deborah has a particular focus and experience in estate litigation and complex estate administration. She assists with all aspects of wills and estates including:

• Estate litigation (including issuing and defending Part IV claims, applications for approval of compromise, contested probate (caveat) proceedings, informal will applications, limited grant applications, applications to pass over or remove executors or trustees and proceedings relating to self-managed superannuation;
• Applications for Probate and Letters of Administration (including unusual grants) and revocation of grants;
• Estate administration (with a particular focus on contested estates and independent administrations); and
• Estate planning (wills ranging from simple to complex including testamentary trust wills, enduring powers of attorney, appointments of medical treatment decision makers and superannuation death benefit nominations).

About Deborah

Deborah joined the firm in April 2019 as an Associate. Prior to joining, Deborah worked at several long-established suburban firms, practising principally in wills and estates. Deborah also gained broad experience in family law and property law, giving her a well-rounded understanding of, and holistic approach to, wills and estates matters.

In addition, Deborah has held a range of volunteer legal and governance positions in the not for profit sector.  In 2021, Deborah served as the Immediate Past President of Victorian Women Lawyers, the peak representative body of women lawyers in Victoria, and as the Victorian Director of the national body Australian Women Lawyers.

Deborah was listed as a finalist in the Lawyers Weekly 2022 and 2021 Women in Law Awards in the categories of Senior Associate of the Year (SME Law) and Mentor of the Year.

Outside of work, Deborah enjoys pilates, meditation, learning languages and wine tasting. 

Qualifications

• Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice – The College of Law
• Bachelor of Laws – Monash University
• Bachelor of Arts (Japanese major) – Monash University
• Accredited Specialist – Wills & Estates – Law Institute of Victoria

Admissions

• Supreme Court of Victoria

Memberships and Committees

• Law Institute of Victoria (including the Succession Law Section)
• Victorian Women Lawyers
• Australian Women Lawyers
• The College of Law Victoria Academic Review Committee and Mentor (for the College's In Practice Component Program)