Kelly Owens

Expertise

Kelly is a wills, estates and succession lawyer who assists clients and families with all aspects of estate planning and asset structuring. She advises on superannuation, complex wills and testamentary trusts, helping clients develop strategies to protect assets and minimise the risk of future disputes.

She has a particular interest in testator’s family maintenance claims, international wills, informal will applications and probate disputes, and can explain the potential challenges that may arise if estate planning is not properly implemented. Drawing on experience in family law, commercial and civil litigation and property (both in Australia and overseas), Kelly provides holistic, cross‑disciplinary advice that reflects how estates law intersects with family relationships and asset ownership.

Kelly began her legal studies in 2006 with a Bachelor of Law (Hons) in the UK, later completing bridging studies at Deakin University before being admitted to the Supreme Court of Victoria. She also enjoys legal operations and technology, and is experienced in using IT tools and Microsoft’s AI features, Office 365 applications and online court systems to streamline processes for clients.

Kelly’s experience includes:

• Wills (simple and complex, including testamentary discretionary trusts and special disability trusts)

• Binding death benefit nominations

• Enduring powers of attorney (personal and/or financial) and appointments of medical treatment decision makers

• Deceased estates and estate administration, including grants of probate and letters of administration, grants with international wills annexed and limited grants

• Will disputes, including probate caveats and objections, Part IV claims, deeds of family arrangement and will construction issues

About Kelly

Originally from England, Kelly has retained a strong Liverpool accent despite moving to Australia in 2014. Outside work, she enjoys travelling, Thai food and unwinding by designing and making costumes for stage productions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Law (Hons) – Edge Hill University (UK)

• LLB bridging study Deakin University (Australia)

• Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice College of Law Victoria (Australia)

Admissions

• Supreme Court of Victoria

Memberships and Committees

• Law Institute of Victoria