Lachlan Vallance

Expertise

With over 25 years of specialised legal experience, Lachlan Vallance is a Director at Hicks Oakley Chessell Williams and a Law Institute of Victoria Accredited Specialist in Wills & Estates. Recognised by Doyle’s Guide as a Preeminent Wills & Estates Litigation Lawyer, Lachlan provides strategic counsel on complex succession planning and estate disputes across Melbourne and Mount Waverley.

Expertise & Strategy: Lachlan provides high-level expertise in wills, probate, and estate administration. He is a member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) and is frequently sought out for his strategic approach to Part IV claims and trust structures.

Specialist Services: His practice extends to administering deceased estates, obtaining grants of representation, and navigating challenges to wills. With a deep understanding of both legal and taxation intricacies, he ensures a smooth transition of wealth across generations.

Rural & Business Succession: From a farming background, Lachlan possesses firsthand insight into the unique challenges faced by rural communities, making him a leader in farm succession planning, business continuity, and superannuation strategies.

Court-Appointed Leadership: Notably, Lachlan is among a select group of practitioners appointed by the Supreme Court of Victoria to serve as an independent administrator for complex estates in the Trusts, Equity & Probate List. He is also regularly engaged by VCAT to oversee the financial affairs of individuals with disabilities.

Some testimonials

• Doyle’s Guide – Recognised nationally and in Victoria

  • Leading Wills & Estates Litigation Lawyer – Australia, 2025

  • Leading Wills & Estates Litigation Lawyer – Victoria, 2025, 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015

  • Leading Wills, Estates & Succession Planning Lawyer – Victoria, 2025, 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015

• Lachlan Vallance and Andrea Bolitho assisted me with a deceased estate case that originally did not belong to your firm, but rather to Weston Gambetta, which is now closed due to Clive Weston retiring. However, they were more than happy to assist me in the matter and my brother, and I are so thankful for their willingness to help us out. Fabulous service. It looks like we have now found our new family solicitors. Thank you so much.
  N V, Wills & Estates Client

• Hi Andrea and Lachlan, we would like to thank you both for your help and guidance in enabling us, as executors, to deal with Mum's affairs and to complete probate and the administration of her estate. The journey was a new one for both of us, and the recommendation to use HOCW by a friend was definitely a good one. We will happily direct work to your office. Your help, in cheerful, clear and understandable English, made our task far easier, and more fulfilling."
  E W & R W, Wills & Estates Client

Lawyers Weekly Partner of the Year Awards 2024 | Finalist Wills & Estates

About Lachlan

Lachlan's interests include travel, playing football and tennis, running and working on the family farm on the weekends.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Laws - University of Melbourne

• Bachelor of Commerce - University of Melbourne

• Accredited Specialist - Wills & Estates - Law Institute of Victoria

• Trust & Estate Practitioner

Admissions

• Supreme Court of Victoria

• High Court of Australia

Memberships and Committees

• Law Institute of Victoria

• BNI Australia

• Society of Trust & Estate Practitioners (STEP)

Resources

Our Wills & Estates team has prepared a series of practical FAQs on wills, estate planning, probate, VCAT administration, guardianship and elder law, which are available on our Wills & Estates page. These FAQs explain common issues that arise in planning for the future and administering estates, and outline the key steps involved in putting effective arrangements in place and resolving estate-related issues.