Tanya Briffa

Expertise

With 21 years of legal experience, Tanya Briffa is a Principal Lawyer at Hicks Oakley Chessell Williams and a Law Institute of Victoria Accredited Specialist in Wills & Estates. Tanya provides high-level expertise in all aspects of wills, estates, and succession planning. Based across our Melbourne and Mount Waverley offices, she is widely recognised for her ability to handle complex estate matters with both legal precision and deep empathy.

As an Accredited Specialist, Tanya possesses an advanced understanding of Victorian succession law. Throughout her 21-year career, she has developed a practice that includes drafting complex testamentary trusts, navigating the intricacies of probate and administration, and providing strategic counsel on estate disputes. She works closely with families to ensure their assets are protected and their long-term wishes are legally secured.

Tanya is known for her practical and clear guidance, helping clients navigate what can often be a sensitive and overwhelming process. Her commitment to excellence ensures that every estate plan is tailored to the individual needs of her clients, minimising the potential for future conflict and ensuring a smooth transition of wealth across generations.

Tanya assists clients with all aspects of wills and estates, including:

• Estate planning, from simple wills to complex testamentary trust wills, enduring powers of attorney, appointments of medical treatment decision makers, advance care directives, superannuation beneficiary nominations and advice for clients with complex family situations.

• Applications for grants of representation (probate and letters of administration), including applications involving informal wills and reseals of foreign grants of probate.

• Estate administration, including the preparation of deeds of family arrangement and guidance for executors and beneficiaries.

• Estate litigation, including family provision claims (applications for further provision from deceased estates), applications to remove executors and challenges to the validity of wills (such as on the grounds of testamentary incapacity).

• VCAT guardianship and administration matters, including disputes involving powers of attorney and the management of financial and personal affairs.

About Tanya

Outside of work, Tanya’s two young children keep her busy. When she does find spare time, she enjoys walking, music and dining out with family and friends.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Laws – Monash University

• Bachelor of Arts – Monash University

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

Admissions

• Supreme Court of Victoria

• High Court of Australia

Memberships and Committees

• Law Institute of Victoria

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.