Mellino v Wnuk[2013] QSC 336

SUPREME COURT OF QUEENSLAND

HER HONOUR:   This is an application pursuant to section 18 of the Succession Act to have a document, namely a DVD, declared to be the will of the deceased man Sean Peter Wnuk – W-n-u-k.  I have regard to the terms of section 18 itself and also to the cases which have interpreted it, including Hatsatouris – H-a-t-s-a-t-o-u-r-i-s – and Ors v Hatsatouris in the New South Wales Court of Appeal.  I’m satisfied that the DVD is a document within the meaning of the section, and I’m also satisfied that the document embodies or was meant to embody the testamentary intentions of the deceased man.  I think that is clear from the fact that he has written “my will” on the DVD itself and also from the substance of what he says in the video recording on the DVD.It is clearly made in contemplation of death, and the deceased man was found dead, having committed suicide, at some point after the video recording was made.  He discusses his intention to suicide in the document.  He is at some pains to define what property he owns, and it seems to me quite clear that, although very informal, what the document purports to do is to dispose of that property after death. 

Further, I am satisfied that the substance of the recording on the DVD demonstrates that the DVD itself without any more formality on the part of the deceased man would operate upon his death as his will.  He comes very close to saying that exact thing informally, explaining that he’s no good with paperwork and that he hopes that his recording will be sufficiently legal to operate to dispose of his property.

So it seems to me that the three tests which the court traditionally have regard to are satisfied. 

The persons who would take on intestacy are the three children of the deceased man.  Two of them have been respondents to this application since its inception.  A third, Sian – S-i-a-n – Kimmett – K-i-m-m-e-t-t – has not, but I will today make an order formally joining her as a party.  As I say, these three children would take on intestacy, and I am satisfied that they are the only relevant people to be heard on the application.  The first respondent did not attend, and there is correspondence before the court to the effect that the first respondent contents to the orders sought. The second respondent did attend court and was content for the orders to be made. 

The third respondent did not attend court.  She has had solicitors acting for her during the course of much of this proceeding, although I think it is fair to say that they have had difficulty obtaining her instructions in relation to the subject matter of the proceedings.  There is quite a correspondence in the affidavit of Mr O'Connor filed with leave today as to matters between the applicant and Ms Kimmett or at least as between her solicitors and the applicant’s solicitors.  I’m satisfied that the applicant’s solicitors have acted in every way fairly to give Ms Kimmett the opportunity to raise any matter which she wishes to raise.

I’m satisfied that although she has not been formally served as required by the rules there has been informal service of her and that these proceedings – that is, the application before me today – have come to her notice.  In particular, Mr O'Connor gave supplementary evidence before me today orally deposing to the fact that yesterday he had a conversation with her about the matter.  So she certainly understood that it was to be before the court today, and she referred Mr O'Connor to what she called the letter she had sent to the court about it, but did not ask that the matter be adjourned or in any way raise objections to it proceeding in her absence.

She did say that because she was a resident of Townsville she would not be present.  There is no letter on the file from Ms Kimmett.  There is an affidavit which I have before me.  It’s sworn informally, and I’ve had regard to the contents of that affidavit, but I’m not persuaded that there are any good reasons there why I should not make a declaration pursuant to section 18 of the Succession Act. 

So my formal orders will be as per draft initialled by me and placed with the papers.  All right.  Thank you both for your assistance.