Oliver Morrisey is the Founder and Director of Empower Wills & Estate Lawyers, a specialist law firm based in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs. With over a decade of legal experience, Oliver has built a practice dedicated to helping clients claim or protect their inheritance through clear advice, strategy, and representation.
Oliver holds a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Science (Forensics) from the University of Newcastle, as well as a Master of Laws (LLM) from the University of Sydney. He is also completing a further Master of Laws in Wills and Estates with The College of Law Australia.
As a member of both the High Court of Australia and The Law Society of NSW, Oliver brings a high level of professionalism and expertise to every matter.
Under his leadership, the firm has evolved from a general practice to one of Sydney’s fast-growing specialists in Wills and Estate Law. His client-first approach has earned the firm a strong reputation for consistent results and exceptional service, with the majority of new clients coming through word-of-mouth referrals.
Oliver leads a team of highly skilled inheritance lawyers who share his focus on achieving fair and practical outcomes. His involvement in every stage of a matter ensures that each client receives the benefit of tailored strategy and careful attention to detail.
Oliver’s practice covers both contentious and non-contentious matters.
He represents claimants who wish to contest or challenge a will, as well as executors and administrators defending similar claims. He also assists clients with estate planning, probate, and administration.
His mission is clear: to help clients claim or protect what is rightfully theirs. This principle underpins every case and drives the culture of Empower Wills & Estate Lawyers.
Oliver believes that inheritance should be handled with care, fairness, and respect. He founded Empower Wills & Estate Lawyers on the principle of “Inheritance. Your Way.”
This philosophy reflects his commitment to giving clients control over their outcomes through education, transparency, and expert guidance. His goal is to simplify complex estate matters and provide solutions that are strategic, compassionate, and effective.
A person may be named as both the executor and a beneficiary. It is important, however, that the person understand the differences in the roles to ensure they comply with their obligations as executor and avoid conflicts of interest which may detriment other beneficiaries. Introduction to the Roles of Executor and Beneficiary The executor is
Yes, you can contest a testamentary trust in NSW if you believe the trust was created unfairly, under pressure, or without proper mental capacity. Understanding how to contest a testamentary trust is important before taking legal action. You may also challenge the trust’s management or bring a claim if you were left out entirely. What
In NSW, the success rate of contesting a Will (otherwise known as a family provision claim) depends on the facts and circumstances of the particular case. Each case is unique and different. Understanding the Basics of Contesting a Will in NSW In NSW, a person may contest the will of a deceased person if they
In New South Wales, a Mutual Will is where two people make Wills in substantially identical terms where there is a legally binding obligation between the two that neither party will revoke their Will without the consent or notice to the other. A common example of a Mutual Will is where two people agree to
If a person dies without a valid will in NSW, their estate must still be managed and distributed. In these cases, an eligible person can apply to the Supreme Court of New South Wales for a grant of letters of administration. This legal document gives the appointed administrator the authority to collect assets, pay debts,
Can an executor change a Will in NSW? No, they cannot change the terms of a Will on their own. Their role is to carry out the deceased’s wishes as written. However, there are limited circumstances where the distribution of an estate may differ from the will’s wording. These include Deeds of Family Arrangement, court-ordered
Yes, in NSW, you can challenge a Will or contest a Will after probate, but the process depends on the type of claim and the timing. Whether you’re making a family provision claim or disputing the will’s validity, acting quickly and understanding your rights is critical. It is important to understand the difference between contesting
Understanding Will Contests and Disputes in New South Wales In New South Wales, a will-maker (otherwise known as a ‘testator’) has testamentary freedom to leave their estate to any one or more beneficiaries of their choosing. However, under the Succession Act 2006 (NSW) an eligible person who believes they were not left adequate provision in a
If you believe you may receive an inheritance in the future and want to safeguard it from your spouse in the event of a separation or divorce, proactive planning and an understanding of family law and inheritance laws is crucial. As inheritance is not a protected asset, strategies such as receiving the inheritance in a
Probate confirms a Will and authorises the executor to administer the estate. Many people ask how long does it take to get inheritance money in Australia or how long does a Will take to settle. In NSW, the grant is usually processed within weeks, though exact timing depends on the Court’s workload. Executors generally wait
De facto partners have the right to contest a will if they believe the deceased has left inadequate provision for them. Empower Wills and Estate Lawyers can guide de facto spouses through the process of making a family provision claim in New South Wales (NSW). What does “De Facto” mean in NSW? For the purposes of a
Probate & Administration in New South Wales In New South Wales, when a person dies, the executor named in the will is entitled to apply for probate and administer the estate. Where there is no executor willing and able to act as executor (i.e., if they have predeceased the testator) or where the deceased died
When is probate required in NSW? This depends on the type and value of assets. When someone dies, the person named as executor in the deceased’s will has the right to apply to the Supreme Court of NSW for a grant of probate, which, if granted, will give that person the power to administer and
What is an executor? The executor is a person who is named as executor in a will and who, upon the death of the will-maker, has the right to administer and distribute the deceased’s estate in accordance with the deceased’s will. While some activities can be attended to before probate, the person appointed as executor
In NSW, the distribution of a deceased estate follows a clear legal process to ensure assets are passed to the rightful beneficiaries. The executor named in the will is responsible for collecting assets, paying debts, and distributing what remains according to the will’s terms. If the person dies without a valid will, the estate is
In NSW, a parent can choose to leave a child out of their will, but doing so carries legal risks. Disinheriting a child means they are excluded from receiving any inheritance under your will. However, even if a child is excluded, they may still have the right to make a family provision claim under the
Many people in NSW hold misconceptions about wills and probate, leading to confusion during estate planning or estate administration. Some believe that having a will avoids all disputes, while others assume probate is always required. In reality, the process depends on the type of assets, the estate’s value, and the will’s validity. This guide aims
Contesting a will in NSW is a legal process that allows eligible people to claim a larger share of an estate if they believe they were unfairly treated. However, the process of contesting a will is often misunderstood, with many myths and misconceptions about wills circulating in public discourse. This guide by Empower Wills &
The appeals process in NSW provides a pathway for challenging court decisions, including appealing a District Court decision in NSW, ensuring justice is served fairly. This guide by Empower Wills & Estate Lawyers explains the steps involved in appealing from Local Courts to higher courts in NSW. Understanding this process is crucial for anyone involved
The probate process in NSW is the legal procedure that confirms a will’s validity and provides the executor with the authority to administer the estate. In this guide, we explain what probate is in NSW, when a grant of probate is required, how long it takes, and the steps involved in applying for a grant
Welcome to your comprehensive guide on the Supreme Court of New South Wales (NSW) by Empower Wills & Estate Lawyers. As the highest court in the state, the Supreme Court plays a crucial role in NSW’s legal landscape, handling a range of complex civil and criminal cases. This guide will provide essential information about the
The time it takes to obtain probate in NSW depends on several factors, including court processing times, the accuracy of the application, and whether any issues arise. Generally, once filed with the Supreme Court of New South Wales, probate applications are processed within four to eight weeks if there are no requisitions or disputes. Executors
Making a will in NSW ensures your assets are distributed according to your wishes after your death. A will provides clear instructions for your executor, reduces family disputes, and helps avoid delays in administering your estate. Under NSW law, a will must be in writing, signed, and witnessed correctly to be legally valid. The will-maker,
To apply for a grant of probate in NSW, the executor named in a valid will must ask the Supreme Court of New South Wales for legal authority to manage the deceased’s estate. A grant of probate confirms the will’s validity and gives the executor permission to collect assets, pay debts, and distribute the estate
