Weddings, a funeral and a probate problem

Published in Coffs Coast News of the Area on 21 August 2026.

Beatrice passes away, appointing her children Prudence, Bernie and Rupert as joint executors and equal beneficiaries. She said they balanced each other out. In practice, they did this by disagreeing in equal proportions.

The estate’s main asset was Cupid’s Castle, a wedding venue with a heart shaped lake, gazebo and nine peacocks with a reputation for interrupting vows and pursuing photographers.

Prudence and Bernie wanted to sell. Rupert insisted a wedding season would increase value. Without consulting them, Rupert accepted bookings eighteen months ahead, bought 200 gold chair covers and advertised a “Peacock Premium Package”. The package promised a peacock procession. The peacocks promised nothing.

Prudence appointed an agent. Rupert cancelled the inspection because it clashed with a rehearsal. At the rescheduled inspection, the peacocks chased the agent into the heart shaped lake. Rupert blamed the agent for overreacting, dismissed him and appointed a replacement. Prudence refused to instruct the replacement agent and Cupid’s Castle remained no closer to being sold.

The siblings agreed to accept no further bookings and Rupert honoured that agreement until the next enquiry arrived. Considering it poor business practice to turn away a deposit, he continued accepting bookings from anyone who enquired, attended a wedding or exchanged romantic looks across the gazebo.

Rupert began converting the shed into a honeymoon suite. Prudence told the builder to stop. Rupert told him to continue. Bernie demanded quotes. The builder stopped answering any of them.

Prudence changed the locks. Rupert changed them back. Bernie refused to reimburse the locksmith.

They argued over sale price, chairs and whether the peacocks were assets, employees or Rupert’s responsibility.

Prudence and Bernie applied to revoke the grant of probate.

With Rupert and the chair-cover supplier being the only functioning partnership, the Court found administration had stalled, revoked the grant and appointed an independent administrator to sell Cupid’s Castle.

The peacocks remained uncooperative under new management.

Thank you to Ellysha Laklem for her assistance with this column.

If you have a request for a Hypothetical, call Manny Wood on (02) 66 487 487 or email [email protected].

This fictional column is not legal advice.