CAG v The Public Trustee of Qld (as personal representative of the estate of JM, dec'd)

[2008] QCA 252

Queensland Court of Appeal

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Interrogate

Catchwords

1. Family Law and Child Welfare
2. › De facto relationships
3. › Adjustment of property interests
4. › Whether right to apply for property adjustment order survives death of de facto partner
5. › Whether application may be commenced against estate of deceased de facto partner
6. › Property Law Act 1974 (Qld), ss 282-288, 315
1. Statutory Interpretation
2. › Expressio unius est exclusio alterius
3. › Negative implication from specific statutory provision
4. › Whether s 315 Property Law Act 1974 (Qld) implies no right to commence proceedings after death
5. › Property Law Act 1974 (Qld), s 315
1. Succession
2. › Survival of actions
3. › Whether statutory right to apply for discretionary relief constitutes a 'cause of action' subsisting against deceased
4. › Succession Act 1981 (Qld), s 66

Quick Take

A de facto partner cannot commence proceedings for a property adjustment order under Part 19 of the Property Law Act 1974 (Qld) after the death of the other de facto partner. Section 315 only preserves proceedings already on foot at the time of death. A surviving de facto partner whose relationship ended before the other partner's death is limited to equitable claims (such as constructive trust) and, if eligible, family provision claims under the Succession Act 1981 (Qld).