Senior Associate

Tess was admitted to practice in 2015 and has since practised exclusively in Wills & Estates.  Tess recently joined Rennick & Gaynor from a large regional firm and is a trusted advisor who enjoys building long term relationships with her clients so she can provide ongoing tailored advice.

Tess has extensive experience in estate planning including Wills, Testamentary Trusts, Superannuation Proceeds Trusts, superannuation succession planning and Binding Death Benefit Nominations, SMSF planning advice, Special Disability Trusts, Powers of Attorney and issues around testamentary and decision making capacity, business and trust succession and intergenerational wealth transfers. Tess enjoys working with her clients and their trusted advisors to put into place plans which give the clients peace of mind.

Tess also assists families with the estate administration process, having vast experience dealing with complex family situations and affairs, while bringing her considered and empathetic qualities to the process, aiming to ensure her clients work through the requirements in a calm and supported way.

Tess also has significant experience dealing with estate and capacity-related disputes, including contested superannuation claims, VCAT Guardianship and Administration hearings, Will challenges, Will construction and disputes regarding Executors.  Tess takes a pragmatic approach to disputes, providing her clients with realistic advice and ensuring her clients are protected and supported throughout the dispute process.

Tess can be contacted on 03 9861 7719 or  email tessa@rennicks.com.au.

Practice Areas
  • Estate Planning
  • Wills including Testamentary Trusts, Superannuation Proceeds Trusts and Special Disability Trusts
  • Superannuation succession planning and Binding Death Benefit Nominations
  • SMSF planning and Trust Deed reviews
  • Enduring Powers of Attorney, Guardianship and Appointment of Medical Treatment Decision Makers
  • Power of Attorney including assessments of decision making capacity
  • Business and Trust succession planning
  • Intergenerational wealth transfers and blended family arrangements
  • Probate and Letters of Administration
  • Administration of estates
  • Estate and capacity-related disputes
  • Contested and uncontested superannuation and life insurance claims
  • VCAT Guardianship and Administration hearings
  • Challenging a Will
  • Construction of Will issues
  • Disputes regarding Executors
Qualifications
  • Bachelor of Laws
  • Bachelor of Social Science (Criminal Justice)
  • Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice
Memberships
  • Director, Cultura
  • Director, Multicultural Aged Care Services Geelong (MACS)
  • Law Institute of Victoria
  • Geelong Law Association
  • Victorian Women Lawyers