1. Notice of intention to apply for grant – Advertising changes From 24 November 2017 notices of intention to apply for grant need only be advertised in the Queensland Law Reporter and not in a newspaper: Supreme Court Practice Direction 14 of 2017.

2. End of de facto relationship – Revocation of executor The end of a de facto relationship with a testator has the same effect as a divorce, namely, it revokes the ex-de facto’s appointment as executor of the will and revokes any benefits the testator gave to the former de facto partner under the will: new s 15B of the Succession Act 1981.

3. Stepchild includes child of party to de facto relationship The definition of a stepchild has been extended to include the child of a party to a de facto relationship, so a stepchild of the de facto testator is capable of bringing a claim against the testator’s estate as the deceased step-parent: s 40A Succession Act 1981.