Disrupting Tradition Innovative Strategies in Family & Estate Law
Dr Jane Lonie
Speaker – Wills & Estates Law Stream
Clinical Neuropsychologist | Author | Co-Director – Capacity and Capacity Clinic, MQ Health.
Dr Jane Lonie is a Clinical Neuropsychologist with more than 20 years’ experience in the assessment of cognitive function, capacity, and decision-making. She specialises in medico-legal and clinical evaluations, providing expert evidence to courts and tribunals in matters of testamentary capacity, powers of attorney, guardianship, and financial management.
A consultant, educator, and published author, Jane has co-authored leading texts on estate planning and regularly presents at national and international conferences. She is co-director of the Capacity and Capability Clinic at MQ Health and works extensively at the intersection of law, ageing, and cognitive health.
The Power Struggle: Capacity, Autonomy & the Battle for Control
When working with vulnerable clients, lawyers and professionals are often faced with the difficult question: is this person capable of making sound, defensible decisions? In this session, Michael Perkins (Private Client Lawyer) and Dr Jane Lonie (Clinical Neuropsychologist) explore the core elements of decision-making capacity and how they apply in collaborative practice, succession, family law, and beyond.
They will unpack observable indicators of competence, the role of insight and memory, and when to be concerned about escalation. The session also considers the obligations of professionals under rules and legislation, including the Disability Inclusion Act, Aged Care Act, and NDIS.
Attendees will leave with a practical framework for recognising compromised decision-making, supporting vulnerable clients, and building “guardrails” that make professional advice and agreements more defensible.