The Legal Light Justin Stack Why a judge invoked MASH, Jane Austen and CS Lewis to decide a disputed will Sometimes judges wrestling with trying to understand modern relationships and how they fit into the dry language of legal definitions feel the need to consult a wide variety of texts and sources. Joshua Crowther, accredited wills specialist at Stacks Law Firm, said such was the case in NSW Supreme Court Justice Michael Meek's recent judgment in Corbould v Gay. It involved a dispute centred on the friendship between two unlikely characters and the cousins of the deceased, who challenged his will. Andrew Young and Michael Gay met in 2013 at a Salvation Army-run rehab clinic. Both men had serious problems. Young was an alcoholic who had stabbed a friend. Gay was 20 years younger, with a sad history of drugs and offences. They struck up a friendship and Young invited Gay to stay at his Morisset home, which they shared for the next eight years. After Young died in hospital in 2021, Gay produced a will he said Young had signed two days before he died, leaving everything to him, including the house valued at $1.15 million. Six cousins said they had a 2010 will that left everything to them. During the court hearing it was proved the last will was forged. The judge ruled the 2010 will stood. Mr Crowther said Gay then lodged a family provision claim, which allows someone who thinks they deserve a share of a will to challenge it. "There is a high bar for eligibility for family provision. such as being dependent on the deceased, having a close relationship, and future needs," Mr Crowther said. Gay claimed the connection between the men was a strong, close and a deep friendship in which Gay cared for Young. The cousins argued the two were just friends and flatmates. Justice Meek sought to weigh how the relationship between Young and Gay fitted into the law covering family provision. He consulted far and wide on the meaning of friendship, including the Bible, Jane Austen's novel Northanger Abbey, the CS Lewis classic The Four Loves, and even discussions between characters in the TV show MASH. The judge ruled Gay did qualify for family provision, as he had provided "domestic support and personal care", as well as emotional support and companionship for Young. He awarded $350,000 from the estate to Gay. The cousins shared the remaining $800,000. However, legal fees for the two sides totalled $600,000-half the value of the estate they were fighting over. "At Stacks Law Firm we always encourage clients' to settle disputes via mediation, to avoid going to court, where costs will be high," Mr Crowther said. STACKS LAW FIRM Sandra Jeremy Lawyer No Win, No Fee Conditions apply 02 6592 6592 taree.stacklaw.com.au Partners in life The Legal Light Justin Stack Why a judge invoked MASH , Jane Austen and CS Lewis to decide a disputed will Sometimes judges wrestling with trying to understand modern relationships and how they fit into the dry language of legal definitions feel the need to consult a wide variety of texts and sources . Joshua Crowther , accredited wills specialist at Stacks Law Firm , said such was the case in NSW Supreme Court Justice Michael Meek's recent judgment in Corbould v Gay . It involved a dispute centred on the friendship between two unlikely characters and the cousins of the deceased , who challenged his will . Andrew Young and Michael Gay met in 2013 at a Salvation Army - run rehab clinic . Both men had serious problems . Young was an alcoholic who had stabbed a friend . Gay was 20 years younger , with a sad history of drugs and offences . They struck up a friendship and Young invited Gay to stay at his Morisset home , which they shared for the next eight years . After Young died in hospital in 2021 , Gay produced a will he said Young had signed two days before he died , leaving everything to him , including the house valued at $ 1.15 million . Six cousins said they had a 2010 will that left everything to them . During the court hearing it was proved the last will was forged . The judge ruled the 2010 will stood . Mr Crowther said Gay then lodged a family provision claim , which allows someone who thinks they deserve a share of a will to challenge it . " There is a high bar for eligibility for family provision . such as being dependent on the deceased , having a close relationship , and future needs , " Mr Crowther said . Gay claimed the connection between the men was a strong , close and a deep friendship in which Gay cared for Young . The cousins argued the two were just friends and flatmates . Justice Meek sought to weigh how the relationship between Young and Gay fitted into the law covering family provision . He consulted far and wide on the meaning of friendship , including the Bible , Jane Austen's novel Northanger Abbey , the CS Lewis classic The Four Loves , and even discussions between characters in the TV show MASH . The judge ruled Gay did qualify for family provision , as he had provided " domestic support and personal care " , as well as emotional support and companionship for Young . He awarded $ 350,000 from the estate to Gay . The cousins shared the remaining $ 800,000 . However , legal fees for the two sides totalled $ 600,000 - half the value of the estate they were fighting over . " At Stacks Law Firm we always encourage clients ' to settle disputes via mediation , to avoid going to court , where costs will be high , " Mr Crowther said . STACKS LAW FIRM Sandra Jeremy Lawyer No Win , No Fee Conditions apply 02 6592 6592 taree.stacklaw.com.au Partners in life