Edward Skilton
Edward is a Business Law Principal with a particular focus on equity, trusts and succession.
One focus of his practice is on protecting vulnerable beneficiaries and others negatively affected by the decisions of the incumbent controllers of estates and trusts. He represents plaintiffs and defendants in the County Court and Supreme Court in matters relating to:
The removal and replacement of executors and trustees of estates and trusts;
Applications for judicial interpretation of trust instruments, for example where there is a dispute as to whether a trustee had the power to do what has purportedly been done;
Disputes regarding the validity of wills;
Applications to have wills brought into Court; and
Applications for provision / further provision from deceased estates.
Edward also advises in relation to the payment of superannuation death benefits including disputes regarding eligible recipients, trustee decisions and validity of documents.
Edward prepares complex estate plans and is particularly interested in assisting the owners of private business groups transfer the business to the next generation. Edward works with families to develop and execute plans to transition equity and / or management of businesses using a combination of legal structures and non-legally binding family agreements.
His dispute resolution experience is often drawn upon to help clients head off future disputes.
Where there are concerns about a person’s ability to make decisions about their own finances (including business and investment assets) and care, Edward advises and represents clients in relation to administration and guardianship applications in the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal. He also advises in relation to applications for Court made wills for people who lack the mental capacity to change their will, including in circumstances where potential beneficiaries of the current will have asset protection concerns.
Edward regularly presents to clients and professional groups on topics relating to estate and business succession planning, administration and related disputes.
Ed’s areas of practice include:
Family estate succession planning
Administration and disputes
Business structuring and succession planning
Asset protection
Trusts
Professional associations and awards:
Admitted to practice in England and Wales and Victoria
Listed as Recommended in Doyles Guide leading Victorian Wills, Estates and Succession Planning Lawyers since 2019
Listed as Recommended in Doyles Guide leading Victorian Estates Litigation Lawyers since 2022
Recognised in Best lawyers Australia consecutively since 2023 for his work in Trusts and Estates
Download a PDF version of Edward Skilton's Professional Profile
“Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen”
Edward has been included in the 2024 & 2025 edition for the first time in Best Lawyers in the Trust and Estate area of Practice.
Edward has been listed as Recommended since 2021 in the listings of leading Victorian Wills, Estates & Succession Planning Law Firms details law firms practising within the areas of Wills, Estates and Succession Planning matters in the Victorian legal market who have been identified by their peers for their expertise and abilities in these areas.