Overview
Marieann Duncan is the firm’s principal lawyer. She has worked in both regional and suburban firms and in the former federal government Australian Legal Aid Office before founding M Duncan & Associates in 1983 to serve the community and practice the law on her own terms.
She has built up a varied practice in Family Law, Wills & Estates, Litigation, and Property Law acting for both commercial and private clients.
Marieann is a Notary Public and in addition to her professional legal qualifications also has qualifications in Mediation from Bond University and a Masters in Professional Ethics from UNSW and was a casual academic between 2006-2013 teaching practical legal training at the UTS Law School in Sydney.
Areas of expertise
Family Law
Marieann has significant experience in Family Law issues enhanced by maintaining skills and knowledge with practical legal knowledge of related areas of law which need to be considered when dealing with clients’ family law issues of parenting and property.
She has acted from clients from all walks of life in what is universally a high stress life event. Marieann endeavours to assist clients reach resolution whether of a property dispute and or parenting issues by negotiation and mediation where possible or litigating when appropriate.
The ability to negotiate and advise on the practical consequences of potential orders has allowed Ms Duncan to help clients over many years achieve positive legal outcomes rather than pyrrhic victories.
Wills & Estates
Marieann also has considerable experience in estate matters from estate planning, through to estate administration and, when necessary, litigation including where there are disputed wills and family provision claims.
Her clients have included those with multi-million dollar estates involving complex and extensive assets to those modest in value. Separately she has a special interest in elder law and has acted for victims of elder abuse to identify the abuse and reclaim their rights. She takes the unique circumstances of each case into consideration to create the best outcome for each client.
Often clients will find their wills have become outdated after marriage or relationship breakdown. In these cases, Marieann helps clients to consider how best to draft your will both in the aftermath of the break up and then again in instances of new relationships and remarriage.
As part of Estate Planning Marieann also can advise clients on what is involved with the appointment of trusted persons under a Power of Attorney or appointment of Enduring Guardian.
Property
Marieann has had extensive experience in acting for small business clients and conveyancing and strata law and has been able to assist clients over many years with these issues which often also becomes relevant to finalising family law or estate matters in a satisfactory way.
Notary Public
Marieann became a Notary Public in 1995 and has remained up to date with the evolving law since that time. She became a fellow of the Australian & New Zealand College of Notaries in 2007 as well as being a member of the NSW Society of Notaries and has provided notarial services to a wide range of clients from students verifying their qualifications to Company directors registering international patents.
Recognition
Marieann was awarded a Bachelor of Arts (BA) and Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from the University of New South Wales in 1977. She attained a Master of Professional Ethics in 2010. Her other professional qualifications include attaining certificates in Mediation skills and theory and Advanced Mediation from Bond University in 2014
She was made a Fellow of the Australian and New Zealand College of Notaries in 2007 and she is a member of many professional associations including the:
- NSW Law Society
- NSW Society of Notaries
- Family Law Section of the Law Council of Australia