Melissa Foote
Lawyer | Associate
About Melissa
Melissa is a lawyer and Associate with Estate First Lawyers and has almost 20 years’ experience in legal practice, both as a paralegal and as a lawyer, working exclusively in the area of estate law.
Melissa enjoys working with clients, building rapport and assisting them to navigate the often complex legal and emotional issues that this area of law presents. She is practical, thorough and loves to problem solve, drawing on her many years of experience in estate law.
Education & Credentials
Melissa was admitted as a lawyer of the Supreme Court of Qld in 2018. She holds a Bachelor of Laws (graduating in the top 15% in her year), and is a Justice of the Peace (qualified). She is currently studying for her Master of Law (Wills and Estates).
Melissa is a member of the Qld Law Society, Golden Key International Honour Society, and is an Affiliate member of the international organization STEP (Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners).
Expertise
Melissa has practised extensively in wills and estates. Her particular area of expertise is estate administration, from simple to complex. Melissa’s many years of experience as a paralegal prior to becoming a lawyer gives her a comprehensive knowledge of the practical aspects of estate law and what can go wrong. As a result, she brings valuable insight into how to avoid the common pitfalls that can occur when various aspects of the estate administration or estate planning process have not been addressed.
Credentials
- Lawyer | Associate
- LLB
- G. Dip. L. Prac
- Justice of the Peace
- Member, Qld Law Society
- Member Golden Key International Honour Society
- Affiliate member of STEP
Expertise
- Estate administration (simple to complex)
- Advice to executors and beneficiaries
- Grants of Probate
- Estate planning (simple to complex)
- Testamentary Trusts in Wills
- Protective Trusts & Special Disability Trusts in Wills
- Enduring powers of attorney & health directives
- Strategies to minimise the risk of an estate claim
Testimonial
"Melissa was professional, explained all the details and we felt confident. We were always greeted with a smile and felt very comfortable discussing our Estate options."
Testimonial
"My lawyer at Estate First, Melissa, made a rather daunting task for me of developing an Estate Plan, a pretty stress-free process. She was meticulous in assisting me understand the documents and obtaining my desired outcome for my family on my death. She was always respectful and answered my questions thoroughly and conducted our meetings and exchanges with kindly adherence to the high professional standard that EFL are claiming is their goal. The culture of this company and staff from my experience is geared towards providing the best service possible for clients."
Testimonial
"Estate First Lawyers were thorough, efficient and good value for money. Melissa guided us through the complicated process of applying for probate and we were extremely satisfied with her service."
Testimonial
"From the first appointment, Melissa Foote was very clear and detailed on what I can expect. This was a very positive experience and I recommend Estate First Lawyers to anyone that requires this service."
