A text message sent from hospital by Christian Money eleven days before his death was accepted by the High Court as a valid will, leaving all his assets to his mother and his siblings.
Wills Act sets out strict formalities for a valid will: requiring the document to be in writing, signed, and acknowledged with the signatures of two witnesses.
Testamentary wishes falling short of these requirements can be validated as a will if expressing a deceased’s ‘testamentary intentions.’
The High Court heard Christian was admitted to hospital in October 2025, aged 49.
Three days later, he sent a long text to his brother Gabriel referring to his possible death, stating what should happen to his assets.
Gabriel saw his brother in hospital later that day, where Christian confirmed what he had texted, with one minor alteration.
He wanted all left to his mother Ruth and his siblings: Gabriel and Sarah.
Evidence was given of Christian having no other immediate blood relatives.
He owned his own home and lived alone.
There was no record of Christian being married, having lived in a de facto relationship, or having children.
With no evidence of any other person having a potential interest in the estate, Justice Tantrum ruled the text message and oral variation to be Christian Money’s final will.
re Christian Paul Money – High Court (21.08.26)
26.242