Graham Richardson Estate Leaves Deficit After Funeral Costs

Executors of the estate of former Labor senator Graham Richardson reported that he died with no assets available for distribution. The only remaining items listed were a Lexus and two wedding rings. His daughter Kate Ausden was informed that she would not receive the $10,000 legacy named in the will. 49 in deficit.

The deficit resulted from credit card balances, legal and accounting fees, and an $18,500 reception held at the Golden Century restaurant. Ausden said she learned of her father's death through media reports and was not consulted about funeral arrangements.

She later received photographs of two rings valued at $100 and two Seiko watches valued at $500. Lawyers for the executors asked her to sign a form renouncing further claims on the estate.

Ausden described her relationship with Richardson as strained and said she had not seen him since before the pandemic. She stated that she would have preferred a different approach to the funeral service. She also said she found the inclusion of a photograph of the urn containing Richardson's ashes upsetting.

The will left personal and household effects to his widow Amanda and placed the residual estate in a trust for Amanda and their child D'Arcy.