Western Australian Law Firm
Wherever you are, accessing legal advice shouldn’t be difficult.
We are a remote Western Australian law firm, providing clear and compassionate advice to clients across Perth, regional Western Australia, interstate and overseas.
We assist with estate planning, estate administration, estate disputes, guardianship and administration matters, and commercial litigation.
Most of our work is conducted remotely, giving our clients access to experienced Western Australian legal advice without needing to travel to an office.
We know that legal issues often arise during periods of grief, conflict, uncertainty or significant change. Our remote model is designed to make accessing legal advice simpler, while still providing the personal, compassionate support our clients expect from us.
We meet with clients by phone and video conference across Perth, regional Western Australia, interstate and internationally where their matter involves Western Australian law.
In-person appointments are not part of our standard service. Where exceptional circumstances require an in-person appointment, such as an urgent hospital visit, we may be able to assist subject to availability and additional travel charges.
“Accessibility, Clarity and Compassion”.
We pride ourselves on providing accessible legal services with clarity and compassion. For us, accessibility means being able to access clear, practical legal advice wherever you are, without unnecessary travel or inconvenience.
Estate Planning
We help you protect what matters most, with estate plans shaped by a deep understanding of how estates are administered and how disputes arise.
Because we also assist clients with estate administration and estate litigation, that insight informs every plan we prepare. It helps reduce the risk of future disputes and ensures your wishes are carried out smoothly.
Everyone’s circumstances are different, so we offer complete flexibility in how you work with us. Your estate planning can be done fully in person, fully remotely, or through a mix of both — whatever makes the process easiest for you.
Whether you prefer video meetings, in-person appointments or a combination, we’ll tailor our approach to fit your needs, ensuring every step is clear, convenient and aligned with your goals.
Estate Administration
Administering a deceased estate can be complex, especially while you’re grieving.
We guide executors and administrators through every stage of the process with clarity and compassion.
We regularly act for clients who need to administer Western Australian estates but live elsewhere — in rural WA, interstate or overseas. All estate administration services can be completed fully remotely, including applications for grants of probate and letters of administration where a person has died without a will.
No two estates are the same, and unexpected issues often arise. Our role is to make the process as straightforward as possible — explaining every step clearly, managing the details, and helping you finalise the estate efficiently and with confidence.
Contested Estates
When an estate is disputed, the emotional and financial stakes can be high.
We represent clients in a wide range of estate litigation matters across Western Australia, including Family Provision Act claims, executor disputes, and challenges to informal wills.
We understand that clients involved in these matters are often grieving and simply want clarity, fairness and a resolution they can live with. Our role is to provide clear, plain-language advice and to manage the dispute as efficiently and compassionately as possible.
Our approach is commercial and resolution-focused. Wherever possible, we aim to resolve disputes before court proceedings are commenced — often before the first mediation — saving significant time and cost for all parties.
We approach every matter with empathy and clarity, helping clients make confident decisions at a time when compassion and practicality are equally important.
Guardianship & Administration
We support clients who are caring for older or vulnerable loved ones, including those who suspect elder abuse, whether or not there’s an existing power of attorney or guardianship document in place.
We also assist clients who need to bring an application to the State Administrative Tribunal (SAT) under the Guardianship and Administration Act 1990 (WA). This may include applications to:
- Seek appointment as an administrator to manage a person’s financial affairs, or as a guardian to make decisions about their care and lifestyle.
- Request that an independent third party, such as the Public Trustee or Public Advocate, be appointed instead.
- Challenge or review an existing appointment where there are concerns about how a current attorney, guardian or administrator is acting.
For those representing themselves in the SAT, we offer our “shadowing” service — supportive, behind-the-scenes guidance that helps you stay in control while feeling confident and prepared.
Commercial Litigation
Many of our clients are business owners, and their time is valuable.
Our remote-first approach means there’s no need to travel or take time out of your day to meet with us in person. Most commercial litigation matters can be managed entirely remotely — from strategy discussions and document review to court preparation and advice — unless you prefer to meet face to face.
We regularly assist clients who are based in rural Western Australia, interstate or overseas. Through video conferencing and secure document sharing, we progress matters efficiently and maintain clear, timely communication wherever you are. Disputes are rarely simple, but with clear advice, practical strategy and flexible delivery, we help you resolve them with confidence and minimal disruption to your business
About Couldwell Legal
At Couldwell Legal we are committed to guiding our clients through the complexities of estate planning, administration and disputes, guardianship and administration matters and commercial disputes.
Gemma Couldwell (Principal)
Gemma is our Principal Solicitor and the founder of Couldwell Legal.
Originally from England, she holds a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Sheffield and moved to Western Australia in 2009. After settling in Perth, she completed her Juris Doctor at Murdoch University and was admitted to the Supreme Court of Western Australia in 2013.
Gemma practices in Wills and estates, guardianship and administration, commercial litigation, debt recovery, and defamation. She is passionate about making legal processes as straightforward and stress-free as possible — especially during times of grief, conflict, or uncertainty. She is known for her calm, practical approach and her ability to explain complex legal issues in plain English.
She leads our remote-first firm, supporting clients across Perth, regional Western Australia, and beyond — including mobile appointments in homes, hospitals, and aged care facilities.
