Vanessa Amorosi Gains Home Ownership Amid Legal Battle with Mother Over $870,000 Debt

Australian singer Vanessa Amorosi is set to sell the home her mother has occupied for the past twenty years after a court ruled that she is entitled to full ownership. This decision follows a contentious legal battle over two properties stemming from a family dispute dating back nearly a decade.

Court Ruling Grants Ownership

In a significant ruling last month, Supreme Court Justice Steven Moore determined that Vanessa Amorosi has rightful ownership of two properties, including her California residence and a semi-rural home in Narre Warren, Melbourne. However, the ruling necessitates that Amorosi pay her mother, Joyleen Robinson, almost $870,000 in restitution for her mother's long-term residency in the home.

Negotiations Fail to Resolve Dispute

Following three weeks of negotiations aimed at executing the judgment, the case returned to Justice Moore. Amorosi's barrister, Joel Fetter, expressed gratitude for the judge's late attention to the ongoing matter, highlighting that discussions had not reached a resolution. Fetter proposed that Amorosi must sell the Narre Warren property to meet the restitution obligation, although her mother has thus far declined to provide real estate agents with access to the home.

Proposed Solutions for Property Sale

To facilitate the sale, Fetter suggested a motion be established allowing Amorosi to proceed with the sale while introducing a stay on the restitution to provide adequate time for the transaction. In a bid to 'sweeten the deal', he proposed that Robinson could remain in the property for 90 days instead of the usual 14 days following the sale.

Alternative Suggestions from Robinson’s Legal Team

Robinson's barrister, Daniel Harrison, offered an alternative plan which included discharging the mortgage on the property and securing a fresh mortgage that would eliminate Robinson and her husband as guarantors. He suggested establishing an 'equitable lien' on the property until repayment is made, claiming that Amorosi should assume sole responsibility for all liabilities.

Details of the Initial Dispute

The legal dispute commenced in March 2021, when Amorosi sought sole ownership of a trust that listed both women as owners. She contended that the properties were acquired using her music royalties and expressed her belief that her mother had been 'very generous' with her earnings. Amorosi recounted in court how she felt her mother had taken control of her finances during her teenage years.

Counterclaims from Joyleen Robinson

In response, Robinson countersued, asserting that the Narre Warren property was purchased for her and that they had a prior agreement stipulating that should Amorosi encounter financial difficulties, her mother would repay the initial purchase price. Robinson also highlighted her contribution in 2014, when she paid down Amorosi's California mortgage using proceeds from the sale of a previous family home, arguing that this fulfilled their agreement.

Court's Findings and Future Proceedings

Justice Moore ultimately determined that the alleged 'kitchen agreement' never transpired and issued a reimbursement order for Robinson, including $219,486 in interest. While Robinson insisted on acting in her daughter’s best interests, the court will revisit the case at a later date with further discussions regarding the responsibility for court costs scheduled for later this year.

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