Widow loses legal battle with magnate's executor

The widow of Queensland mining magnate Ken Talbot has lost her lawsuit against the administrator of the late Macarthur Coal founder's estate.

More than a decade after a plane crash claimed her husband's life, Amanda Talbot took legal action against lawyer Bill Boyd for alleged negligence in the execution of the late billionaire's estate.

Mrs Talbot sued Boyd Legal over allegations owner Mr Boyd failed to finalise her husband's new will before he died and did not properly administer his estate, causing her to lose financial benefits.

She also sued law firm Arnold Bloch Leibler, which previously represented her, at a three-week Brisbane Supreme Court hearing in June 2022.

However, Justice David Boddice ordered that Mrs Talbot's claim be dismissed when he delivered his judgment late on Friday.

Mrs Talbot was not present.

However, Mr Boyd was in court and hugged supporters after Justice Boddice's judgment.

Asked outside court if he was pleased the matter was over, Mr Boyd told reporters: "Absolutely yeah. I am sure there will be more rounds to come but that's for the future."

Mr Boyd was retained by Mr Talbot in various capacities across 15 years up until his death.

This included preparing his will in 2002.

Mr Boyd was also administrator of Mr Talbot's estate from June 29, 2012.

Mrs Talbot claimed Mr Boyd had been engaged by her husband in late 2007 to create a new will and the lawyer failed by not having the process completed when Mr Talbot died.

She argued the delay cost her money as a beneficiary of her husband's estate.

Justice Boddice on Friday said parties have until February 10 to file submissions about legal costs.

Mr Talbot died in June 2010 when his plane crashed in the Republic of Congo.

He was due to face court a few months later on corruption charges.

The BRW Rich 200 list cited Mr Talbot's worth as about $1 billion at the time of his death.

He had been married to Mrs Talbot since April 1995 and the couple had two children, Alexandra and Claudia.

Mr Talbot also had two children, Liam and Courtney, from a previous marriage.