Mum to face boot

Family battle turns sour

A WOMAN who has lived in the same Lorne house for nearly two decades is set to fight her own daughter in the Supreme Court for the right to remain in her home.

Shannan Dolan wants her mum, Christine Dolan, booted from the Toorak Crescent home, which was built on land bought nearly 25 years ago, so it can be sold.

Court documents reveal that the 69-year-old mother spent $52,500 on the Lorne land in 1998, with a plan to subdivide it between her family and another family.

Her 23-year-old daughter put $20,000 towards the land purchase. But much of what followed remains in dispute, including which of the two did more work and spent more money on the house.

The estate was transferred to Shannan in the early 2000s, the property subdivided, and the home built.

Christine, Shannan, and another family member moved into the home.

Shannan, however, moved out in 2006 because of her “strained relationship” with Christine, alleging in court documents her mother had become abusive.

In 2021, Christine lodged a notification of her potential claim over part of the property after, she said, Shannan claimed at least half of it and was going to sell.

The next month, Shannan sent her mum a letter demanding she vacate the house.

Christine has lived at the property for almost two decades.

In her application to court, Shannan wanted the property sold to pay the mortgage and other property fees, with 36 per cent of the remainder to be given to her.

Her mother would receive $20,000, and anything left would go into a trust account.

None of those orders were made by the court.

Associate Justice MaryJane Ierodiaconou said the dispute had to go to trial.

“That factual dispute cannot be resolved here,” she said.