Real Housewives star Anjali Rao in tragic legal dispute
The former Real Housewives of Melbourne star has been caught up in a heartbreaking legal tug of war following the tragic loss of her beloved aunt and uncle.
News anchor Anjali Rao, who appeared in the fifth season of the reality show, lost her loved ones, Don and Lynn Kerr, whom she described as her “second parents”, in a shocking accident three years ago.
But uncertainty over which of the couple died first in the tragedy has led to a complex legal dispute over what will happen to their estate.
Mr and Mrs Kerr, from Adelaide, were killed at the same time following a head-on collision with a truck on the Wimmera Highway on February 28, 2023.
Medical experts were unable to determine which of the two men died first, the Adelaide Supreme Court was told this week.
New probate laws introduced to bring greater clarity to these circumstances, which were not yet in force at the time of the tragedy, led to a legal wrangling over their estates.
Rao was one of nine parties involved in the dispute; among them were the couple’s son, Warren Kerr, and the Royal Zoological Society, whom the couple listed as beneficiaries in their will.
The dispute revolved around how to divide the couple’s estate, which consists of their joint property, joint bank account and retirement funds.
However, the High Court was told the parties had reached an amicable agreement which would avoid the need for further hearings.
Lawyer Mark Taylor told the court: “There was some back and forth between the parties.
“All affected parties attended a resolution conference and signed an agreement.”
Judge Rachael Gray said: “The parties are to be congratulated on their successful decision, which avoided a lengthy and costly trial.”
Following the tragedy, Rao, whose 25-year journalism career has included appearances on CNN, Sky News and Network 10, posted a loving tribute to his relatives on his Instagram page.
On the anniversary of their deaths, he wrote: “One year ago today I experienced the greatest loss of my life.
“My Uncle Don and Aunt Lynn were suddenly wiped out by a truck driver…a person about whom I have no words to publish.
“Uncle Don and Aunt Lynn were my other parents. I see them in my dreams and that’s the only place I can see them anymore.
“The pain never ends, the pain never ends, but they don’t want me to suffer like this.
“If you are suffering for any reason, my heart goes out to you and you are not alone.”
Rao has been approached for comment.
