What is Estate Planning?
Estate planning is preparing your affairs and the relevant documents to ensure that your loved ones can manage your affairs in the event you become incapacitated or your passing. This provides your loved ones with your direction and guidance to ensure your wishes are upheld regarding your estate and any direction for your care and welfare if you become incapacitated.
what is a Will
A will is a legally enforceable document that sets out your wishes and directions for your loved ones in the event of your passing including how you would like your assets distributed, whether you would like any gifts to be given and whether you would like any specific gifts to be made to charities. You can also include directions for the care of any minor children, and any burial or funeral requests.
Benefits of a Legal Will:
- You have the control to choose you to want to be your executor and administer your estate.
- You can adequately provide for any minor children and ensure they are being taken care of by a person you trust.
- You can give particular loved ones specific gifts or a part of your estate and you can give gifts to charities.
who can make a Will?
A Will can be made by anyone aged over 18, as long as they have the mental capacity to understand what they are doing.
A person under 18 can only make a Will if they:
- are married
- get a court order to authorise making a Will.
should I update my
estate plan or will?
Keeping your Plan up to date ensures that your wishes are followed and your loved ones do not enter prolonged probate.
Your Estate Plan or Will should be updated any time there is a significant change in your life or your wealth, for example, any time you:
- Buy or Sell Property
- Have Children
- Marry or Separate
- Start a Business
- Refinance Property
What are the options
Cost Effective & Legally Sound Peace of Mind
A Legal Will prepared by an Expert Estate Lawyer gives you the peace of mind that your affairs are in order and those you love will be provided for.
Your Will is also securely stored and accessible to you at any time so that it wont get lost behind a cupboard or in a move.
$550 for Individuals
$660 for Couples
What is included
- A Legal Will
- Consultation with an Estate Lawyer
- Guidance on preparing your Legal Will
- Your Will stored securely
- Significant saving for couples
- Electronic Copy on record
Comprehensive Planning and Care
An Estate Plan is a comprehensive legal package that ensures that your care and wellbeing is considered and planned for, should you become unable to care for yourself.
A comprehensive estate plan can be created for Individuals for $1,1000 or for Couples; complimentary Estate Plans can be created for $1,500 with our expert Estate Lawyers.
What is included
- A Legal Will
- Consultation with an Estate Lawyer
- Guidance on preparing your Legal Will
- Your Will stored securely
- Significant saving for couples
- Electronic Copy on record
- Enduring Power of Attorney
- Medical Treatment Decision Maker
- Advanced Care Directive
- Statement of Wishes
Simple and Affordable
These Wills are kept simple and tend to deal with one to two benefactors and limited assets.
DIY Will Kit
Simple and Affordable
$50 to $300 depending on kit
What is included
- A Will
This is an attractive option due to the low cost and generally best suited to younger individuals.
These Wills are kept simple and tend to deal with one to two benefactors and limited assets.
Legal Will
Cost Effective, Legally Sound Peace of Mind
$550 for Individuals
$660 for Couples
What is included
- A Legal Will
- Consultation with an Estate Lawyer
- Guidance on preparing your Legal Will
- Your Will stored securely
- Significant saving for couples
- Electronic Copy on record
A Legal Will prepared by an Expert Estate Lawyer gives you the peace of mind that your affairs are in order and those you love will be provided for.
Your Will is also securely stored and accessible to you at any time so that it wont get lost behind a cupboard or in a move.
MyLife Plan
Comprehensive Planning for Larger Estates
$1,100 for Individuals
$1,500 for Couples
What is included
- A Legal Will
- Consultation with an Estate Lawyer
- Guidance on preparing your Legal Will
- Your Will stored securely
- Significant saving for couples
- Electronic Copy on record
- Enduring Power of Attorney
- Medical Treatment Decision Maker
- Advanced Care Directive
- Statement of Wishes
An Estate Plan is a comprehensive legal package that ensures that your care and wellbeing is considered and planned for, should you become unable to care for yourself.
can I use an online will kit?
Will kits are an attractive option to save money on planning your estate. They are generally suited to younger people with little wealth and assets who do not own property or a business and wish to leave their assets to immediate family. These Kit’s should still be updated when there are significant changes in your circumstances.
While preparing your Will with an experienced lawyer may be a small investment now, it can save your loved ones the added stress and cost in the future if your Will was not accepted by the court during the probate application. Your estate doesn’t need to be wasted on lawyers and fees and can directly benefit your beneficiaries.
Online or ‘mail in’ will kits are not suitable if you have accumulated wealth and assets such as property, investments, or you run your own business. Complex Estate Plans should be created after a Face-to-Face consultation with an expert Will and Estate Lawyer.
While preparing your Will with an experienced lawyer may be a small investment now, it can save your loved ones the added stress and cost in the future if your Will was not accepted by the court during the probate application. Your estate doesn’t need to be wasted on lawyers and fees and can directly benefit your beneficiaries.
Online or ‘mail in’ will kits are not suitable if you have accumulated wealth and assets such as property, investments, or you run your own business. Complex Estate Plans should be created after a Face-to-Face consultation with an expert Will and Estate Lawyer.
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You have Questions. We have Answers.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use an Online Will Kit?
Will kits are an attractive option to save money on planning your estate. They are generally suited to younger people with little wealth and assets who do not own property or a business and wish to leave their assets to immediate family. These Kit’s should still be updated when there are significant changes in your circumstances.
While preparing your Will with an experienced lawyer may be a small investment now, it can save your loved ones the added stress and cost in the future if your Will was not accepted by the court during the probate application. Your estate doesn’t need to be wasted on lawyers and fees and can directly benefit your beneficiaries.
Online or ‘mail in’ will kits are not suitable if you have accumulated wealth and assets such as property, investments, or you run your own business. Complex Estate Plans should be created after a Face-to-Face consultation with an expert Will and Estate Lawyer.
Can I appoint more than one Executor?
Yes you can appoint more than one person to be your executor in the first instance, and they can jointly carry out their duties in administering your estate. You can also appointment someone in substitution in the case your first executor/s is unable to act for any reason.
Can I avoid my Estate being challenged?
It is impossible to avoid your estate being challenged as there is specific legislation which entitles certain people to challenge your estate if they meet the criteria. If you have a concern about your Will being challenged, we can assist in minimising the risk of your Will being challenged in conforming with all requirements and formalities and providing you with specific advice to avoid a challenge. It is important to have your Will prepared by a competent and experienced Will Lawyer as they have experience in preparing effective Wills. If you would like advice about the risk of your estate being challenged and how we can minimise this risk, contact us today to book a consultation with an experienced Wills Lawyer.
Is Superannuaiton covered in my Will?
Superannuation death benefits do not automatically form part of the estate. Although a provision in a will can be of assistance in indicating a person’s wishes, it is usually not binding on the trustee of a superannuation fund.
How can I change my will?
New changes should mean a new Will. Once executed, a Will should not be added to, be pinned or stapled or have a paper clip attached to it, as this may cause your Will to be contested later on. If a Will is to be changed or revoked, it must be correctly done, or there may have disastrous implications. To ensure no complications arise from any changes you wish to make, you should create a whole new Will and destroy the old one. Be sure to keep your Will in a safe place and that your Executor knows where to find it.
Do I need an Estate Plan or a Will?
This decision is up to the individual. We highly recommend an estate plan that includes an Enduring Power of Attorney, Medical Decision maker, and Advanced care directive. This will give your loved one’s peace of mind, direction and authority to make decisions on your behalf even if you become incapacitated. Taking steps to prepare these documents before they are needed is highly advisable.
