Many of us know how important it is to take great care when asked to sign legal documents correctly, and it’s particularly important when it comes to Wills. Over the years we have seen many Wills deemed invalid for no other reason than they weren’t signed properly. You may wonder what exactly that means. Legal
The idea of estate planning can sometimes seem strange, as it is something that doesn’t typically come into effect in your lifetime. It may seem hard to see the direct benefits, but the same argument could be said for insurance in many ways. In fact, estate planning does matter a lot, particularly to your loved
In Wills and Estate Planning every one of our clients and their individual situations are unique, but there is one thing many of them have in common. Most people who speak to us share a similar feeling of being overwhelmed or confused about parts of the process involved to create a Will and Estate Plan.
Choosing an Executor for your estate is an important decision, but selecting the right person for the job isn’t enough if you want your estate to be administered in a timely, and the least painful manner. Once you have chosen an Executor it’s important to consider how you can make their job easier for them.
Recent legislation changes in Australia now mean same-sex couples can legally marry, but it also changes succession planning laws. While it may be the last thing on many same-sex couples minds as they plan their wedding celebrations, the amendment to the definition of marriage has important implications for Wills and Estate Planning they should consider.
To say that the modern family looks a little different to families of generations past would be an understatement. Modern families come in all shapes and sizes – blended, single-parent, same-sex, traditional nuclear family – which creates unique sets of challenges when it comes to estate planning. Add to this the exceedingly busy lives we all
It can be incredibly easy to breathe a sigh of relief after getting a Will and Estate Plan done, congratulating ourselves on securing our legacy and a future for our loved ones. We happily file away the paperwork and then forget about it. But what many people don’t realise is just how important it is to
Over the years we have seen the same topics and issues arise again and again with our clients. While every person’s situation is unique, when it comes to Wills and Estates there are some common things everyone needs to know about. So we have dug into our archives to deliver you the top 5 Wills
Many of us look forward to retiring, looking at it as a chance to put our feet up and relax. After decades of hard work we all deserve a chance to take a break, but we shouldn’t take our foot off the accelerator all together. More and more evidence points to the importance of maintaining
Blended families are increasingly common but not all look like the Brady Bunch, which is why greater care needs to be taken when it comes to estate planning for modern families. Even the happiest and most balanced traditional families can come to blows at difficult times, such as administering the estate of a loved
“Could you please pass the turkey, and let’s talk about Wills.” Estate planning may not be an obvious subject to discuss over the Christmas table, but the holiday season is an ideal opportunity to have these important conversations.
Preparing for major surgery can be incredibly stressful. With any surgery there are always risks, but there are also other ‘what-ifs’ that can cause concern. However with a little forward thinking and planning your can take some of the stress out of this time. Here our essential planning tips to prepare you for
Elder Law focuses on the unique challenges, rights and responsibilities of aged people and their loved ones. There are a wide range of laws in place to protect ageing individuals, their property and wealth. Navigating this complex area can seem overwhelming at times, which is why it’s important to find a legal professional with experience
One of the biggest concerns we hear about making a Will or Estate Plan, is that it can seem a little overwhelming. This is why we have created Your Ultimate Guide to Wills & Estate Planning. In this free 20 page guide you will discover everything you need to know about making a Will, as well
You may not be surprised to learn that we recommend most people engage a suitably qualified legal professional to develop their Will and Estate Plan. After all we’re Wills and Estates lawyers. But setting any cynicism you may have aside for a moment, I would like to emphasise that this is the case for ‘most’
Dealing with Wills and Estate Planning can seem a little overwhelming at times, but even more so when trying to understand a bunch of legal terms. Here’s our guide to help you make sense of the most common terms.
In our last post we talked about the importance of creating a future life plan for loved ones with disabilities. Once you have established a framework and support network that will secure your loved one’s wellbeing, you need to make financial and legal provisions needed to support the implementation of the plan. A
One of the biggest concerns parents and carers of people with a disability face, is how their loved one will be supported in the future, when they’re unable to, or are no longer here. While many people with a disability are able to make their own decisions or actively participate in decision making, some
Let’s face it no one likes to speak about death or dying, but this is exactly what you need to do when it comes to estate planning. While it can be uncomfortable and difficult to speak about what will happen when someone dies, it’s also incredibly important to do so.
Setting up a Testamentary Trust as part of your Will can provide many benefits including family law and asset protection, as well as taxation advantages.
