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Wills

Lawyers specialising in Wills.

What you need to know.

Why do you need a Will?

A Will significantly simplifies looking after your estate when you’re gone.

It tells the world (including the banks you have monies with, companies you hold insurance or investments with and the land titles office if you own property) who they can deal with.

 

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A Will significantly simplifies looking after your estate when you’re gone.

It tells the world (including the banks you have monies with, companies you hold insurance or investments with and the land titles office if you own property) who they can deal with.

This may seem obvious but, practically speaking, this can make the difference between a frustrating exercise for your family and a process which is more bearable. A Will is a game changer.

What is an executor?

The executor(s) of your Will are the person(s) who have authority and responsibility for looking after your estate once you die. They are the recognised authority figures. You can have up to 4 executors (although appointing less than 4 can often be best). An executor can be anyone over 18 years of age. Quick tip: they should be someone you trust who is good with paperwork.

What is a beneficiary?

The beneficiaries under your Will are those you want to provide for and/or leave gifts for. You can make specific gifts (i.e. specific items/property/jewellery/money) and/or you can give your estate in equal or unequal shares/percentages. You can hold back gifts until a beneficiary reaches a certain age. 

What is a minor beneficiary?

In NSW a beneficiary can’t inherit until they are 18 years old. A minor beneficiary would usually have their inheritance looked after by the executor (trustee) until they are of age. Another quick tip: be mindful of your executor(s) age and willingness to potentially look after a youngster’s inheritance for years into the future.

How to appoint a guardian in your Will

Your Will can appoint guardian(s) for your underage children and can decide at what age you want your children to receive their inheritance (as long as they are at least 18 years of age).

Funeral arrangements in your Will

While your Will can include wishes on funeral arrangements and/or ashes being deposited, this is best communicated to your executor and family as your Will may not be read until after arrangements are made. Filling out an estate planning booklet with the information your family will need is very important. We can help with this. 

Is your Will good enough?

You can check the basics yourself; read your Will and see whether you still want your appointed executor(s) to be the person(s) with control of your estate and whether the beneficiaries are as you want them. Changes in address aren’t important.

What revokes a Will?

If any of these apply to you, pretty please update your Will:

  • if someone in your Will has died
  • if you have already disposed of something to be gifted in your Will
  • if you have married or divorced
  • if you have separated
  • if you have started a new de facto relationship

What happens if you don’t have a Will?

Despite popular opinion, if you don’t have a Will it is unlikely the government will receive your estate. NSW legislation will decide how your surviving de facto/spouse/children/next of kin receive your assets…whether or not this is how you would have wanted your estate distributed.

How much does a Will cost?

We offer fixed fee pricing so you know what you’re up for upfront and with full transparency. We have a blackboard pricing list for all our legal services, including Wills and Estate Planning documents that can be accessed here.

Why choose Copeland Estates Legal to be your Wills & Estate Planning Lawyer?

Copeland Estates Legal provides legal advice and documents prepared by an experienced lawyer who deals exclusively in Estate Planning law and Deceased Estates law. You know, the whole life cycle.  We take the time to provide you with information, assess your options and provide advice so that you can be sure that your Will reflects your wishes and gives the most effective protection against claim.  Preparing Wills is not simply an additional service or an afterthought for us, we take pride in our work and give you the benefit of our years of experience, training and skills. Put simply, we give you our best. 

And unlike traditional law firms, we look after you from the comfort of your own home. We are online for your convenience. No need to carve out a section of your busy day to drive to a stuffy lawyer’s office and wait for them to get around to seeing you. We use everyday, accessible technology – such as zoom, phone, email – to meet you, get to know you, answer your questions and provide you with the right legal advice and prepare the right legal documents to make sure your loved one’s wishes are carried out.

How do I get a Will? 

Book in a free 10 minute chat with a lawyer here or send us an email here or at [email protected] so we can get you started.

We’ll look after you.