Estate Planning and the making of a Will is something that many of us leave as a task for another day. While this is a completely normal human nature, it is important to make sure your wishes will be followed and your family looked after into the future.
Our Wills and Estates lawyer, Sean Henry, understands the importance of listening to his clients to identify their particular needs.
It can be tempting to save cost and complete a Will kit or otherwise, however to ensure your wishes are carried out we recommend a carefully drafted Will based on your particular circumstances.
Similarly, preparing Powers of Attorney at an early stage can avoid future uncertainty and legal expense should the unexpected befall you or one of your loved ones. The thought of events that would necessitate a Power of Attorney can certainly be unpleasant, however by investing a small amount of time in the appropriate safeguards, the future arrangements for you and your family can be secured.
We offer fixed fees for Wills and Powers of Attorney. Discounted rates are available for retirees and pensioners.
Contact our office to discuss your needs in a free no obligation chat.
+ Wills and Estate Planning
Making a Will is an important decision to plan the future of your family. Whether your estate is simple or complex we will take the time to understand your particular needs and implement the most effective estate plan for you and your family.
For simple Wills we offer fixed rates that are discounted for retirees and pensioners.
For more complex estate structuring we will discuss your needs at a free first initial consultation and then provide you with a fixed fee once the appropriate structure for you is determined.
We know that making an estate plan is one of the less palatable experiences in life, and for this reason we will listen to you and action your wishes so that you may get on with life knowing your family's future is secure.
+ Superannuation and Binding Death Benefit Nominations
To leave your superannuation and any attached benefits to a loved one it is important to have a valid Binding Death Benefit Nomination. If you do not have a Binding Death Benefit Nomination there is high risk that your superannuation will not be received by your intended loved one and the superannuation fund may decide who gets your superannuation.
Click here to find out about making a Binding Death Benefit Nomination.
+ Powers of Attorney
A power of attorney is a document which gives someone you trust the power to make decisions on your behalf if you become unable to make decisions yourself. Unlike a will, this document only operates while you are still alive. It is common to draft both a will and power of attorney at the same time. There are three types of power of attorney documents:
- General power of attorney
- Enduring Power of Attorney and
- Advance Health Directive.
We can assist you and your family with the preparation of the above documents with fixed fees for your peace of mind.
Click here to find out more about the types of Powers of Attorney.
+ Deceased Estates Administration
The administration of an estate can be a complex task to ensure the wishes of the testator are completed as they intended.
Taxation, probate applications, collecting assets and disbursement of funds can involve significant complication at a time of high emotion and stress. We will explain and manage each step of the process in an empathetic, efficient, and practical way to resolve the administration of the estate as soon as possible.
The wishes of a loved one will never include the intent that their estate be consumed by legal fees of the lawyer administering the estate. In all matters we offer a initial free consultation with you and then provide you with estimates for each stage of the work upfront. Because we value our clients and our reputation we provide efficient cost effective legal solutions for our clients.
+ Contesting Wills and Estate Litigation
We can assist with contesting Wills, family provision applications, disputes regarding the validity of Wills, and other claims regarding deceased estates.
In some cases dispute resolution is a cost effective possibilty to resolving an estate dispute. In other situations Court Application will be necessary to protect the interest of you and your family. In either siuation we will investigate the siuation and then provide advice tailored to your needs to produce a favourable outcome.
If you have an estate litigation dispute or wish to contest a Will, contact Sean Henry of our office to discuss your situation at a free initial consultation. Sean will listen to you, provide some initial advice, and outline the costs expected to obtain an efficent and favourable outcome.
+ Testamentary Trusts
A Testamentary Discretionary Trust can be an upgrade over a typical “Simple Will”.
When you make a Will you have the choice to include what’s called a testamentary discretionary trust.
Testamentary discretionary trusts are a popular estate planning tool that can provide a range of benefits for the beneficiaries including tax advantages, asset protection from creditors, protection from marriage breakdown, and protection for young children.
