Wills

Simple Wills

Clear, Straightforward Coverage

A Simple Will is a practical way to outline your wishes. You can appoint an Executor, name guardians for young children, leave specific gifts, and clearly direct how the rest of your estate should be distributed.

Need Something More Complex? We've Got You Covered.

Every family is different. You might have a blended family, a vulnerable beneficiary, or more complex assets like a self-managed super fund, a family trust, or a business. Whatever your situation, we can help you find the right solution.

Consider a Testamentary Discretionary Trust Will

If your estate is more substantial, a Testamentary Discretionary Trust Will might be the right option. This type of Will sets up one or more trusts after your death for your beneficiaries and their families. It’s a powerful estate planning tool that offers tax advantages and protects your loved ones’ inheritance from potential risks like bankruptcy, divorce, or legal claims.

We’ll guide you through the options and tailor a strategy to suit your needs.

Estate Planning

Why would you go to the effort of having a Will prepared if you weren’t going to provide for the other two potential situations – the need for an Enduring Power of Attorney and an Enduring Power of Guardianship. Together, these three documents form the foundation of your forward planning. Click here to see ‘Package Fees’.

A Will only activates upon death. But what about incapacity due to accidents or old age? During your lifetime, you may need to appoint someone you trust to make financial and lifestyle decisions for you. That’s’ where Enduring Powers of Attorney and Guardianship are essential. At CB Wills™, we think the three documents (Will + EPA + EPG) should definitely go hand-in-hand. It is a full estate plan, and that is why I’m offering a package  that is priced to make your decision even easier.

Probate & Estate Administration

Managing a deceased estate

The task of managing a deceased estate requires work, time, very precise documents, and some running around.  You need to get permission from the Supreme Court before you can manage the estate.  If there is a Will, the process is called applying for a grant of probate.  To obtain probate you need to prove to the Supreme Court:

•   That the person who made the Will has died;

•   That the Will is valid;  and

•   That you are the legitimate person to manage, or administer, the estate.

If there is no Will you need the Supreme Court to grant you Letters of Administration, which is a more complicated process.

With or without a Will, you need to properly prepare all of the documents for the Court, including:

•    a Motion for the grant of Probate or Letters of Administration;

•    a sworn affidavit;  and

•    a statement of the deceased’s assets and liabilities in the legislated format.

The Court’s requirements are very precise for exactly how each document should be written.  You will also need to correctly prepare other legal documents, depending upon the circumstances, such as:

•          Letters of Consent; 

•          Statutory Declarations;

•          notices to beneficiaries;

•          public notices; 

•          statements of account;  and

•          Letters of Release.

After you have been granted probate or Letters of Administration you can administer the estate to sort out everything, to wind up the estate, and to extinguish your liability.  You are personally liable for any loss if you do not administer the estate properly.

I can help with any part of the task, no matter how small.  You can do all of the work by yourself, but it can be easier with legal help in some areas. 

My fees structure allows you to customize the service I provide.  You pay for only those components of the task as and how you choose, “piece by piece”, from the complete suite of full legal services.  Because you are not paying a lump sum for the whole task, or for work you’d prefer to do by yourself, your fees will be much lower.

Call me to learn how he can help with any part of this task, no matter how small.  Because my mobile service drives to meet you at your convenience, you save time, and your fees are lower because you are not paying for an expensive lawyers office.