Will
Informal Wills
In order to make a valid Will, there are two basic requirements: The Will must be in writing. The Will must be signed in front of two witnesses. The Wills Act 1997 sets out further obligations on how to comply with the above requirements which can be quite technical. There are ways to prove a…
Read MoreLeaving Gifts in Wills
We often get asked by our clients how they can leave a gift in their Will for their loved ones. The gifting wishes of each client varies; some choose to gift a particular piece of jewellery while others have a long list of items they wish to gift to different people. There are many types…
Read MoreDigital Assets
In our ever growing and changing world, the type of assets we hold at the time of our deaths are also evolving. In addition to real property and personal property we now also have digital property. These can be categorised into two main categories – Digital Records are items that are not strictly the user’s…
Read MoreStoring Your Will and Who to Inform of Its Location
A question we get asked often is ‘how do our loved ones know to contact Legal Essentials should something happen to us?’. Unfortunately, there is no magic way that they know to. It depends on you as the Will maker to inform your loved ones and specifically the people you have named as Executors in…
Read MoreSMSFs & BDBNs
In our last article we wrote about putting in place your binding death benefit nomination (BDBN) in your superannuation. In this article we would like to refer to superannuation held in a Self-Managed Superannuation Fund, an SMSF for short. Same as your industry owned superannuation, you can name a beneficiary to inherit your superannuation under…
Read MoreWho should I name as my Superannuation beneficiary?
As part of our estate planning services, we will talk to you about your superannuation and if you have a binding death benefit nomination in place. Generally, your superannuation does not form part of your estate and is not distributed under your Will. If you do not have a binding death nomination in place upon…
Read MoreElectronic Witnessing of Wills and Powers of Attorney
Last year was a difficult year for Wills & Estates lawyers. When COVID-19 hit, lawyers had to work from home and could no longer have face-to-face meetings with their clients. A big problem quickly arose, how could our clients sign their Wills in front of two witnesses when they were unable to leave their homes…
Read MoreLooking After Vulnerable Beneficiaries – Protective Trusts
Many clients come to us with questions about how to look after someone with particular needs after their death. This could be an adult child with a disability or an adult child whom you are concerned will simply waste their inheritance. Whilst there are several options for these beneficiaries depending on your circumstances, one of…
Read MoreGuardianship of your children
A guardianship clause in your Will is your opportunity to nominate who will look after and care for your children when you die. The guardianship clause in your Will is an indication of your wishes only and as such is not binding. The person you have appointed as your guardian can be challenged by an…
Read MoreRight to Reside v Life Interest
When you own a property or part of a property in your own name, your Will controls what happens to that property. We often see clients wishing to provide a loved one (usually a spouse) with the ability to live in that house, and yet still ensuring that the house ultimately ends up with someone…
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