estate administration
Transparency in Estate Planning
Family dynamics can be intricate, and sadly, disputes sometimes arise when it comes to estate planning. A lack of transparency regarding a loved one’s Will can intensify these situations and often lead to Will challenges. This blog post emphasises the critical importance of fostering open communication and transparency amongst family members to help minimise the … Read more
Timely Lodging of a Grant
We sometimes get calls from clients who are concerned they need to engage our services to start working on the estate within a couple of days of their loved one’s passing. We generally advise these clients that there is no rush and that there is not much we can do until the Death Certificate has … Read more
What if I don’t want to be an executor?
Someone you know has died and you find out that you have been appointed as an Executor of their Will. As an Executor, you will need to prove their Will to the Probate Office and then administer the estate. You might not have known they had appointed you and you don’t want to or don’t … Read more
Foreign Beneficiaries and the FIRB
There used to be an exemption for property acquired under a Will. That changed in January 2021 when that exemption was removed. A beneficiary of Australian property under a Will who is not ordinarily resident in Australia (which includes both foreign citizens and Australian citizens residing overseas) is now required to obtain approval from the … Read more
Transfer of Property on Death
Ever wonder what happens to your property when you die? Well, it all depends on how the property was owned during your lifetime. There are three main ownership types, sole ownership, joint proprietors or tenants-in-common. Sole Ownership If you own property in just your name, upon your death this property will pass according to your … Read more
What happens after Probate?
Once it has been determined that a Grant of Representation is required and it has been obtained, it is now time to deal with the assets of the estate. The first step is for the executors to decide what to do with each asset. Any assets that have been specifically gifted to a beneficiary will … Read more
What is Probate?
Simply put, Probate is a court issued document that confirms the Will of the deceased is valid and validates the appointment of the person nominated as Executor in the Will. The Executor will need to obtain a Grant of Probate before they can administer and distribute the estate. The official term for Probate is a … Read more