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Book an appointment with one of our Wills & Estate Planning team today.
We’ll provide expert advice tailored to your individual circumstances.
Ensure peace of mind and financial security as you get older. Trust your estate planning to our experienced team.
Estate planning ensures that when you pass away your loved ones are provided for and your assets are distributed according to your wishes. It also involves managing your affairs while you’re still alive to ensure that you’re protected and continue to be protected in the event that you lose the capacity to make important decisions for yourself.
Wills & Estate Planning Experience & Testimonials
Wills & Estate Planning Services
Wills: A Will sets out how you wish to distribute your assets after death. It is one of the most important documents you will ever sign. We can prepare your Will and ensure your wishes are protected.
Power of Attorney: Nominating an Attorney gives you peace of mind knowing that someone you trust will be able to make important financial decisions for you when you are unable to make them yourself. We will give you the best possible advice to ensure your financial affairs are managed according to your wishes.
Enduring Guardianship: Nominating an Enduring Guardian gives you peace of mind that someone you trust will make lifestyle decisions on your behalf, if you do not have the capacity to make them yourself.
Elder Law: As we grow older, we are faced with making decisions that can impact our quality of life, dignity, financial security and relationships. We will provide a compassionate and friendly approach and accurate advice and help you make the best decisions.
Preparation of a Will allows you to express your wishes as to how your assets are distributed upon your death. It is one of the most important documents you will ever sign. We can prepare your Will and ensure your wishes are protected.
Nominating an Attorney gives you peace of mind knowing that someone you trust will be able to make important financial decisions for you when you are unable to make them yourself. We will give you the best possible advice to ensure your financial affairs are managed according to your wishes.
In Estate Planning, an Enduring Guardianship gives you peace of mind that one or multiple people to make lifestyle decisions on your behalf in the event that you are unable to make them yourself.
As we grow older, we are faced with making decisions that can impact our quality of life, dignity, financial security and relationships. We will provide a compassionate and friendly approach and accurate advice and help you make the best decisions.
Frequently Asked Questions
It is best for anyone over 18 years of age who has assets of any kind to get their Estate Planning sorted as soon as possible. This is especially important for anyone with dependents, such as children, whose lives would be impacted significantly by your death. Our lawyers have extensive experience within this field, and are more than happy to walk you through the process.
A Will is a complex legal document that outlines how you wish to distribute your assets after death. You will have to nominate a person, known as the Executor, to manage and distribute your estate after you die. For a Will to be valid, it must be in writing, and it must be signed by the Will-maker with the intention of executing the Will. The document must also be witnessed and signed by two or more people, NOT including the maker of the Will.
Your Will should include a list of beneficiaries and appoint an Executor who you can trust with the responsibility of carrying out your intentions. Your Executor can be the same person as your beneficiaries. If you wish to make any specific gifts of property you should include this in your Will. You may also include your wishes for funeral arrangements and the disposal of your body after death.
An Enduring Guardian is a person you appoint to make decisions on your behalf. Unlike a Power of Attorney, an Enduring Guardian can make arrangements for things like where you live, what services are provided to you at home, and what medical treatment you receive, including palliative care and life-extending treatments. An Enduring Guardianship only comes into effect if you are incapable of making these decisions for yourself. It is a good way to plan for any future, unpredictable situations.
A Power of Attorney is a document which allows you to appoint a person (the Attorney) to make decisions on your behalf. Unlike an Enduring Guardian, Attorneys can make financial decisions. The predominant reason you might appoint an Attorney is to prepare for the possibility of becoming incapable of making such decisions for yourself. You can still maintain control over your financial affairs and revoke the Power of Attorney at any time, provided you have the capacity to understand the implications of doing so.
As we grow older, we are faced with making decisions that can impact our quality of life, dignity, financial security and relationships. Some of these choices are quite complex and with Australia’s ageing population, an increasing number of people are becoming exposed to unique legal issues. Our team can help you navigate other aspects of Elder Law, including (but not limited to) the protection of assets, living arrangements, Home Equity schemes, and conveyancing.
Newcastle & Lake Macquarie Wills & Estate Planning Team
Chris Berryman
Liz McIntyre
