Preparation of Wills
A Will is a written document that sets out the way you want your assets (called your ‘estate’) distributed after your die.
Making a valid Will is the only way to ensure your estate is distributed according to your wishes. All too frequently we find that families experience unnecessary difficulty, delay, worry and expense when a member of the family dies without leaving a valid Will.
It is particularly important to make or update your Will at certain stages of your life, such as:
- If you get married or intend to get married
- If you become involved in a de facto relationship
- If you are separated or divorced
- If new children are born
- If a person named in your current Will dies or becomes unsuitable
- If you acquire a significant asset or investment
- If you purchase any type of real estate
- If you are involved in a business, company or trust
- If you wish to specifically exclude someone from your Will
- If your existing Will leaves property you no longer own
Depending on your particular circumstances, your Will can effectively provide for a range of situations you may face throughout your life. For example, if you are involved in a second marriage and one or both of you have children from previous marriages, it is usually necessary not only to provide for each other, but also to ensure that each other’s children are provided for in the way you both intend. It is impossible to do this without a Will. We can help you plan for these and other situations by explaining your options, and by designing a Will that meets your particular needs.
At Bateman Battersby Lawyers Penrith we also specialise in Testamentary Trusts for people with more complex estate management issues.
We can assist you with all aspects of Wills, and discuss what is suitable for you. Special issues that require consideration when preparing a Will include:
- Reducing likelihood of future disputes/challenge
- Planning for special needs of beneficiaries
- Creating Testamentary Trusts
- Business succession planning
- Superannuation
- Appointing testamentary guardians for minor children