Why write a Will? Having your wishes crystal clear in a Will is perhaps one of the most important things that you can do for your family.

Regardless of your circumstances, without a Will you will be leaving your family extra work. 

Early on, your family can’t even legally start sorting out your Estate themselves – State Trustees has control of your money, personal property, your business (if a sole trader) and your house/land.  Your family only take the reigns after they find the time and energy to successfully apply to the Supreme Court to be appointed Administrator.  And yes, generally this application involves the expense and hassle of retaining a lawyer. 

Another issue your family faces is working out who can inherit.  If you die without a Will, you die intestate, which means the Administration and Probate Act decides who will inherit your Estate – and it’s pretty narrow.  Only your closest family member/s can inherit according to a set list – whether you liked them or not. 

There are several ways that this can be challenged – but each of them involve yet another application to the Supreme Court, without being sure of success.  And if your family don’t agree, because they have different opinions about what your wishes were or what they deserve, then you can expect a contest in court.  It almost goes without saying that it doesn’t take much time in court to significantly reduce, if not wipe out, a person’s Estate.

So, if you want to make it easier for your family during a time of grief, make your wishes crystal clear in a Will. At Your Will’s principal lawyer, Donna Farrell, is happy to talk you through how to best avoid the many problems which may arise when you don’t have a Will.

To find out more about the Will service provided by AT YOUR WILL, click here.