IT’S ABOUT MAKING A WILL
A Will is a very important legal document which ensures that your assets are distributed
according to your wishes after you die. Your Will can cover all your assets such as your
house, land, car, shares, bank accounts, superannuation and insurance policies.
Any person aged 18 or older and of sound mind can make a Will.
IS THERE SUCH A THING AS A 'FREE' WILL?
There is no such thing as a ‘free’ Will despite
offers of the Public Trustee and Trustee
companies to prepare your Will free of
charge. These trustees appoint themselves
as executor and after your death can charge
a commission usually calculated as a
percentage of the value of your estate.
This can easily run into thousands and
sometimes tens of thousands of dollars.
Munro Thompson only charges you a one-off
fee for preparing your Will and you can choose
your own Executor.
Ask us about the cost of preparing your Will.
You will be surprised at how inexpensive such
an important document is!
OUR SERVICE TO YOU
We appreciate the importance of your
personal affairs. Throughout our relationship
you will receive specialist guidance to
assist you in your decisions. Our specialist
Succession Lawyer will be responsible
for preparing your Will and will meet you
personally to discuss your wishes. You will be
kept informed every step of the way.
Your Will is an extremely important document
and there are many different issues to
consider. Allowing us to act as your specialist
representative will ensure that this personal
document is given the thorough attention it
deserves.
OUR GUARANTEE
We guarantee professionalism, personal
service and knowledge. If you are not 100%
satisfied with the quality of our service, we
will do whatever is necessary to guarantee
your satisfaction.
MUST I MAKE A WILL?
You have no legal obligation to make a Will,
but it is a wise choice.
What will happen if I don’t make a Will?
If you die without having made a Will, your
assets will be distributed according to a rigid
government formula.
This formula may:
-
force the sale of your family home so that
other beneficiaries can receive their share
of the assets
-
not provide future financial protection for
your spouse, children or grandchildren
-
leave incapacitated members of your
family without adequate support
-
give your assets to the government, if you
have no relatives
You will also have no say in who administers
your estate and who is appointed guardian of
your children if they are under 18 years of age.
PREPARING YOUR WILL
A Will is an important legal document which
should be prepared by an experienced
solicitor.
Before visiting your solicitor, consider:-
-
who to appoint as your executor
-
who to appoint as guardian of your children
-
do you wish to be cremated or buried
-
do you wish to be an organ donor
-
what are your current assets and liabilities
-
who should receive your assets
We maintain a safe storage facility for all your
important documents such as your Will which
is kept securely locked at all times. Your
security documents can only be released with
your written consent.
CHANGES TO YOUR WILL
You are free to alter your Will at any time and
as often as you wish.
On marriage, your current Will is
automatically invalid unless it specifically
states that it is made in contemplation of
marriage. If you divorce, your divorced spouse
is not entitled to any gift previously expressed
in your Will unless you specify otherwise.
CAN I PREPARE MY OWN WILL?
You can prepare your own Will but you do so
at the risk of causing emotional and financial
stress to your family and loved ones.
When preparing a Will, a range of strict
requirements must be followed to ensure
your Will is valid.
If your Will is considered invalid then you are
considered not to have a Will or an earlier Will
may apply if one existed.
If your Will is considered valid but your
words do not express your wishes accurately
according to the law, then your Will may need
to be interpreted by a Court with the legal
costs being paid out of your estate.
