Having a professional prepared Will drawn up and executed is one of the most important things you can do for the future of your family and those you may leave behind.
If professionally prepared, your Will sets out all of your wishes for how your assets should be distributed, who should look after dependent children and how the rest of your affairs should be dealt with.
Sadly many people pass away without taking care of this important process or they cut corners with a do it yourself Will that completely fails to properly set out their wishes – and leaves problems and potential disputes for loved ones to resolve.
In our experience the cost of a poorly prepared do it yourself Will, after you pass away, is much, much more than the saving you think you’re making.
Gray Lawyers Standard Wills or more detailed advice?
For those that have a relatively straight forward personal and financial situation a Standard Will (customised to your situation) should meet your needs. If have more complex personal, family or asset situations then more specialised clauses may be need in your Standard Will. Either way, you need to ensure you receive advice from an experienced estate planning lawyer which will require a face to face meeting.
Factors requiring a more complex or testamentary trust Will may include blended families, second marriages, concerns over beneficiaries’ financial management, existing trusts, asset values over $1million, ownership of a business or company assets, family owned enterprises, rural holdings and more.
If that’s the case for you we strongly recommend that you contact our parent firm, Clifford Gouldson Lawyers, for a detailed estate wishes interview and planning session.