Wills & Estates

While many people don’t like to think about dying, it is important to remember that your Will can prevent challenges or uncertainties for your loved ones after you have gone.

Your Will is designed to determine what will happen to your property upon your death. You can also appoint an additional guardian for your children. We can help you draft your Will, ensuring that your Estate is managed by appropriate people, and that your property is left to the people you want to leave it to. The law sets out which people you may owe a moral duty to, and this needs to be taken into consideration.

Most people don’t realise that getting married will render any existing Will you have void (unless the Will is specifically drafted “in contemplation of marriage”). This can be particularly important for people marrying for the second or subsequent time. It is also important to note that if your Will is not signed and witnessed correctly, it can be disregarded by the Court. It is therefore very important to seek legal advice when finalising your Will.

Often when people are coping with the loss of a loved one, paperwork is the last thing they want to face. We can help manage all of the administration associated with a person’s Estate after they have died, ensuring their wishes are carried out as outlined in their Will.

We also assist people to bring claims (or to defend claims) against deceased estates, under the Family Protection Act and the Testamentary Promises Act. These situations arise when a person believes that the deceased has not provided adequately for them, or that the deceased has breached a promise made to them.