Wills AND Probate

Planning for your family’s future after you’re gone is a really important legal task.

Estate planning is much more than simply having a will. It can include powers of attorney, guardianship matters and even creating a ‘living will’ to detail your desired medical treatment when you are no longer able to give your informed consent.

Probate and disputes over the estate of a loved one are also situations that many people will confront and navigate at some time in their life.

A considered and well-planned estate plan can help you manage your personal, family and business affairs while you are alive. It can also remove uncertainties and stress for loved ones when you pass away.

Melbourne Legal is sensitive to the emotional nature of these legal areas and our team is experienced in helping you find the best solutions for you and your family.

Our will and estate planning lawyers can help:

• Advise you in regard to relevant estate and probate laws
• Advise you in respect of the different types of wills available
• Prepare a will that protects you and your family members
• Advise you in relation to choosing an executor for your will and a guardian if you have young children
• Advise you as to how you can minimise the risk that your will is contested
• Safely store your will and other important legal documents

We can also assist with powers of attorney, which are necessary if in the future you become unable to make decisions about your finances, your medical treatment or living arrangements.

PROBATE AND DECEASED ESTATES

Dealing with a deceased estate can be a challenging process. Navigating the relevant documents and legal terms is difficult when you are grieving the loss of someone important in your life especially if there you are doing so against a background of a simmering family dispute.

We can assist you by preparing the relevant documentation and explaining to you clearly the terms of the will of the deceased and the obligations of the executor of the will. Alternatively, we can advise you as to your rights and the process where the deceased does not have a will. We can prepare the necessary documents required to apply to the Supreme Court of Victoria for probate of the will or for Letters of Administration where there is no will.

We are also able to assist you with administering the estate by calling in the assets of the estate, selling any necessary estate assets, paying the liabilities of the estate and distributing the net assets of the estate to the beneficiaries.