Wills and Estate Lawyers

Our highly reputed Wills and Estate Lawyers can advise you in all aspects of wills, estates and succession planning.

We provide legal services encompassing Estate Planning, Estate Administration and Estate Litigation.

Our estate lawyers take the time to get to know you, each member of your family and any other stakeholders to ensure we understand your situation and implement the best solution for your circumstances.

Estate Planning

Estate planning is not just about creating a will – it’s a process that focuses on all the financial affairs of a family and their ongoing interests.  Effective estate planning involves implementing a plan that meets your individual needs, protects your interests and minimises potential taxes and fees.

To ensure your estate is administered in the manner you have chosen and to avoid unnecessary complications, it is important to seek professional advice if you intend making a will or updating your estate planning.

There are many objectives to be accomplished through the execution of a will, such as:

• the appointment of an executor, ensuring controlled distribution of assets, which enables and obliges a person’s executor to distribute the person’s assets according to their wishes
• guardianship arrangements for minor children
• business arrangements which ensure the continuation of a business until a buyer can be found or other arrangements made
• GST considerations for the estate
• religious obligations.

We draft realistic and comprehensive legal documents for the smooth transition of your assets, including real estate, business assets, shares, superannuation, life insurance and personal effects.  Our experienced Wills & Estates team is experienced in the preparation of simple to complex wills tailored to your needs.

Clewett Lawyers can also facilitate the safe keeping of your original will, and other personal documents, at no additional cost.

Estate Administration

Clewett Lawyers Wills and Estates team can act in the administration of deceased estates in accordance with the deceased’s will. This may involve obtaining probate where it is required and transferring property, shares and other assets to beneficiaries.

Estate Litigation

Our Wills and Estates legal team is also experienced in complex estate dispute matters, including challenging a will (or defending it), claims for inadequate provision in a will, arguments about the mental capacity of the testator when making a will and when the deceased person died intestate.

Our team has a strong focus on dispute resolution, by negotiation or mediation where appropriate, while being sensitive to the stresses on the parties involved in difficult times.

Our Estate Planning Expertise

● wills
● powers of attorney
● enduring powers of attorney
● advanced health directives
● guardianship
● protective, educational and disability trusts
● administration of estates
● estate disputes and litigation
● superannuation
● pensions
● retirement villages
● business structuring

Our Senior Estate Lawyers

Glen McCracken Estate Lawyer

David Whitehill Estate Lawyer

Further Reading: Wills and Estate Planning