Approximately half of all Australians die without making a Will, which is referred to as dying “intestate”. Without a valid Will your assets may not be distributed in the way you wish and may result in unnecessary hardship, stress, delay and expense to your family, as your assets will be distributed based on the laws of intestacy.
That is why it is important to take action to ensure that your family is cared and provided for in accordance with your wishes. Preparing a Will can provide you with peace of mind and alleviate any fears or misgivings you may have should the worst come to pass.
Making a Will sets out your specific requirements with regard to the distribution of your assets and may include other specific wishes varying from who will care for your children or pets, to charitable donations, organ donation and specific funeral requirements.
Having these conversations with family and friends outlining your wishes and having a valid Will prepared is vital in ensuring that your loved ones understand your specific directions so that they may be comforted in knowing that they will be following your final wishes.
Other legal documents that can be considered are an Enduring Power of Attorney, Medical Treatment Decision Maker and Advanced Care Directive. These documents record your specific directions in the future and ensure that, whether due to failing health or mental capacity, if you are unable to make decisions regarding financial or medical matters, you will have appointed someone to act for you in accordance with your instructions.
At McKenzie Allen Lawyers our friendly and considerate team is available to help you prepare for and navigate these stressful times.
We understand that addressing sensitive topics can be hard and our staff employ a personal approach and are always open to discussing matters face-to-face at our offices.
We also understand that many of our clients lead busy lives, so we offer discussions via telephone or video conferencing when appropriate.
Our team is experienced in providing clients with solutions to a wide range of complex issues that arise in Wills, Estate planning and Succession law and are equipped with the experience and knowledge necessary to ensure that your wishes and instructions are adhered to and that your family are better prepared in the face of an unforeseen tragedy.
