Anyone over 18 years of age can make a will.  In addition, anyone under 18 years of age that is married can also make a will.  

A well-written Solicitor drafted Will could last a lifetime, however, whenever there is a significant life event such as a marriage, divorce, relationship changes, births/deaths of beneficiaries, disability/illness, inheritance, retirement, or superannuation changes, it is advisable to update your Will or at the very least discuss the possible legal ramifications with your Solicitor.  

It is also important to ensure the executors of your Will are up to date with your wishes.

At LWA Solicitors, we charge $660 inclusive of GST for a single standard Will and $1,100 for a standard couple Will. We can also store your original Will in our safety packets for no additional charge. 

There’s no such thing as “free” when it comes to Wills.  Often, such “free” Wills cost your loved ones in the form of exorbitant fees and delays after your death.  

When dealing with grief, the last thing you want for your family is confusion or conflict.

There are a few things to consider before creating your Will:

• Who do you want to appoint as executor?

• Who do you want to inherit your property?

• Who do you want to become guardian for your children (should they be under 18 years of age)?

• If you are leaving your property to someone with a disability or a child, how do you want that to be managed?

Probate is where the Supreme court rules that a Will is valid.  It gives the executor the authority to administer the estate.  

Banks and Retirement Villages often require probate to be completed.  It will usually take 2-3 months but can potentially take longer in some circumstances.

An executor is an individual(s) that you appoint to administer and distribute your estate according to your wishes after your death.  

For more information about the responsibilities, see our blog on this topic