Wills and Estates Services
for Clients in Victoria and
NSW
Patford-Smith Legal Services delivers wills and estates solutions across Victoria and NSW. Contact our fully qualified and experienced team for a personalised service to help you get your affairs in order.
We are available to provide assistance in cases where a loved one has lost capacity and there is a need for the formal appointment of a guardian and/or administrator.
In situations where you have concerns regarding the behavior of a current guardian and/or administrator, we can offer guidance by explaining the available options, which may involve pursuing their formal removal.
What is a Will?
At law, a will (also known as a last will and testament) is a legal document in which the will maker (‘the testator’) sets out how they would like their property (the ‘estate’) to be dealt with after their death.
Wills should be updated as your life circumstances change. An example of a common change that may require an update to your Will is the birth of a child or grandchild. Other examples include a change in marital status or financial position.
Thinking of making your own Will? There’s a few reason why you should think again.
- You risk not expressing your intentions clearly enough
- You risk not drawing-up your Will properly
- You may create a tax liability that your beneficiaries will have to pay
There are four things you need to ensure your Will is legally valid:
- It must be in writing (typed or handwritten)
- You must have capacity (you must know what you are doing)
- It must be signed, and
- Your signature must be witnessed by two other people who also need to sign the will.