What’s involved in an Estate Planning Review?
There are many reasons why you may want to have your estate plan reviewed by us. Here are just some of them:
Your personal or financial circumstances have changed such as health changes, changes in relationships, children growing up and finances being reconfigured due to retirement.
The circumstances of a beneficiary or executor under your Will, or an attorney under your Enduring Power of Attorney, may be different now. Key decision makers may be experiencing a deteriorating health, personal or financial situation, for example. As children get older, they may be able to take on the roles formerly given to friends or other close family members. Are your beneficiaries in need of asset protection due to rocky relationships or a relationship breakdown, bankruptcy, etc.
You just want to make changes to your gifts in your Will or Super nomination to benefit a different beneficiary or reduce or delete an inheritance to an existing beneficiary.
Perhaps none of your circumstances have changed but it’s been a while since you did your estate planning so you are wanting to do a ‘health check’ to ensure that everything is still current and in order.
Whatever your situation, Estate First is here to assist you to put in place the changes that are needed to ensure your testamentary wishes are given effect.
It’s not simple!
Small changes can have a big impact and they can affect a number of documents. For example, if you wish to reduce a child’s gift in the Will, the child may have a greater chance of an estate claim. If you want to replace an executor, maybe due to age or incapacity, they may have other roles, such as an attorney in your Enduring Power of Attorney. These seemingly harmless modifications can have significant legal consequences.
Also, the law has strict requirements on how Wills, Enduring Powers of Attorney and other testamentary documents are worded, the format that they are kept in (hard copy) and how they are signed and witnessed. Failure to follow these very formal rules can put your estate wishes in jeopardy and cause significant expense after your death.
Remember – you will not be around to fix it!
Is it time for a Review?
Whether you are wanting to make changes to your estate plan or just want the assurance of knowing everything is still up to date and in order, this educational video will inform you on what is involved, when a review is important and the tried and true legal process you can expect when you come back to review your Estate Plan.
Presented by Ann Janssen, Accredited Specialist in Succession Law, Founder and Divisional Head of Estate First Lawyers.
Your testamentary documents speak for you when you are unable to do so
You have spent time and money crafting a robust estate plan, but like anything of value, you need to keep it maintained if it is to do the job you want it to.
Our unique ‘4 easy steps’ makes the process easy
Expert Estate Planning with Fixed Fees
Make An Appointment
Our Client Liaison Officers are happy to help you.
- Phone: 1300 132 567
- Email: [email protected]
- Online Request Form
Lawyer Review of your Estate Plan
For the small fixed fee quoted, one of our expert estate lawyers will review your file and the documents we drafted in preparation for your meeting.
Meet With Your Lawyer
Whether we meet virtually or face to face, we will listen to your request, assess your circumstances and provide you with legal advice for your situation. If further work is required, we will provide you with a fixed fee quote.
Final Document Meeting
If further work is required, we will go through your final documents together to ensure the plan is exactly what you want and all documents are correctly signed and witnessed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Testimonial
"Estate First were recommended by our financial advisors – the process of updating our wills and power of attorney documents was easy and straightforward with plenty of advice and discussion about things we were not sure of. We appreciate their help in facilitating a not particularly pleasant process in such a friendly and helpful way."
Testimonial
"Really, I had little understanding of the way in which wills work and don’t work. Our lawyer was a delight to work with. Nothing was too much trouble for them and they went to great lengths to answer our questions and ensure our understanding of everything. My husband and I have a peace now about what we leave behind for our family."
Testimonial
"This is the third time I’ve done my estate planning in 15 years and by far the most efficient, professional and genuine not to mention thorough! I’ve recommended Estate First Lawyers to others and will continue to do so. It was a seamless process and for busy people like me it was made easy. I received really valuable advice and different options."
Testimonial
"The services provided by Estate First Lawyers in updating our wills has been transformative. Their specialist in depth knowledge and advice has given us greater protection in safeguarding our family estate. Best of all their advice has provided us with a greater peace of mind knowing our new wills are now fit for purpose."
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