Wills & Estates

Clients come to us when they have concerns about the validity or fairness of a will, or when they need to defend an estate from a challenge. Common scenarios include:

• Belief that the deceased lacked mental capacity to make the will at the time it was signed.
• Undue influence — where another party may have pressured the deceased into making unfair decisions.
• Forgery or fraud, or situations where the deceased may have been tricked into signing.
• Incorrect signing or witnessing, making the will legally invalid.
• Eligible persons left out of the will, or inadequate provision made for family members or dependants.

We listen carefully, explain your rights and options in plain English, and act quickly to protect your position.

We support clients through every stage of a will dispute, including:

• Initial consultation — assessing the situation and advising whether legal grounds exist for a challenge or defence.
• Case evaluation — reviewing the merits of the claim and identifying supporting evidence.
• Evidence gathering — collecting documentation, witness statements, or expert opinions to strengthen your position.
• Preparing legal documents — drafting and filing the necessary paperwork, and notifying and serving documents to relevant parties.
• Mediation and negotiation — working to reach an settlement, if possible, without the need for lengthy litigation.
• Court proceedings — representing you in court if the matter cannot be resolved amicably.

Families choose us for will disputes because we:

• Have a highly experienced estate law team with a proven record of achieving positive outcomes.
• Tailor our legal strategies to your unique circumstances.
• Provide clear, transparent communication, explaining your options without unnecessary legal jargon.
• Are empathetic and supportive, recognising the emotional strain these disputes often bring.
• Have built a strong reputation for resolving matters effectively, whether through settlement or court representation.

We balance strong advocacy with care and understanding — helping you feel supported and informed throughout.

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Clients rely on us to draft a new will, and also to update existing wills.

We follow a trusted process that includes:

• Initial consultation to discuss needs and goals related to the estate planning. Assess the estate, its size and complexity and the best way to approach.
• Understanding estate planning needs including discussion of wishes, guardianship for minor children and any specific bequests.
• Drafting the will for review.
• Client review of the Will and attend to any amendments.
• Provide any legal advice on various aspect of estate planning such as tax implications, trusts, and healthcare directives.
• Finalise the will.

Clients choose us because of our large estate team with extensive knowledge ensuring your Will is comprehensive and adheres to all legal requirements, minimising the risk of disputes or complications in the future. We understand that everyone’s situation is unique, especially when it comes to family dynamics and we tailor our service to that.

Estate planning often involves more than just preparing a Will. Many clients come to us with complex personal, financial, or family circumstances, such as:

• Blended families — ensuring fair distribution among biological children, stepchildren, or estranged relatives.
• Special needs dependants — setting up the right care and financial arrangements for their future.
• Business succession planning — outlining who will take over and how ownership will be transferred.
• Updating existing plans — reflecting changes in your life such as divorce, remarriage, or new assets.
• Superannuation and powers of attorney — ensuring your super, medical decisions, and financial authority are appropriately managed.

We take the time to listen to understand your testamentary wishes, explain your options clearly, and prepare a plan that reflects your wishes while protecting your assets and the interests of your beneficiaries.

Our estate planning process is designed to give you clarity and peace of mind:

• Initial consultation — discussing your wishes and understanding your circumstances.
• Estate assessment — compiling a list of assets, liabilities, and key considerations.
• Setting a clear plan — outlining how your estate will be managed and distributed.
• Drafting essential documents — such as Wills, Testamentary Trust Wills, Codicils, Death Benefit Nominations, Enduring Powers of Attorney, and Appointments of Medical Treatment Decision Maker.
• Regular review — updating your plan as your circumstances, assets, or relationships change.

Clients choose us for estate planning because we:

• Have extensive experience managing estates of all sizes and complexities.
• Provide personalised service, tailoring every plan to the individual client and their family.
• Offer comprehensive support, from wills and asset protection to succession planning and estate administration.
• Maintain transparent communication, explaining everything in plain English.
• Provide ongoing advice, ensuring your estate plan evolves as your life and circumstances do.

With our guidance, you can be confident your affairs are in order and your loved ones are protected.

Families and executors often come to us when a loved one has passed away and they need legal support to:

• Apply for a Grant of Probate of a Will, or alternatively apply for Letters of Administration when there is no Will.
• Settle debts and taxes before assets can be distributed.
• Value and distribute assets such as property, bank accounts, and investments.
• Comply with legal obligations, reducing the risk of disputes or penalties.
• Deal with any estate disputes, complexities or litigation throughout the estate administration process.

We provide reassurance by explaining the steps clearly, taking care of the paperwork, and handling any challenges that arise — so you can focus on your family during a difficult time.

We manage every step of estate administration, including:

• Locating and reviewing the will.
• Applying for Probate or Letters of Administration, if required.
• Preparing an inventory of the estate — including property, bank accounts, investments, and valuables.
• Notifying creditors and settling outstanding debts.
• Distributing the estate to beneficiaries in accordance with the will (or the law, if there is no will).

Clients turn to us for estate administration because we:

• Have extensive experience managing estates of all sizes and complexities.
• Take the time to understand your circumstances and tailor our services to your needs.
• Provide clear communication, so you always know what’s happening and what to expect.
• Offer comprehensive support — from probate and estate planning to administration and dispute resolution.
• Approach every matter with sensitivity, professionalism, and care.

Our goal is to give executors and families confidence that the estate is being managed correctly, efficiently, and with respect for the deceased’s wishes.

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Many clients come to us for Powers of Attorney as part of their broader estate planning, or simply for reassurance that they are prepared if the unexpected happens. Common reasons include:

• Medical emergencies — ensuring someone you trust can make health care decisions quickly if you are incapacitated.
• Financial management — appointing a trusted person to manage bills, accounts, or investments as you age, travel, or face illness.
• Family clarity — reducing uncertainty and conflict by setting out clear authority for decision‑making.

We take the time to understand your personal, financial, and family circumstances, then prepare documents that give you confidence your wishes will be respected.

Our process makes sure your Power of Attorney is tailored, accurate, and legally effective:

• Initial consultation — discussing your needs, objectives, and family or financial circumstances.
• Explaining your options — outlining the different types of Powers of Attorney and their benefits.
• Drafting the documents — selecting attorneys, defining their powers and limitations, and preparing the legal paperwork.
• Review and confirmation — ensuring the documents accurately reflect your wishes.
• Execution — arranging for the signing of documents so they are valid and enforceable.

Clients choose us for Powers of Attorney because we:

• Have extensive knowledge and expertise in estate planning and related legal matters.
• Provide personalised advice, taking the time to listen and understand your circumstances.
• Offer comprehensive support, with expertise across multiple areas of law to address any related issues.
• Are trusted for our reputation and client relationships, with many clients returning to us across generations.

Our approach is thoughtful and thorough — giving you confidence that your affairs are properly managed.

Clients come to us for advice on trusts for many reasons, including:

• Estate planning — setting up discretionary, protective, disability or testamentary trusts.
• Asset protection — shielding personal or family assets from creditors or third‑party claims.
• Business succession — managing the transfer of business assets in a controlled, tax‑effective way.
• Trust administration — ongoing management, compliance, or updating of existing trusts.
• Dispute resolution — resolving conflicts between trustees and beneficiaries, or updating/restructuring trusts when circumstances change.

We provide clear, practical advice tailored to your financial and family situation, ensuring your trust works exactly as intended.

Our trust services include:

• Initial consultation — understanding your goals, family dynamics, and financial circumstances.
• Advice on trust types — explaining the different structures and recommending the best fit for your situation.
• Drafting trust documents — including trustees, beneficiaries, terms, and conditions for management and distribution.
• Funding the trust — retitling assets (property, bank accounts, investments) into the trust’s name.
• Legal compliance — ensuring your trust complies with current laws and addressing any issues that arise.
• Modifications or termination — assisting if a trust needs to be amended, revoked, or wound up.
• Dispute resolution — mediating or litigating where disputes arise between trustees and beneficiaries.

Clients choose us for trust matters because we:

• Bring specialist knowledge and decades of experience in trust law and estate planning.
• Provide personalised service, tailoring solutions to your goals and family circumstances.
• Offer comprehensive legal support, drawing on expertise across multiple areas of law.
• Communicate clearly and consistently, so you always understand your options and obligations.
• Take a holistic approach, ensuring your trust aligns with your wider estate and succession planning.

We don’t take a one‑size‑fits‑all approach — every trust is carefully structured to protect your assets and achieve the outcomes that matter most to you.

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Business owners seek succession planning for many reasons — from protecting investor confidence to ensuring family harmony. We support clients through:

• Investor and financier confidence — a clear succession plan demonstrates foresight and stability, giving confidence to those investing in your business.
• Long‑term survival — ensuring leadership transitions are smooth so the business continues to thrive without interruption.
• Wealth preservation — protecting the value you’ve built and securing your financial legacy.
• Minimising disruption — reducing the risk of disputes and uncertainty by clarifying roles, responsibilities and processes.
• Planning for the unexpected — preparing for scenarios such as sudden illness, disability or death.
• Family business dynamics — balancing relationships, responsibilities and fairness when the business passes to the next generation.
• Tax and legal compliance — structuring the transition to minimise liabilities and ensure all compliance requirements are met.

We provide clear, practical advice and work alongside you to create a succession plan that fits your goals and circumstances.

Our succession planning process is thorough and tailored to your business:

• Initial consultation — understanding your business structure, goals, family dynamics and potential successors.
• Business evaluation — reviewing finances and structure to determine the best approach.
• Identifying successors — choosing the right people and considering training or mentoring needs.
• Drafting legal documents — preparing buy‑sell agreements, estate planning documents, employment contracts and any other necessary paperwork.
• Developing a legal framework — setting clear terms for ownership transfer, management responsibilities and dispute resolution.
• Identifying challenges — addressing potential risks or conflicts before they arise.
• Communication — ensuring stakeholders understand the plan and their role in it.
• Implementation and monitoring — putting the plan into action and reviewing it as circumstances change.

Clients trust us with succession planning because we:

• Have extensive experience managing succession plans for businesses of all sizes — from small family enterprises to large, complex organisations.
• Take a strategic, tailored approach, ensuring every plan reflects the unique needs of the business and its owners.
• Have a proven record of helping business owners transition smoothly while protecting both financial stability and family harmony.
• Provide clear communication and ongoing support, so you feel informed and confident at every stage.

We don’t just prepare documents — we help you protect the future of your business and the people who depend on it.

Family farms are often more than just businesses — they are homes, livelihoods, and legacies. But when it comes time to hand over the reins, complex family dynamics can make succession planning challenging.

We help by:

• Developing clear succession plans that outline farm operations and ownership.
• Balancing the interests of multiple beneficiaries, including situations where not all children want to be involved in the farm.
• Minimising family conflict through open communication and transparent planning.
• Reducing estate taxes with the use of family trusts, partnerships and other structures.
• Valuing farm assets fairly (land, equipment, livestock) to support where possible equitable distribution.
• Supporting retirement planning for outgoing farmers.
• Identifying and preparing successors, including training and guidance for their new role.
• Exploring alternatives such as leasing or selling where no successor is available.
• Guidance in resolving disputes between family members, co‑owners, or partners.
• Ensuring business continuity through every stage of the transition.

Our approach is practical and compassionate — protecting the farm while supporting the people who depend on it.

We provide end‑to‑end support for farm succession planning, including:

• Initial consultation — understanding your goals, needs, and family circumstances.
• Farm structure review — assessing ownership, finances and operations.
• Asset valuation — including land, equipment and livestock.
• Inventory preparation — documenting assets and liabilities.
• Successor identification — defining roles and responsibilities for clarity.
• Legal documentation — drafting wills, trusts, buy‑sell agreements and powers of attorney.
• Transition planning — mapping timelines and steps for the handover.
• Family meetings — facilitating communication and agreement on the plan.
• Review and updates — ensuring the plan evolves with changing circumstances.

Clients trust us with farm succession planning because we:

• Have extensive experience in estate and succession planning for farming families.
• Understand the unique challenges of family farms, including complex dynamics and multiple generations.
• Provide tailored legal structures to protect assets and ensure smooth transitions.
• Communicate clearly and consistently, making a complex process as simple and stress‑free as possible.
• Focus on preserving both the farm’s viability and the family’s relationships.

We’ve guided many farming families through this process helping them achieve clarity and confidence about the future.

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