Our practice offers experienced advice and services in the deceased estates area.
This is a complimentary practice area to our Wills practice and our experience in this area helps us to foresee problems which arise and can be addressed by a well-drafted will.
Our services include:
- providing sensitive telephone advice to family members and appointed executors following the death of a loved one
- considering and advising appointed executors and beneficiaries on the terms of the will
- advising on the law should the deceased person not have left a valid or any will
- meeting with family at an appointed venue to formally read the will if requested – this is an English practice which is not often followed in Australia
- meeting with the appointed executor and invited family members to obtain details of the estate assets and liabilities and advise on what action is required to administer the estate
- writing to asset holders seeking written confirmation of the value of assets at the time of death
- dealing with claims by disappointed family members and advice on ways to avoid the dissipation of the estate by avoiding protracted litigation
- where appropriate and if instructed, prepare an application for probate or letters of administration
- gathering up the assets
- paying debts from estate assets
- transferring or assisting with the sale of estate real properties
- distributing gifts to beneficiaries
- advice to disappointed family members or others who consider provision should have been made for them by the deceased