Wills & Estates

We all appreciate the need to properly care for the future. One of the most difficult things each of us has to do is plan for the future of our family when we are no longer here. At Speakman Lawyers we can assist you with this planning by ensuring that you have the correct Will, an Enduring Power of Attorney in some cases an Advanced Health Direction.

The right Will gives you peace of mind that your wishes will be met on your death. You can ensure the provision is made for your surviving partner, children, step-children or other family members.

We can advise you on whether a Testamentary Trust is appropriate depending upon you particular circumstances. Each of these steps are designed to give you peace of mind.

In the event that a death occurs in the family, the administration of a loved one’s estate can be a complex and difficult task. At Speakman Lawyers we can guide you through this process, whether it be obtaining a Grant of Probate from the Supreme Court or Letters of Administration.

We can assist in ensuring that the wishes of the deceased person are fulfilled and that each of the beneficiaries in the estate receive their appropriate entitlement.

Estate Litigation

In some instances, a Will may be challenged on the basis that it is not valid because the proper legal requirements have not been fulfilled, or alternatively that the person who made the Will did not have the proper capacity to do so.

In other cases, a person may believe that they have received an inadequate benefit or no benefit when in fact they were entitled to expect to be included as a beneficiary of a Will.

In all of the above examples, Speakman Lawyers can assist you in assessing whether you have a legal right to challenge either the validity of the Will or the entitlement made under a Will. In most cases of this nature, the legal costs are paid from the estate, but at all times we can discuss suitable fee arrangements on your behalf.