I love Will Kits! Strange for a lawyer to say that isn’t it? I love them because no matter how many I see there are always problems with them, not necessarily by the form itself but by the way people complete them (or sometimes don’t complete them). And in my world, problems equals profits. The […]
For a long time now I have been an outspoken critic of the trend for governments to move towards heavy taxes being imposed on Australians for probate services. Last April (2016) I responded to the latest Probate fee increase implemented by the South Australian Government. The fee increase, was, as I went on to explain, […]
Arguably the most successful songwriter of all time, John Winston Lennon, was tragically murdered in 1980. With such a sudden death, taking place during what was possibly the peak of his solo career, one must wonder about the specifics of his estate? After all, even by today’s standards, he was what we would consider to […]
A recent Revenue Ruling by the Commissioner of State Taxation has now made clear that the use and implementation of including the phrase ‘and or nominee’ in a contract, most likely for the purchase of land, is no longer required. A word of warning. If you think it is now safe to begin executing contracts […]
For many Australians times are financially tough. It is quite a source of frustration to know that you have a stash of money growing in a super fund, yet are struggling with mortgage repayments and the rising costs of living. Add to this an unexpected illness or significant misfortune and you may find yourself asking […]
At times, as Estate Specialists, we are asked questions relating to the implications for gifting their inheritance to other family members. One such elderly couple came to us asking if they could gift their share of an inheritance to their daughter. Obviously this couple had no need for the inheritance and wanted to provide the […]
Updating your Will can be just as (possibly more) important than ensuring you have one in the first place. Celebrities are not immune from this either, take for example the ‘out of date’ Will of Heath Ledger. Everyone knows they should have a Will. Whether everyone actually has one is a different thing altogether. Whether […]
A recent judgement out of the Supreme Court of South Australia sends a timely reminder to all Will Makers, that trying to successfully leave someone out of your Will is still a very difficult and tricky proposition. For many years now a myth has been perpetuated in many circles relating to the misconception that leaving […]
Every adult needs a Will. I say and write that repeatedly when speaking with new clients, current clients, friends or the public when presenting seminars or information sessions. So why do we not think that celebrities don’t have a Will? Of course they do. Celebrity Wills range from the complex, think Michael Jackson, to non-existent, […]
I drafted my own Will using a Will Kit a couple of years ago, but my circumstances have since changed and I want a few things altered. Is it okay if I just handwrite the changes in the margin and then sign and then date those changes? Is it okay? The simple answer to this […]