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Estate planning is easier to approach when you understand the basics. These resources are written for South Australians who want clear, plain-language information before they pick up the phone, or simply want to understand more about how the law applies to their situation.
They are not a substitute for legal advice. Every person’s circumstances are different, and the right outcome for you depends on details that no article or guide can anticipate. What these resources can do is give you a foundation, so that when you do speak with our team, you arrive informed and ready.
Articles
Our team has published 190 articles covering estate planning, wills, probate, inheritance claims, powers of attorney, superannuation, and succession law in South Australia. They range from straightforward explanations of common questions to detailed discussions of specific legal scenarios.
Browse by topic or search for the question that is on your mind. If you cannot find what you are looking for, or if reading has raised more questions than it has answered, our team is ready to talk.
Information sheets
Our team has produced six plain-language information sheets covering the areas of estate planning that matter most. Each one is written to be read by a person, not a lawyer.
Estate Planning: The Will
What a Will covers, who can make one, what happens without one, and when to review.
Enduring Power of Attorney (Financial)
Why every adult needs one, who you can appoint, and what happens if you do not have one in place.
Advance Care Directives
How to put your chosen people in control of your medical and personal care decisions if you lose capacity.
Superannuation & Death Benefits
Why your Will does not cover your superannuation, and how to make sure your largest asset goes where you intend.
Understanding Testamentary Trust Wills
How a testamentary trust Will can protect an inheritance from divorce, bankruptcy, and unnecessary tax.
Executors’ Duties in a Deceased Estate
What being named as an executor actually requires, and where the obligations and risks lie.
LAST MINUTE WILLS CAN HAVE LASTING LEGACIES
A bizarre and tragic case in Queensland has demonstrated why estate planning is such a complex issue, after the courts accepted a voice message left on a phone to be a man’s legal will – carving up his $1.6m estate in the process. In the case, the court heard that a man left a voice […]
Welden & Coluccio Honoured with Industry Recommendation for Third Consecutive Year.
Welden & Coluccio Lawyers are delighted to announce we have again been named by our peers as one of the best Wills and Estates firms in South Australia. Announced on Tuesday September 11, our listing in the prestigious Doyle’s Guide for the third consecutive year is a vote of confidence by other lawyers in the […]
Queen of Soul left an incredible legacy – but no Will.
Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul, has died. She leaves behind an unchallenged musical legacy and a story that will inspire for decades to come. The one thing she didn’t leave, however, was a legal will. It’s hard to believe that someone who sold millions of records and performed for Presidents could die without […]
MEDIA STATEMENT: WELDEN & COLUCCIO LAWYERS RENEW GOLD SPONSORSHIP OF THE ICE FACTOR SPECTACULAR
Welden & Coluccio Lawyers is proud to announce they are again partnering with the Ice Factor Spectacular as gold sponsors, helping to keep “at-risk” kids in schools through ice hockey. Welden & Coluccio Principal Jason Coluccio said keeping kids in the classroom is more important than ever. “Low-skilled jobs are disappearing and stable employment is […]
HIDDEN TRAPS IN BABY BOOMER HOME SALE SUPER INCENTIVES
As we get older, some things just get harder to manage. That goes especially for the traditional family home. When you’re in your 30s, maintaining a house with two big yards is something to look forward to on the weekend. But when you’re in your 60s, you just want to enjoy your retirement. For many […]
NEW OFFICE MARKS MAJOR MILESTONE FOR WELDEN & COLUCCIO
2018 marks an important milestone for Welden & Coluccio Lawyers. Just four years ago, our firm was born out of necessity. We didn’t like the way “big law” did business and vowed to start a practice that treated clients like family instead of numbers. We didn’t splash our names on billboards. We weren’t aggressive marketers. […]
Lawyers Aren’t Always Known for Nice Surprises…
I’ve been lucky enough to be blessed with an interesting career. I’ve been a journalist, worked at the pointy-end of government … I’ve even had a hand in showbiz. You’d think I’d have seen it all. I’ve been working at Welden & Coluccio Lawyers for six months, and the only word to describe my time […]
WE’RE HIRING! YOUR CHANCE TO JOIN AN AWARD-WINNING TEAM.
Wills & Estates Lawyer (Senior) Welden & Coluccio Lawyers is an industry-leading wills and estates practice (Doyle’s Guide 2016/17) that is seeking to expand its award-winning team through the addition of a senior lawyer. This is an opportunity to cement your reputation as a wills and estates specialist in a fast-growing, innovative, family-friendly law firm. […]
We Don’t Discuss Death, But We Should.
A new study has shown that only one in four Australians has discussed their end-of-life wishes with their family, despite three quarters acknowledging a need to plan ahead. As an estate lawyer, this is worrying news. I’m not pretending this is an easy discussion to have, but some issues are made worse by ignoring them. […]
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Book a conversation with our team. No obligation. No pressure. Just a clear picture of where you stand and what needs to change.