The Correct Way to Facilitate Inheritance of Wealth
What is a will? Simply put, a will is the intentions of the testator (also known as the will-maker) in the management of his/her wealth after death. It is a legal document written in accordance with law before death, dictating how the Executor is to distribute the legacy of the testator. A will takes legal effect once the testator dies.
Some people fail to set up a will in advance as a result of the following misunderstandings:
They assumed that their children would automatically inherit their legacy as the next of kin – This is not always the case.
They feel that setting up a will is not auspicious – In fact, it should be compared to buying life insurance. Being a form of early planning, there is nothing inauspicious about it.
They do not think they have reached the age to set up a will – In fact, wealth and inheritance planning is an important step in life and needs to be planned as soon as possible.
Risks of Not Setting up a Will
A tyrant clicks his fingers and half the human race disappears. Although this is only a movie plot, and we all expect to live a long life, it is difficult to foresee your fortune. In Australia, making a will is normal and commonly done. It is a rational thing to do for you to plan the distribution of your property according to your own wishes. From another perspective, this is the objective manifestation of your subjective intent for the distribution of property under your name.
Possible consequences of not setting up a will include:
Your legacy cannot be distributed according to your wishes, and may even be distributed in a way counter to your desires;
Due to disputes over the distribution of inheritance, your family members may constantly argue over their share, leading to conflicts and destroying harmonious relationships. The uncertain issue of inheritance stems unnecessary family disputes;
Large expenses may be incurred in connection to the lack of clear intention, such as court fees, legal fees and execution fees;
Intestate estate distribution procedures and trial time would be much greater than the time spent in establishing a will in the first place.
Establishing an Effective Will
To establish an effective will, it is strongly recommended that you seek professional legal and financial advice. By doing so, you may ensure the validity, legitimacy and clarity of the will, that the beneficiaries receive the protection they deserve, and avoid unnecessary expenses, time and energy spent in litigation or otherwise.
Prudentia Legal is experienced in Wills and Estates matters. In reciprocity of the patronage of old and new clients, we are now launching the Will and Power of Attorney Package. Should you wish to retain our firm to draft a will for you, you may also receive a letter of authorisation for a relevant Australian property at the price of $200.00 (excluding government review fees, registration fees, and other miscellaneous fees) (Offer valid till 30 June 2019). We may assist you in passing on your wealth and make managing inheritance matters a worry-free experience. There are limited places for this offer. Contact our firm promptly for further details.
Please note: The content of our publication is intended for general information purposes only, and should not be construed as legal advice on any matter. Please contact our firm for discussion of your particular circumstances.
Avoiding Fraud – Importance of Legal Advice Illustrated by Two Cases
Avoiding Fraud– Importance of Legal Advice Illustrated by Two CasesPrudentia Legal: Edmund Leung2021-09-10Believing in the wrong person may lead to significant consequences, as once again demonstrated in recent cases in our firm. Sometimes mistakes may even compound on each other to rea
Temporary changes States have made to signing, witnessing or attending to documents
Employees or Contractors – A Discussion on New Developments for App Transport and Delivery Platforms
The gig economy has become everyday occurrence in the past decade. It has also developed in a way exceeding what may be originally envisioned. From the consumer’s perspective, the ease of on-call services for transport and food delivery alike has led to an explosion in demand, with many newcomers t
Summary of changes to the new VIC Residential Tenancy laws
The start date of the Residential Tenancies Amendment Act 2018 (the “ACT”) which outlines the framework of Residential Tenancy laws has been delayed due to coronavirus (COVID-19), with the amendments to be introduced by 29 March 2021, rather than the original 1 July 2020. The Residential Tenancies
Acting as Witness in Legal Proceedings
While direct involvement in criminal matters or civil litigation might not be that common for a person of the general public, it might well be possible that you have witnessed a crime or an event, and may be required to give evidence in court as a witness. What does being a witness entail? Speaking
Child Maintenance Trust
Division 6AA section 102 AG of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 (Cth) provides that a Child Maintenance or Child Support Trust (“CMT”) can be established following a relationship breakdown. Simply speaking, A CMT is a discretionary trust specifically set up to provide support for a child (or chi
Recent Changes to NSW Stamp Duty and Land Tax Policies
Stamp DutyThe New South Wales government has previously announced that they are introducing new legislation to increase the threshold amount for offering stamp duty exemption or reduction for first home buyers, such that purchasers of higher-priced properties may also benefit. This policy change has
House and Land Package – Some tips to share
House and Land Package – some tips to shareIntroductionIt’s noted the “house and land package” in the property market has maintained its popularity over the years. It’s difficult to find a brand new four-bedroom free-standing house within a 30 km radius from the Sydney CBD under $1 millio
New Australian Visa Policies Applicable to Hong Kong
The Prime Minister of Australia, the Honourable Scott Morrison MP, has announced yesterday that new visa policies and measures aimed to attract students and business talents from Hong Kong to Australia, and allow them to stay in Australia, will be offered to “Hong Kong passport holders”. It is not
Off-the-plan Stamp Duty Concessions in Victoria
The state of Victoria, specifically its capital Melbourne, has many high-rise and multi-occupancy residential developments completed and ongoing. Regeneration and redevelopment projects resulting in high-rise skyscrapers have dramatically changed Melbourne’s skyline in the past decade. Such multi-o
Intervention Orders In VIC
An individual (the applicant) (or police department but today we only talk about the individual application) may apply for an intervention order in the Magistrates Court of Victoria which places legal restrictions upon another individual (the respondent) and prohibits the respondent from engaging in
Preparation of Contract for the Sale and Purchase of Land in New South Wales
A contract for the sale and purchase of land (Contract) comprises three sections: The first being the substantive contract, usually the standard contract drafted by the Law Society of New South Wales and the Real Estate Institute of New South Wales, containing general conditions; the second being th