In this guest post, Larisa Kapur, Wills and Estates Associate at Attwood Marshall Lawyers, outlines the importance of creating a Will, including the benefits of engaging a professional legal practitioner as opposed to using templated or DIY documents. There is also a special offer exclusive to aged care workers in the Gold Coast and Tweed areas who can obtain a free estate planning review.
Creating or updating a Will may seem like an overwhelming task and one that routinely slips down the ladder of priorities. Indeed, death is hardly a topic one likes to think about let alone discuss. Studies show that around 60 per cent of Australians do not have a Will.
Yet, taking a proactive role in setting out your wishes and ensuring you have an estate plan in place is vital to avoid leaving behind complicated legal battles. As a professional in the aged care sector, you are likely to understand the importance of your clients putting in place plans for the future, but have you considered your own?
Regardless of whether the size of your estate is modest or substantial, or whether you own property or not, making proper arrangements for your estate planning is one of the most important things you can do for your family.
Here are some pertinent reasons why every adult should prioritise creating a Will:
- A Will allows you to dictate how your assets will be distributed and who will benefit from them. Whether it’s leaving assets to family members, friends, or charitable organisations, your wishes will be legally binding.
- Your Will can outline your preferences for funeral arrangements, making it easier for your loved ones to honour your wishes during a challenging time.
- Appointing trusted individuals as Executors in your Will ensures competent administration of your estate and adherence to your wishes.
- If you have minor children or dependents, a Will allows you to appoint guardians who will care for them in your absence, providing peace of mind about their future well-being and ensuring that you have your say about who you want to step into this vital role.
- A Will streamlines the probate process, minimising delays and costs related to the administration of the estate.
- By clearly outlining your intentions in a legally valid Will, you mitigate the risk of someone contesting your estate and draining its assets through litigation.
A Will also provides an opportunity to support causes you care about by establishing gifts or donations to charitable organisations.
While creating a Will may seem straightforward, it’s essential to approach it with careful consideration and professional guidance. The “do-it-yourself” approach may seem quick and sufficient, but trying to go it alone can end in disaster.
As a Wills and Estates Lawyer, I’ve witnessed firsthand the complexities involved in estate planning and the potential pitfalls of DIY or online Will templates. We see these types of documents fail time and time again, as they often cannot protect testamentary wishes in the same way a Will drafted by an experienced estate planning lawyer can.
In light of this, Attwood Marshall Lawyers is proud to share that we are offering a special initiative throughout March 2024 for aged care workers across the Gold Coast and Tweed areas. Aged care workers can visit our experienced estate planning lawyers to plan for the future, preserve their wishes and have their Will drafted, free of charge.
This “free Will” offer is the firm’s way to give back to the dedicated workers who tirelessly serve in the aged care sector, providing essential care to our elderly citizens day in and day out.
The offer includes a 30-minute estate planning review for advice on any strategies individuals may want to consider, and the drafting of one simple Will to be prepared by an experienced estate planning lawyer.
We believe that everyone deserves access to quality legal services, especially those who have dedicated their lives to caring for others.
You can find out more about the offer and its terms and conditions here:
attwoodmarshall.com.au/wills-and-estates/free-wills-for-aged-care-workers/
