Wills

Why do we need Wills A Will is a legal document that set out what a person would like to do with the estate upon his/her death. We understand that it is often considered a taboo to acknowledge death in writing. However, inheritance disputes are common in recent years even among average families, therefore the need of a valid Will cannot be overrated. If you have any children or any other persons who depend on you financially, you might want to have a Will in order to better secure their future. When a person dies without a valid Will (intestate), the estate will be distributed in accordance to the Administration and Probate Act 1919 (SA) instead of your wishes. When there is a Will, an executor will be appointed and tasked to apply for a grant of probate, pay any outstanding debts, and distribute the estate to beneficiaries according to your wishes. There are strict legal requirements on the preparation and the execution of a Will. Failure to satisfy these requirements may render a Will invalid and be more time consuming and stressful for their next of kin. For example, a Will is usually required to be signed by the testator in the presence of at least two witnesses. Even with a Will in place, applying for a grant of probate without legal assistance may nonetheless be challenging. Application for a grant of probate would require the applicant to lodge a number of approved forms to the Supreme Court of South Australia and the format of which is highly specific. In order to avoid requisition, we always invite our clients to allow us to apply for the grant of probate on their behalves. If you need help with any matters relating to a Will, Straits Lawyers can help. We are a firm experienced in the area of Wills and Estate in South Australia. Contact us today at info@straitslawyers.com and find out how we can help you.