Your Will is confidential. It is entirely a matter for you where it is kept so it is safe and can be located. There is no Government register of Wills made in Queensland. It is not uncommon … [Read more...] about But Where’s the Will….?
Estates
The Tax Man Cometh …….
One of the various roles of an Executor is to make sure that all estate debts are paid. In particular, an Executor needs to make sure any tax liability of the deceased during their lifetime or of … [Read more...] about The Tax Man Cometh …….
The Curse Of The Home-made Will Strikes Again!
I have written previously about the pitfalls of home-made Wills. Although it may sound like I’m trying to drum up business in recommending your Will be prepared by a solicitor, there is some … [Read more...] about The Curse Of The Home-made Will Strikes Again!
A Matter of Trust
Many clients who we assist with their estate planning have involvement in a Trust. When the Trust is established, it comes with a ‘rule book’ known as the Trust Deed. The rule book sets out … [Read more...] about A Matter of Trust
DO YOU REALLY WANT THE GRANDCHILDREN TO INHERIT?
Consider this scenario: You have 2 children. Child A and Child B. Child A has one child (your grandchild). You give your estate equally to Child A and Child B in your Will. If Child A … [Read more...] about DO YOU REALLY WANT THE GRANDCHILDREN TO INHERIT?
What if my proposed executor lives overseas?
It is often the case that executors live far and wide and that is usually not an issue in estate administration. Care must, however, be taken before appointing an overseas resident to be the sole … [Read more...] about What if my proposed executor lives overseas?
The attorney sold the house!
This is the third in our series answering common questions about Estate and Probate disputes. It is a common feature of estate planning for a person to appoint someone to act for them in the event … [Read more...] about The attorney sold the house!
“Who gets the fishing gear?”
In a recent Supreme Court of Queensland case, the Judge was asked to interpret the meaning of a clause in a Will that gave “all of the fishing gear” and a 37ft fishing trawler to the deceased’s son. … [Read more...] about “Who gets the fishing gear?”
It’s enough to give you the (estate planning) blues…
Not only did one Mr James Tedesco sink the hearts of all Queenslanders with a last-minute try to clinch this year’s State of Origin Series, now those pesky southerners are trying to disrupt the … [Read more...] about It’s enough to give you the (estate planning) blues…
Can my step-children contest my Will?
In Queensland, there are three main categories of people who can contest a Will. The spouse, the child and the dependant. Families come in all sorts of shapes and sizes and with blended families … [Read more...] about Can my step-children contest my Will?