Wills and estates, handled quietly and with care.
Whether you are putting your own affairs in order or looking after the estate of someone you have lost, we explain each step in plain English and take it at your pace.
Buying a home, or marrying
Often the first time people think about a will, and a sensible time to make one.
What to sort out
- Joint tenants or tenants in common. As joint tenants, the home passes to the survivor outside the will. As tenants in common, each share follows each will.
- A first will. Or an update, if yours was made before the relationship.
- Life insurance and super. Check who is nominated, because these often pass outside the will too.
Good to know
In Victoria, getting married generally cancels an earlier will unless it was made with the marriage in mind. Separating doesn't automatically cancel one.
We check how the title is held when you sign your will, so the two say the same thing.
Providing for children
The time a will matters most, and when it is most often missing. Blended families included.
What to sort out
- A guardian. Who would care for the children if neither parent could.
- Who manages the money. Children can't hold an inheritance themselves; your will says who looks after it and until what age.
- A testamentary trust. A trust set up by your will that can protect an inheritance and give the trustee flexibility.
Good to know
In a blended family, a will that leaves everything to a new partner may leave nothing to children from an earlier relationship. We talk through how to provide for everyone.
Review your will when another child arrives, unless it already covers future children.
Retiring, or planning for care
Less about who receives what, and more about who decides for you if one day you can't.
What to sort out
- Enduring power of attorney. Someone you trust to handle money and personal matters if you can't.
- Medical treatment decision maker. The person who decides about your medical care, and an advance care directive if you want one.
- Super death benefit nominations. Check they are current and say what you mean.
- A will that fits now. Grandchildren, a sold family home, a new partner.
Good to know
Powers of attorney can only be made while you have capacity to make them. Doing them early is easier for everyone.
We visit clients at home, in hospital or in aged care across Melbourne.
After a death
If someone has died, we can help with what happens next, at a pace that suits you. Very little needs to be decided in the first days.
When you are ready
- Find the original will. It may be with the person's lawyer, among their papers or in safe custody. If you can't find one, we can help you look.
- Probate, or letters of administration. The executor applies to the Supreme Court of Victoria. If there is no will, a family member applies instead.
- Looking after the estate. Gathering the assets, paying debts and tax, then distributing what remains. We do as much or as little of this as the executor would like.
Good to know
If you are not sure whether you are the executor, or whether there is a will at all, call us. We will help you find out, and there is no obligation.
Time limits apply to claims against an estate. We advise executors and family members on these, and give a written estimate before any work starts.
Wills and estates, and nothing else.
- WillsSimple wills, and wills for blended families and business owners.
- Testamentary trustsTrusts created by your will to protect an inheritance.
- Enduring powers of attorneyFor financial and personal matters.
- Medical treatment decision makersAppointments and advance care directives.
- ProbateApplications to the Supreme Court of Victoria for executors.
- Letters of administrationWhen there is no will, or no executor able to act.
- Estate administrationCollecting assets, paying debts and distributing the estate.
- Claims against estatesAdvice for executors and for family members who were left out.
Four unhurried steps, and you know what each involves before it starts.
A short call
Tell us where you are and what's on your mind. We'll say what you need, and what you don't.
Costs in writing
Before any work starts, you get a written costs disclosure: how we charge, an estimate of the total and your rights if you disagree with a bill.
A meeting
At our office in Fitzroy, by video, or at your home if that's easier. Bring what papers you have; we'll work through the rest together.
Signing, or next steps
For a will, we draft, you check, and you sign with two witnesses. For an estate, we agree a plan with the executor.
Two lawyers, up the stairs from the laneway.
Margaret Haddon and Luka Ilic started the practice so that people could come to one place at each stage: the first will, the update when children arrive, the powers of attorney at retirement, and the estate when the time comes.
You deal with the same lawyer each time. We write in plain English, we don't rush anyone, and we'll tell you when a simple will is all you need.
- Practising certificatesOur lawyers hold current practising certificates issued in Victoria.
- Professional bodyMembers of the Law Institute of Victoria.
- Costs disclosureEvery client receives a written costs disclosure before work begins.
- Home and hospital visitsAcross Melbourne, for clients who can't easily come to us.
Talk to us when you're ready.
A phone call is often easiest. If you would rather write, send a short message and we'll reply within one working day.
(03) 5550 0186- Office
- Level 1, 9 Ropewalk Lane
Fitzroy VIC 3065 - Hours
- Monday to Friday, 9am–5pm
Home visits by arrangement - hello@example.com