World Elder Abuse Awareness Day
June 15 marks World Elder Abuse Awareness Day – a day for us to remind ourselves and one another that elder abuse is becoming a global issue. It’s a concern…
A Will here and a Will there – international assets in your estate plan
It still surprises me that clients seem to forget to mention “their bank account in the US” or “their parent’s house they inherited in the UK”, even when asked during…
Does your Will deal with your cryptocurrency?
There is no doubt that a lot of people have jumped on the “get rich quick” band wagon when it comes to the likes of bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. For…
Re Nichol – draft text message considered a Will
The judgment handed down last week by the Supreme Court of Queensland in Re Nichol is a profound reminder of the importance of ensuring your Will meets the legal requirements…
To Will or Not to Will
According to Benjamin Franklin, “In this world nothing can be certain, except death and taxes”. As we all know, there is certainty in the paying of tax, but in the…
Back to basics – making sure your Will is signed correctly
I prepare Wills on a weekly basis. Once a client’s Will is finalised, I will forward it to them along with signing instructions, should the client wish to sign their…
Testamentary Trusts – A Double Edged Sword
A lot of clients look at me with confusion when I suggest a testamentary trust for them. I immediately receive questions like: What is it? How does it work? Do…
Having an estate plan is more than just having a will
There seems to be a common misconception that having an estate plan is for wealthy people. Wrong. Having an estate plan is for everyone. It is about being prepared, minimising…
Who is a child, and can they make a claim against your estate?
In Queensland, for the purposes of making an application for further provision from an estate, a child is eligible. However, the definition of ‘child’ is three fold. Effectively, a child…
Estrangement – are you in or are you out?
Although unfortunate, it is common that parent and child are unable to forge out their issues. However, the result in some circumstances means their relationship is marred by estrangement. Estrangement…
What happens to my estate if I die without a will?
When you pass away without a will (valid will), you are deemed to have died intestate. This means that your estate will be administered and distributed according to legislation. The…
What is your excuse for not having a will?
When you die, you die. Nothing can be done from the grave that you haven’t planned for already. I’ve had many clients come in during their twilight years to make…