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Wills, probate & estates · Broadmeadows, Victoria

Wills, probate and contested estates in Broadmeadows

Whether you are the executor of an estate, a family member who has been left out of a will, or someone finally getting their own affairs in order, we act for people in Broadmeadows and across Melbourne's north.

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Wills, probate & estates · Melbourne's north

Handling an estate, or contesting one, in Broadmeadows?

Three quite different jobs sit under this heading. Making a will and a power of attorney is the straightforward one, and the cheapest thing you will ever do to save your family trouble. Administering an estate — applying for a grant of probate or letters of administration, then calling in assets, paying debts and distributing — is procedural work with real deadlines. Contesting a will, or defending one, is litigation: in Victoria an eligible person can bring a family provision claim, and the time limit runs from the grant, so it is short. We do all three, and we will tell you plainly which one you are actually in.

People in Broadmeadows often come to us because someone has passed away and there's no clear will, or a will exists but the family is unsure how to proceed. Sometimes there's disagreement about what was intended, or the estate includes rental property, a small business, or superannuation that complicates things. Before you meet with a lawyer, gather what you can: any documents the deceased left behind, names and contact details of beneficiaries, a list of assets you know about (bank accounts, property, vehicles), and details of any debts or ongoing expenses. If you're an executor or administrator, note when the death occurred. Bring copies of the death certificate if you have them. A lawyer can then walk through what needs to happen next and in what order.

Wills, probate & estates in Broadmeadows: We act for executors, beneficiaries and claimants throughout Broadmeadows and across Melbourne's north. Estate matters are almost entirely handled by correspondence and online, so nothing requires you to travel — but our Reservoir office is there if you would rather sit down with someone.
We also act on wills, probate & estates matters in: Attwood · Beveridge · Bundoora · Campbellfield · Craigieburn.  Appointments online across Victoria, or in person at our Reservoir office.
Applying for probateAdministering an estateContesting a willMaking a willPowers of attorneyWills & estates
Common questions

Wills, probate & estates in Broadmeadows — FAQs

How long do I have to contest a will in Victoria?
A family provision claim must generally be started within six months of the grant of probate. It is a short window and it runs from the grant, not from the death — so if you are considering a claim about an estate connected to Broadmeadows, get advice early rather than waiting for the estate to be distributed.
Can I make a family provision claim if I was left out of a will?
Possibly. Victorian law allows certain people — including spouses and partners, children, and some others who depended on the deceased — to apply for provision from an estate where the will does not adequately provide for them. Whether you are eligible, and whether a claim is realistic, depends on your relationship to the deceased and your own circumstances. Time runs from the grant of probate, so get advice early.
Do I need probate for a small estate?
Not always. Whether a grant is needed depends on what the assets are and who holds them — some banks and share registries will release smaller holdings without one, and jointly held property may pass automatically. We will tell you at the outset whether you need a grant at all.
I'm the executor and the family is fighting. What do I do?
An executor's duty runs to the estate, not to any one beneficiary, and acting even-handedly is what protects you personally. Get advice before you distribute anything — distributing while a claim is on foot is where executors get into difficulty.
What does it cost?
Making a will or a power of attorney is fixed-fee and quoted upfront. Probate applications are usually fixed-fee too. Contested matters are quoted with an estimate at each stage, so you are never exposed to an open-ended bill.
What happens if someone dies without leaving a will?
State laws set out who inherits, but it can take longer and cost more to administer the estate. You'll need to gather documents showing the deceased's family relationships and financial position, and work through a formal process. A lawyer can explain the steps and help you understand who would typically inherit under those laws.

Speak to a wills, probate & estates lawyer about Broadmeadows

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