Wills, probate and contested estates in Essendon

Handling an estate, or contesting one, in Essendon?

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.

Essendon residents who come to us about wills and estates often find themselves in one of two situations: either they've put off writing or updating their will and want to get it done properly, or they've recently lost someone and need to work through what comes next. In the first case, people usually want clarity on what needs to be in a will, who should be named to carry it out, and how to make sure it actually reflects their wishes. In the second, families are trying to understand what documents exist, what assets need to be dealt with, and what steps follow. Before coming in, it helps to jot down what you own, who you want to benefit, and roughly who might be willing to take on the executor's role. If you're dealing with someone's estate, gather their original will if you can find it, and any recent bank or property statements.

Wills, probate & estates in Essendon — FAQs