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Wills, probate & estates · Macleod, Victoria

Wills, probate and contested estates in Macleod

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 Macleod and across Melbourne's north-east.

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Wills, probate & estates · Melbourne's north-east

Handling an estate, or contesting one, in Macleod?

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.

In Macleod, people often come to us when a parent or spouse has passed away and there's no clear will, or the estate needs to be sorted through probate. Many have property here, superannuation, or a mix of investments that need proper handling. Others want to put a will in place while they're well, especially if they have dependants or own a home. The first step is usually to gather any documents you have—a will if one exists, recent bank and property statements, details of superannuation and life insurance, and names of anyone who should inherit. If someone has already died, collect the death certificate and any paperwork about debts or mortgages. We can then sit down with you and work through what's actually there and what steps make sense.

Wills, probate & estates in Macleod: We act for executors, beneficiaries and claimants throughout Macleod and across Melbourne's north-east. 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: Eltham · Greensborough · Heidelberg · Lower Plenty · Rosanna.  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 Macleod — 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 Macleod, 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 do I need to bring if my parent has just passed away and there's no will we can find?
Start by gathering the death certificate, any bank statements, property deeds or mortgage papers, superannuation statements, and names of close family members. Write down what assets and debts you know about. If you find any old will documents, bring those too. We can review what you have and help you work out what happens next.

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