Wills, Powers of Attorney and Deceased Estates
This area of the law helps you ensure that your day-to-day affairs are taken care of if you can’t, and your assets distributed as you wish when you die.
Wills
A will ensures that any family, dependents or other beneficiaries are looked after when you die. It is important to have a will in place if you own assets and with superannuation now a common asset, a will has become even more important. You will also need to update your will as your circumstances change: you marry or divorce or have children for example.
Powers of attorney
Powers of attorney ensure that your affairs are taken care of if you are absent or incapacitated. You may need to put up to three powers of attorney in place.
- An Enduring Power of Attorney (Financial) allows another person(s) to act on your behalf in relation to the management of your every day affairs. The power does not cease on you becoming physically and/or mentally incapable.
- An Enduring Power of Attorney (Medical Treatment) gives the agent you appoint authority to make decisions about medical treatment when you are unable to do so yourself.
- An Enduring Power of Guardianship allows you to appoint a guardian who will make lifestyle decisions on your behalf if you are unable to do so yourself.
Deceased estates
Administering a deceased estate can be a complex task. Expert legal assistance can help from obtaining a grant of probate through administration to the final distribution.
- Probate describes the process of proving the validity of a Will. Probate is required for large estates and in dealing with land in the sole name of a deceased person.
- Administration of an estate involves ascertaining and collecting all the assets of a deceased person and the distribution of the estate in accordance with the person’s will.
Who will look after you?
Terry Templer has practised as a solicitor in Bendigo since 1975, and has a great understanding of the needs of local people. He practises in the area of wills, powers of attorney, deceased estates, conveyancing, and sale of businesses. He and his assistant, Delwyn Oliver, provide down-to-earth explanations every step of the way.