Wills and Estates

A Will is a legal document by which you can direct how you would like your assets to be divided or disposed of when you die. In order to ensure that your wishes will be met, it is important your Will is valid and updated as your circumstances change.

If you do not have a Will, you will not have a say as to how your assets will be distributed and your estate will be administered according to the Administration and Probate Act.

You should seek legal advice regarding the content of your Will regardless of how basic you think it might be.  We will provide you with advice on what and who will gain from your estate if you do not have a will; what circumstances can and cannot revoke a Will.

You should also seek advice if you need to alter your Will. Some reasons would be:

• If the executor named in the Will dies or becomes unfit to act
• You want to appoint one of your children after they come of age
• You change your name
• If any of your beneficiaries die
• If you marry or re-marry

We can also advise in relation to contesting a Will and what your chances of success might be and what a Court will take into consideration to determine the outcome of any contested claim.

A Power of Attorney is a legal document in which you give another the power to deal with your estate when you are incapacitated and unable to look after your own affairs.

An Enduring Medical Power of Attorney is a legal document in which you give another the power to make decisions as to medical treatment. This includes Living Wills.