WILLS & ESTATE PLANNING LAWYERS KIAMA

Estate planning is about setting out how your wealth, property, and personal wishes will be managed in the future. It goes beyond simply writing a Will. It may include creating trusts, appointing powers of attorney, or setting medical directives. The aim is to remove uncertainty, manage tax issues, and put plans in place that protect the people most important to you.

A Will allows you to decide how your assets are divided after your passing. It lets you appoint guardians for young children, choose an executor, and outline who should receive particular belongings. Without a Will, your estate is distributed under strict legal rules that may not reflect your wishes. A properly drafted Will also reduces confusion in complex situations, such as blended families or special gifts, and can lessen the chance of disputes.

If you pass away without a valid Will, your estate will be divided according to intestacy laws. These rules may not align with your personal intentions. In most cases, a family member or close associate must apply to the Supreme Court for Letters of Administration to manage the estate. This can be a lengthy and stressful process for your loved ones.

It’s wise to review your Will whenever there are major changes in your life. This may include marriage or separation, the birth of children, buying property, or changes in your business interests. Reviewing your Will regularly keeps it accurate and helps prevent outcomes that don’t match your intentions.

A trust is a legal arrangement where a trustee holds assets on behalf of beneficiaries. Trusts can be used to manage tax, protect privacy, or handle complex family situations. They may also keep certain assets outside probate. Whether a trust suits you depends on your financial circumstances, the assets you hold, and your long-term goals.

There are strategies that may help reduce the tax burden on your estate. These can include setting up testamentary or discretionary trusts, making gifts during your lifetime, or using available concessions and exemptions. By planning ahead with the right structures, you can preserve more of your estate for the people you want to benefit.

A power of attorney is a legal document that allows you to appoint someone to manage your affairs if you cannot do so yourself. This can include handling finances or legal matters. The scope can vary, making it an important safeguard for situations involving illness or loss of capacity.

Sometimes called a living Will, this document sets out your wishes for medical treatment if you become seriously unwell and cannot speak for yourself. It gives doctors and family members clear direction, easing uncertainty and stress during difficult times.

Yes. You can appoint more than one person to act as an executor or trustee. This can share responsibilities and create balance, but it’s vital to choose people who are capable, reliable, and willing to work together.

A family trust can protect assets from outside claims, assist in managing wealth across generations, and provide flexibility in distributing income. Families with larger estates or more complex arrangements often use trusts to maintain control over how their property is preserved and passed on.

Trust structures, such as irrevocable trusts, may provide protection if set up properly and within the law. As part of estate planning, these arrangements can reduce exposure to risk and add an extra layer of security for your assets.

Yes. You can update your beneficiaries when your circumstances change, such as after marriage, separation, or the birth of children or grandchildren. To keep your wishes legally valid, it’s important to make these updates through the correct legal process.

An estate planning lawyer helps you prepare the documents and structures needed to carry out your wishes. This can include drafting Wills, setting up trusts, advising on asset distribution, and assisting with family arrangements. They may also guide you through probate, manage disputes, and help prevent future complications. At Kells, our Kiama-based Wills and estate planning lawyers work with you to build a clear plan that is both practical and enforceable.

Kells provides a wide range of estate planning services. We prepare Wills, establish trusts, manage probate applications, and advise on business succession and family arrangements. We also support clients with contested Wills, medical directives, and asset protection strategies. Our focus is on practical solutions that reflect your goals and safeguard your legacy.