Wills & estates
Wills & estates lawyers in Wollongong
Taking the time to plan your family’s future now can save a lot of headache, and heartache, down the track.
- 69–71 Church Street, Wollongong
- Mon–Fri 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Murray Dribbus Lawyers prepares wills, powers of attorney and enduring guardianship appointments for families in Wollongong and the Illawarra, and helps executors with probate and estate administration. We also advise on will disputes, including family provision claims, and explain your options in plain English.
Planning ahead, made simple
A well-prepared will gives you peace of mind that your wishes will be followed and your loved ones looked after. We’ll talk you through your options in plain English and prepare documents that reflect what matters to you.
How we can help
Planning your estate
- Drafting a will that gives effect to your wishes and maximises the inheritance for your family
- Advising on choosing executors and guardians
- Reducing the chance that your will is contested
- Explaining estate and probate laws
- Preparing powers of attorney and enduring guardianship appointments, so trusted people can make financial, lifestyle and health decisions for you if you’re unable to
When someone has passed away
- Probate and estate administration: helping executors carry out their role and finalise the estate
- Will disputes and challenging a will, including family provision claims
Why it pays to get advice
DIY wills and out-of-date documents can lead to uncertainty, delays and family disputes. Getting your will, power of attorney and enduring guardianship right, and reviewing them when your circumstances change, is one of the simplest ways to protect the people you care about.
Related legal services
Let’s talk about planning your family’s future. Call 02 4229 5822.
Talk to us
Call or email and one of our team will get back to you promptly.
- 02 4229 5822
- office@dribbuslawyers.com.au
- Monday to Friday, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
FAQs
Wills and estates questions, answered
If you die without a valid will, you die ‘intestate’ and the Succession Act 2006 (NSW) sets out who inherits your estate. The result may not match what you would have wanted, and the process can take longer and cause stress for your family. A will lets you choose who benefits and who manages your estate.
An enduring power of attorney lets someone you trust make financial and legal decisions for you, and it continues if you lose capacity. An enduring guardian makes lifestyle, health and medical decisions for you if you are unable to make them yourself. Many people put both in place at the same time as their will.
Review your will whenever your circumstances change, for example if you marry, separate or divorce, have children or grandchildren, buy or sell significant assets, or if an executor or beneficiary passes away. In NSW, marriage generally revokes an existing will unless it was made in contemplation of that marriage, and divorce generally revokes gifts to a former spouse.
Probate is a grant from the Supreme Court of NSW that confirms a will is valid and that the executor has authority to deal with the estate. Whether it is needed usually depends on the assets involved and on the requirements of banks and other institutions holding those assets. We can help executors work out what’s required.
Yes. Certain eligible people, such as a spouse, child or dependant, can apply to the Supreme Court of NSW for a family provision order if they believe they were not adequately provided for. In most cases the claim must be made within 12 months of the date of death. A carefully prepared will can reduce the chance of a successful challenge.
An executor is the person named in a will to manage the estate. Their role generally includes locating the will, applying for probate if needed, collecting the assets, paying debts and taxes, and distributing the estate to the beneficiaries in line with the will. We can guide executors through each step.
This is general information only, not legal advice for your situation. Please contact us to talk about your matter.