Making a Will in Victoria

What is a Will?

Here is essential information about making a will in Victoria. Wills and probate lawyers in Melbourne are available to help you prepare this important document. A will is legal document that clearly sets out how your assets are to be distributed on your death. It also deals with other important matters like who will take care of your children?

A recent survey reported that just over half of Australian adults do not have a will.

Who needs a Will?

Making a will in Victoria should be a priority for every adult. Whether married, single or divorced- having a legal and valid will ensures the testator’s wishes are formalised for the estate’s executor. Regardless of what you have- making a will ensures that what you do own goes to the people you want it to go to. In the case of children your will can set out at what age a child will inherit. In the case of minor children your will can specify who will be their guardian.

There are lots of things to think about if you are considering making your will. Our will instruction checklist is a good start. See this copy of our checklist for making wills.

How much does it cost? We have a couple of standard will packages which covers most situations.

When doing your will there are a couple of other documents which we always recommend. They are:

• A Power of Attorney
  A Power of Attorney is a legal document in which you nominate one or more persons to act and sign on your behalf for legal, financial and personal decisions need to be made. A power of attorney can start when you decide. Most people choose that it starts when you cease to have capacity. Your power of attorney and continues to be effective until you terminate it or until you die.
• Medical power of attorney often called a living will
  This is a special type of power of attorney that enables you to plan for your future medical treatment if you are no longer able to make their own decisions due to illness or injury.

  In Medical power of attorney you choose a person to make your medical decisions for you if you are not able to make them yourself.

  A medical power of attorney or living will can also specify your wishes regarding treatment.

Our Standard Estate Packages