Making a Will can often feel like a daunting and unnecessary task. However, the unfortunate reality is that death is inevitable and proper creation of a Will is always an important task, regardless of the circumstances. In this article, we explore five of the most common objections to making a Will and why these objections may not always hold up in reality.
1. I’ve told my family my wishes and I know they will do the right thing.
Sometimes knowing the wishes of a loved one who has recently passed away can mean a variety of different things to different family members. Different people may interpret or understand your instructions in different ways. Additionally, verbal instructions are an inadequate way of dealing with your estate, as they are hard to prove and can result in delays and expenses for the administration of your affairs. The death of a family member is already an emotionally difficult time. Through ensuring you leave behind a clearly laid out and validly executed Will, your family will have one worry taken off their hands.
2. I’m a young person – the need to make a Will is far off for me.
Even with the simplest of estates in the case of a young person, the creation of a Will, enduring power of attorney and advance care directive helps ease the burden on those left, and may prevent the need to apply to the court for clarity. Making a Will as a young person also means you will have a greater understanding of your assets and affairs when you need to add to your Will in the future.
3. My affairs are just too complex.
Although estates and assets may seem overwhelming and complex, an experienced legal professional can talk through your affairs with you and help find an appropriate process for dealing with them.
4. What’s the point? Wills are successfully challenged a lot.
This is a common misconception. Wills and Estates lawyers are highly qualified in assessing the risk of a successful challenge and can suggest ways to reduce the value of the assets that are vulnerable to a challenge. Assets vulnerable to a Will challenge are assets that are owned under your own name. Your lawyer can advise you on mechanisms to reduce this risk, for example through transfer to a trust, jointly owning bank accounts and changing ownership of property to ensure your assets are dealt with in the way you desire.
5. I already have a Will from quite a few years ago.
It is important that all Wills are regularly reviewed. Circumstances will inevitably change in life, with events such as the birth of a child, the start or breakdown of a relationship or assets being bought or sold significantly changing the necessary terms of your Will. It is commonly suggested that Wills should be reviewed at least every three (3) years to ensure they reflect your current circumstances. Old Wills could be obsolete and may result in your estate not being dealt with in accordance with your wishes, or being challenged by disgruntled and self-entitled beneficiaries.
Further Information
Making a Will is vital to ensure your estate is dealt with in your desired way. If you would like more information on how we can assist you in making or updating your Will, do not hesitate to contact us on 9963 9800 or here. For more information, check out our blog here.