If you are reading this, then you have probably gone through the process of deciding how you want to divide your estate, providing instructions, drafting and reading the contents of your Will. Congratulations – this important step is something that approximately 50% of Australians have not done. If not, this is probably useful information for you in any event. If your Will was drafted by us, it has also been reviewed by our firm’s specialist Wills team. Before you start, please: Read the Will carefully to make sure that it says exactly what you want it to say. Do not make any alterations to the Will. If the Will contains errors or does not correctly reflect your wishes, please let your lawyer know before you sign anything. Step 1: Find Two Eligible Witnesses Once you are ready to sign you will need two witnesses who satisfy the following conditions: The witnesses must…

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Do I need a will? It depends on what you want to happen after you die. If you do not have a will, the distribution of your estate is governed by the rules of intestacy. In Victoria, those rules are found in the Administration and Probate Act 1958. Who gets what depends on your circumstances including whether you have a partner, whether you have children and whether those children have received other property from you. If you have a will, the distribution of your estate is governed by the terms of your will. Should I see a professional to make my will? Again, it depends. If you want the safety and security of knowing that your will is going to be effective and distribute your estate according to your intentions, then it is recommended that you retain the services of a professional to draft the necessary documents. But an estate…

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