In the recent case of Edward v State Trustees Limited [2016] VSCA 28 a wife who killed her husband in self-defence was not allowed to receive her husband’s estate under his will. In the discussion of the facts of the case there was a history of violence inflicted on the wife during her marriage and the wife […]
wills
Insurance Bonds avoid bequest trap
An often overlooked investment can give parents in blended families certainty that their nominated beneficiaries will receive their bequest without challenges from disgruntled family members.
Why do so many people not have a will?
2/3rds of existing wills are likely to be out of date More onerous revenue claims against wills/estates have led to the increasing desire to protect estates from future claims ‘Blended families creates potential for unhappy spouses and step children contesting the will Peter Townsend – Principal – Townsends Business & Corporate Lawyers The current available […]
Major mistakes people make with their wills and how to avoid them
Is this a growing problem with conflicts around blended families? Not Achieving Intergenerational Wealth Transfer Objectives Leaving Your Will Open to Legal Challenge Not Simplifying Complex Wills and Estates Dedicated Purposes in Estate Planning – clear direction of your intent Many things can go wrong when preparing wills and setting out clear instructions for dispersing […]
An informal will is not enough!
As part of dividing an estate, parties involved are required to conduct rigorous searches to locate a will that a person may have left behind. Movies often show characters finding wills hidden in walls or in between books, but a recent court case has now shown that searches for wills might need to go further […]