estate services
Our experienced and professional estate lawyers can help you with all aspects of winding up an estate.
When winding up an Estate or simply planning your Estate matters, there can be many steps and much information to consider.
At South East Lawyers, our professional, experienced, and down-to-earth team can help you understand your responsibilities and the flexible options available. With us, you can create a plan that serves you and your loved ones well and get through this sensitive and sometimes challenging part of life with our full support.
Here are the services we offer:
Reading of the Will
Probate and Letters of Administration Applications
Administration of small and large Estates
Superannuation and life insurance claims (testator family maintenance claims)
Estate Litigation for beneficiaries, including Will challenges
Estate Litigation for Executors, including Will challenges
Testamentary trust creation and administration
To help you, we’ve developed a FREE downloadable Executor Information Booklet that will help you set our your end-of-life wishes.
Frequently asked questions
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A deceased estate lawyer helps manage and administer the estate of a deceased person. This includes guiding executors through probate, resolving disputes, handling tax matters, and ensuring the estate is distributed according to the will or applicable laws.
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Probate is the legal process of proving a deceased person’s will and obtaining the Supreme Court’s approval to appointment of the Executor, post death. It is required when a person passes away with assets exceeding $50,000.00.
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The Probate process, including administration of the Estate can take 6 months to over a year, depending on the size and composition of the estate, and whether there are any disputes or complications.
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A testamentary trust is a trust created by a will that comes into effect upon the willmaker’s death. It manages and distributes assets according to the terms set out in the will.
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Yes, a will can be contested on grounds such as lack of mental capacity, undue influence, improper execution, or fraud. A will can also be contested if the willmaker has failed to make proper provision for a spouse, child, grandchild or dependent. A deceased estate lawyer can help address and resolve such disputes.
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Common costs include funeral expenses, legal fees, court costs, executor’s fees, accounting fees, and any expenses related to maintaining and valuing the estate’s assets.
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Not generally. Superannuation is usually distributed in accordance with a Binding Death Benefit Nomination made by a deceased person (if any), or in accordance with the superannuation fund rules.
