Case Study: Ruth’s story
Case Study: Ruth's story - a claim on an estate A claim on an estate occurs in only 10% or less of estates that go to probate. I estimate that only about 60% of estates that I [...]
Common Mistakes for Executors to Avoid
Common mistakes for executors to avoid by Jacqui Brauman Taking on the role An executor can refuse the role. If you’re asked at the time the Will is made, it doesn’t mean you cannot change your mind [...]
Case Study: Pearl and her daughters
Case Study: Pearl and her daughters - elder abuse A couple of months ago, an elderly widow came into our office, with her daughter. The elderly lady who came to see us, we’ll call her Pearl for [...]
3 Reasons to Have Your Will Done in 2020
3 reasons to have your Will done in 2020 by Jacqui Brauman The year 2020 could be called the year of vision. But at the start of a new decade, we should also be conscious that we [...]
Digital Assets and Death
Digital assets and death by Jacqui Brauman The Internet is changing our lives, and the speed of the change is only going to increase exponentially. In October 2014, the number of phone SIMS cards exceeded the number [...]
How to Prevent a Will Dispute, Like What’s Happening to Bob Hawke’s Will
How to Prevent a Will Dispute, Like What's Happening to Bob Hawke's Will by Jacqui Brauman After his death, Former Prime Minister Bob Hawke’s family is in turmoil over his Will. Bob Hawke died in May 2019, [...]
Suspicious Wills: a reason not to do an at-home Will
Suspicious Wills: a reason not to do an at-home Will by Jacqui Brauman When someone elderly or sick makes a Will, and there’s no concern about them having doubtful testamentary capacity, there is an assumption that they [...]
The family crypt case study
The Family Crypt Case Study by Jacqui Brauman Only very recently, the Supreme Court in Victoria decided on a case about a family crypt clause in a Will. Frank, the deceased, was divorced but had a [...]
Easy Estate Planning
Easy Estate Planning by Jacqui Brauman Having a Will done is something that every adult should turn their mind to. The estate planning process is move involved that just doing your Will, and it can feel quite [...]
Have You Planned The Succession for Your Family Trust?
If you have a family trust and you haven’t thought about the succession of that trust, or you don’t fully understand what roles you have in the trust and how it works, please read this.