Wills & Estate Planning in Taree
Powers of Attorney
Servicing Taree & Surrounds
Enduring Guardianship
Established in 1911
Prepare with Wills & Estate Planning
At Paton Hooke Lawyers, our team assists with drafting wills, updating existing documents and providing legal guidance on estate planning in Taree, Wingham, Old Bar, Forster-Tuncurry, Harrington, Nabiac and beyond.
Preparing a legally valid will helps ensure assets are distributed according to personal wishes and can reduce the risk of disputes. A prepared will outlines how property, finances and personal belongings are managed after death. It can also appoint executors, guardians for minor children and instructions for beneficiaries. Without a valid will, estate distribution follows legal guidelines, which may not align with personal intentions.
Paton Hooke Lawyers helps clients create wills suited to individual circumstances. We provide advice on structuring estate plans, minimising complications and ensuring legal requirements are met. To discuss will preparation or estate planning, contact our will lawyers in Taree.
Call
(02) 6551 0355 to arrange an appointment. We also offer guidance on
will disputes.
Draft Your Will
Paton Hooke Lawyers assists with drafting and updating wills to help ensure assets are distributed as intended. A legally valid will can protect beneficiaries and help prevent disputes. Our will lawyers in Taree provide guidance on appointing executors, nominating guardians and structuring estates for efficient administration.
Our will lawyers assist with:
- Drafting new wills that reflect current financial & personal circumstances
- Updating existing wills to accommodate life changes, such as marriage, children or asset changes
- Appointing executors & specifying their legal responsibilities
- Including instructions for dependants, property & financial assets
A prepared will helps provide a legal framework for estate distribution. Paton Hooke Lawyers offers assistance in structuring wills to meet individual needs.
Authorise a Power of Attorney
Our will lawyers at Paton Hooke Lawyers in Taree can assist with powers of attorney. Legally authorise an individual to manage financial or legal affairs if you become unable to do so. This can be temporary or long-term, depending on individual circumstances.
We assist with:
- General powers of attorney for specific financial matters or temporary situations
- Enduring powers of attorney for ongoing financial & legal decision-making
- Helping ensure the appointed attorney understands their legal obligations
- Drafting legally valid documents to comply with estate planning requirements
A power of attorney can help ensure financial and legal matters are handled if decision-making capacity is lost. Paton Hooke Lawyers provides guidance on selecting an attorney and structuring the arrangement.
Establish Enduring Guardianship
Paton Hooke Lawyers helps clients establish enduring guardianship arrangements, allowing another to make personal and medical decisions if capacity is lost. Our will lawyers in Taree assist with drafting legally binding documents so personal wishes are followed.
We assist with:
- Appointing an enduring guardian to make health & lifestyle decisions
- Defining the scope of decision-making authority
- Helping ensure legal compliance for the enduring guardianship arrangement
- Reviewing existing arrangements & making necessary updates
Enduring guardianship can allow a designated person to manage healthcare, living arrangements and personal decisions in situations where a person cannot do so themselves.
Paton Hooke Lawyers provides guidance on appointing an enduring guardian and helping ensure legal requirements are met.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is having a will important?
A will helps ensure your assets are distributed according to your wishes after your death. Without a valid will, intestacy laws determine who inherits your estate, which may not align with your intentions. Having a will also helps simplify the probate process and can reduce potential disputes among beneficiaries.
What happens if I die without a will?
Dying without a will means your estate is distributed under intestacy laws. This can result in assets going to unintended beneficiaries or disputes among family members. The process can also take longer and be more complex. A legally drafted will helps protect your wishes and ensures proper estate distribution.
Can I update my will?
Yes, a will can be updated at any time, provided you have testamentary capacity. Changes can be made through a codicil or by drafting a new will. Significant life events such as marriage, divorce or the birth of children may require updates to ensure your will reflects your current wishes.
Who can contest a will?
Eligible persons, including spouses, children and dependents, may contest a will if they believe they were unfairly left out or inadequately provided for. The court considers financial need, relationship to the deceased and other factors when deciding claims. Seeking legal advice can clarify whether a claim is valid.
