Wills & Estates
We provide care and compassion through what can be a daunting time in your life
What We can assist you with
Preparation of a Will, Enduring Power of Attorney or Advance Health Directive;
Obtaining a Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration;
Administering an estate (e.g. transfer of real property, closure of bank accounts, sale or transfer of shareholdings, Deed of Appropriation);
Contesting wills (e.g. Family Provision).
It is imperative that an Executor can clearly understand the intention of the Testator expressed in the Will. While some legal language is unavoidable, we prepare Wills in the clearest terms possible.
G.R. Brown Solicitor also offers clients the option to hold your Will on your behalf for safekeeping (free of charge) so you can leave with peace of mind knowing your Will is being stored in a safe place, at no additional cost.
A change in your circumstances e.g. marriage, divorce, separation or sale of property may have an effect on your will. It is therefore important to review your Will regularly to ensure it is valid and in line with your wishes.
The death of a loved one is a very difficult time. Sometimes the last thing you want to think about is getting all the paperwork together to carry out the terms of the Will. We can assist an Executor of a Will to administer an estate. If after receiving legal advice, the Executor may decide to undertake some of the administration without further incurring the cost of a Solicitor. We will do as much or as little as you would like us to do e.g. obtaining Probate (if necessary) and transfer of real property.
If your loved one has passed away without having a valid Will i.e. intestate, the Rules of Intestacy apply. This means that your immediate or extended family will benefit from your estate. We can assist you in determining those entitled to an intestate estate.
Legal fees are a charge against the estate funds and not against the Executor personally. If an executor spends money on behalf of the estate, he or she is entitled to a reimbursement when estate funds are to hand.