Why you might want to re-think that DIY Will Kit
Writing a Will is easy to put off. Maybe you think you’re too young to need one, your affairs are fairly straightforward, or that a DIY Will Kit will do the trick. But, when it comes to protecting your loved ones, and making sure your wishes are carried out, a little professional guidance can make a big difference.
At Foxlaw, we aim to make estate planning as simple and stress-free as possible. Here’s a quick look at how we can help you put your affairs in order, and why there’s more to preparing a Will than merely filling in the blanks.
How estate planning works with Foxlaw
1. Instruction form
We start by asking you to fill out an instruction sheet. It covers your family, your assets, and what you’d like to happen with your things when you pass.
You can complete the form from the comfort of your home, whether that’s on your phone or laptop. If you prefer pen and paper, you’re welcome to print a copy and drop it into our office instead.
Don’t worry, you don’t need to have all the answers just yet. The instruction form just gives us a starting point for our conversation. Make a note of any questions you may have to clarify with our solicitor later!
2. Initial consultation
Next, we book you in with our solicitor to go through your instructions. This is where we pick up the things a template can’t, such as how your super and jointly owned property fit into the picture, whether a testamentary (discretionary) trust might be suitable, and who you’d trust as your executor/s.
3. Drafting
We prepare your Will (and any other documents you need, such as an Enduring Power of Attorney or Advance Health Directive). We ensure your wishes are made clear and unambiguous, reducing the risk of vague wording and guesswork. You review the draft and let us know if you’d like any changes.
4. Signing
You sign (most of the time) at our office, with two adult witnesses present, making sure it’s done correctly the first time.
5. Safe custody
Once signed, we usually keep your original Will safe and secure in our safe custody facility, with a register of its whereabouts at all times. That way, your family won’t have to search through drawers and filing cabinets to find it.
Step away from the stapler!
Please, don’t staple, paperclip, or attach anything to your Will! Worst case scenario, if your Will is challenged, these unassuming markings can indicate that something, somewhere was previously attached, and has now gone missing, which may mean your Executor needs to provide an explanation to the Court of what went down.
Ready to get started?
It’s as easy as filling out the Form via our LinkTree in our Bio.
Cheers,
Angelina Hendrie & Josh Fox
Foxlaw