Wills and Estate Planning
Wills are important and can often be simple and straightforward. However, in complex situations, a comprehensive Estate Plan is required.
Murfett Legal has one of the most experienced teams in Western Australia advising clients on Wills and Estate Planning. Our combined expertise in simple and complex Wills, Estate Planning litigation, taxation, property and commercial law ensures a comprehensive approach and professional advice. We are sought for our legal expertise and tax strategies for Estate Planning, trust administration and wealth protection. We ensure the right instruments, documentation and structures are put in place to effectively transfer the assets of deceased Estates, minimising the taxes that beneficiaries will have to pay.
An Estate Plan goes much further than a Will. It deals with the distribution of assets and wishes of a client while also ensuring beneficiaries pay substantially less in taxes, fees and court costs. Every client is different and we tailor our advice while drawing on decades of expertise in Estate Planning and documenting what happens to the ownership and control of Estate assets in the event of loss of capacity or death.
Clients seeking comprehensive Estate Planning will benefit from Murfett Legal’s experience and feel fully supported in making sound decisions with the right Estate Planning documents in place. Our approach is to understand your needs, together with your life circumstance, investments and business interests (including business succession planning, if relevant) so that we can provide the right legal advice and develop an Estate Plan that clearly reflects and facilitates your wishes.
Not everyone needs a comprehensive Estate Plan. However, it is vital to have your own Will that is up-to-date and personalised. We advise that a Will is reviewed every three to five years. It will need to be updated after a change in circumstances, such as a significant alteration in assets, marriage, separation, divorce, retirement, adoption, birth or death.
Services We Provide
We take the time and effort to get to know what matters to our clients and offer a range of comprehensive Wills and Estate Planning services, including:
- Existing Will review and update with improvements to reflect current circumstances and requirements;
- Estate Planning dealing with the personal, business and financial requirements of our clients, tailoring advice and documents to ensure tax-effective outcomes for beneficiaries;
- Drafting Wills, including simple and complex Wills containing trusts and special provisions;
- Special trusts that are part of a Will, or by a separate trust;
- Court applications for statutory Wills for those lacking testamentary capacity to make or change their Will;
- Testamentary trusts and discretionary trusts (often referred to as 'family trusts'), tailored to the circumstances and needs of our clients with advice about taxation and asset protection;
- Working collaboratively with clients’ existing advisors, including accountants and financial planners to ensure the Estate Plan is tailored to suit clients’ distinct needs;
- Preparing Enduring Power of Attorney and Enduring Power of Guardianship;
- Self-managed superannuation fund trust deeds;
- Advance Health Directives;
- Assisting executors to apply for, and obtain, probate of Wills from the Supreme Court;
- Advising executors and trustees as to their obligations towards beneficiaries under Wills and trusts;
- Advising clients about challenging or defending Wills; and
- Conducting Estate litigation up to and including trial, including dispute resolution.
Finding an Estate Planning specialist is essential when making your Will. A professional will be able to help you draft your Will so that upon your passing, your assets can be given to those you have chosen. They will also assist you in creating an Estate Plan to minimise the risk of it being contested in the case of complex circumstances.
Murfett Legal has one of the most experienced teams in Western Australia, advising clients on Wills and Estate Planning. We provide advice tailored to your circumstances and tap into the expertise and support to make informed decisions about any Estate-related matter.
Why Choose Murfett Legal?
Murfett Legal works closely with you to achieve the best Estate Planning outcomes, both in the short and long term. Our team of Wills and Estate lawyers maintain an exemplary track record by:
- Delivering professional legal advice backed by a comprehensive knowledge of Estate law;
- Maintaining up-to-date legislative awareness and a proactive approach;
- Listening to and understanding the Estate Planning needs of our clients;
- Maintaining open and clear communication with our clients;
- Providing comprehensive Estate Planning services that are both highly professional and cost-effective; and
- Ensuring the Estate is bequeathed to the intended beneficiaries in a professional manner.
Highly regarded as legally astute yet personable and pragmatic, the Murfett Legal team works to understand your situation and collaborates with you to meet your needs and provide professional legal advice.
If you require any assistance in drafting a Will or applying for a grant of probate, feel free to contact our team today.