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Estate planning is easier to approach when you understand the basics. These resources are written for South Australians who want clear, plain-language information before they pick up the phone, or simply want to understand more about how the law applies to their situation.
They are not a substitute for legal advice. Every person’s circumstances are different, and the right outcome for you depends on details that no article or guide can anticipate. What these resources can do is give you a foundation, so that when you do speak with our team, you arrive informed and ready.
Articles
Our team has published 190 articles covering estate planning, wills, probate, inheritance claims, powers of attorney, superannuation, and succession law in South Australia. They range from straightforward explanations of common questions to detailed discussions of specific legal scenarios.
Browse by topic or search for the question that is on your mind. If you cannot find what you are looking for, or if reading has raised more questions than it has answered, our team is ready to talk.
Information sheets
Our team has produced six plain-language information sheets covering the areas of estate planning that matter most. Each one is written to be read by a person, not a lawyer.
Estate Planning: The Will
What a Will covers, who can make one, what happens without one, and when to review.
Enduring Power of Attorney (Financial)
Why every adult needs one, who you can appoint, and what happens if you do not have one in place.
Advance Care Directives
How to put your chosen people in control of your medical and personal care decisions if you lose capacity.
Superannuation & Death Benefits
Why your Will does not cover your superannuation, and how to make sure your largest asset goes where you intend.
Understanding Testamentary Trust Wills
How a testamentary trust Will can protect an inheritance from divorce, bankruptcy, and unnecessary tax.
Executors’ Duties in a Deceased Estate
What being named as an executor actually requires, and where the obligations and risks lie.
“Help! I’m an Executor”
A close friend approached me last week concerned that she had been nominated executor in her grandmother’s Will, she was uncertain exactly as to what this would entail. It is a familiar scenario. Every day executors are nominated in Wills. Usually the nominated person is aware of this, sometimes they are not (in which case […]
Small But Oh So Important: “Certificate of Title”
What is a Duplicate Certificate of Title and why is it important? A Duplicate Certificate of Title is the official document evidencing ownership of real property. The face of the document includes a description of the property, who holds ownership and any liens, encumbrances or easements which may be held over the property. The Duplicate […]
“The Law Society South Australia Pass Motion Condemning Outrageous Hike in Probate Fees”
Recently I wrote in relation to impending changes announced to Probate fees. These fees are as as described in the article “… so exorbitant there can be no other way to classify it other than the reintroduction of a death tax.” You can read the article here. On 4th March 2016, The Law Society of […]
Your Right to Know? Understanding the Role of Suppression Orders in the Salt Creek Investigation
Last week South Australians were horrified by the allegedly vicious attack on two young, female backpackers at Salt Creek in the state’s south. The attack has initiated one of the most restrictive suppression orders granted in recent legal history. Maddalena Romano explains exactly what this means and answers the question, is this appropriate considering the […]
Celebrity Wills Blog Series (6) – Nostradamus
Perhaps not exactly a celebrity, Michel Nostradamus is perhaps more extensively known throughout the world, than some “so-called” modern day celebrities. His reputation as a seer and author of a collection of prophecies has guaranteed continued interest in his life and work to the present day. Nostradamus was born in 1503 and died on 2 […]
Death Tax for Government: Blatant Revenue Raising
The Supreme Court (Probate Fees) Variation Regulations 2016 came into operation today, 4 February 2016, with effect from 28 February 2016. These fees have significantly increased the government fee payable by those admitting Wills to Probate. The fees are so exorbitant there can be no other way to classify it other than the reintroduction of […]
Waging the Constant Bureaucratic Battle: Fee Reprieve for Family Law Clients
As is always the case, come 1 July of each year, solicitors are provided with notice of changes to fees in all jurisdictions including the family law jurisdiction. As solicitors we brace ourselves for this news. Too frequently there is concern, that the filing fees will become so excessive that our clients will not be […]
Welden & Coluccio Lawyers Welcomes Joanna Diamantopoulos
With more than ten years experience in the field of Family Law, Joanna Diamantopoulos brings a wealth of knowledge to the firm along with a readiness to support and guide new and existing clients as they navigate the tricky terrain that is Family Law. Joanna Diamantopoulos was born in Adelaide and resides in the city’s […]
Celebrating 40 Years: Family Law Act (1975) A Revolution For Families
This week marks 40 year anniversary of the Family Law Act, which saw the shift of its focus on protecting society’s most vulnerable members. It should be noted that Family law is continually undergoing changes and there has been continual changes in the Act – as the diversity of families increase, so does the law […]
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