Believe me when I say that I have a love, hate relationship with Will kits. I love them because, no matter how many I see, there are ALWAYS problems with them. Issues arise not necessarily through the blank document (or template) itself, but by the way people complete them (or sometimes don’t complete them). And in my world, problems equal profits. However, at the same time my feelings … [Read more...]
Death & Debt: Who Pays?
Wealth. Perhaps it’s best to enjoy it now; because you certainly won’t be taking it with you to the hereafter. It is a sobering thought, and one made a little less depressing, by the reality that you won’t be able to take your debt with you either. While we don’t physically take our debts with us to the grave, in many situations these debts, contrary to widespread belief, do not necessarily … [Read more...]
Death Tax Implemented in UK Spells Warning for the Future of Probate Fees in South Australia
For a long time now I have been an outspoken critic of the trend for governments to move towards heavy taxes being imposed on Australians for probate services. Last April (2016) I responded to the latest Probate fee increase implemented by the South Australian Government. The fee increase, was, as I went on to explain, “…so exorbitant there can be no other way to classify it other than the … [Read more...]
Can I Gift My Inheritance to Someone Else?
At times, as Estate Specialists, we are asked questions relating to the implications for gifting their inheritance to other family members. One such elderly couple came to us asking if they could gift their share of an inheritance to their daughter. Obviously this couple had no need for the inheritance and wanted to provide the benefit to someone who would genuinely needs it. The amount involved … [Read more...]
Technology, Law and the New Age: Celebrations & Challenges
Robert F Kennedy in his 1966 speech that referenced an ancient Chinese curse said, “We live in interesting times. They are times of danger and uncertainty; but they are also the most creative of any time in the history of mankind.” While Kennedy was speaking to his generation, his words ring true for 2017 and the Technological Age that is currently unfolding. Many of us in the legal … [Read more...]
Celebrity Wills Blog Series: (2) Heath Ledger
Updating your Will can be just as (possibly more) important than ensuring you have one in the first place. Celebrities are not immune from this either, take for example the ‘out of date’ Will of Heath Ledger. Everyone knows they should have a Will. Whether everyone actually has one is a different thing altogether. Whether it be apathy, laziness or fear of death, an alarmingly large number … [Read more...]
Who Will Look After My Children if I Die?
From the moment our children are conceived the worrying starts. Perhaps there is no greater fear than the one of, who will look after my children if I should die unexpectedly and prematurely? When a spouse dies during a marriage or committed relationship, the surviving spouse will ordinarily assume the sole parenting role. While occurring today with less frequency, what happens if the greatest … [Read more...]
There is no such thing as a ‘free’ Will’
While watching the footy one Sunday afternoon, an advertisement for an insurance company came on the television. In addition to selling insurance, the company told viewers that if they signed up within the next month they would receive, free of charge, a Will Kit. I imagine that a lot of people watching the advertisement thought it was a good offer. After all, who can resist a freebie? A Will is … [Read more...]
Digital Assets: Your Online Life After Death
With rapid advancements in technology there is the increased likelihood that you have created a digital presence and online identity. As time goes by many of our ‘possessions’ are becoming digitised, creating a new category of personal property that being the ‘digital asset’. What is a digital asset? A digital asset is anything you may own, or have rights to, that exist either online or on … [Read more...]
Celebrity Wills Blog Series: (1)Robin Williams
Every adult needs a Will. I say and write that repeatedly when speaking with new clients, current clients, friends or the public when presenting seminars or information sessions. So why do we not think that celebrities don’t have a Will? Of course they do. Celebrity Wills range from the complex, think Michael Jackson, to non-existent, Amy Winehouse or, (would you believe it?) Abraham … [Read more...]
