The obligations and responsibilities of an executor of an estate are extensive and if inadvertantly mishandled, there can be severe consequences for the executor. Do you want to put a family member or a friend under that pressure?

  360Private is partnering with Ray White Marion and Brighton to present a Property Investment Seminar on Wednesday 28 August. We invite you to attend and listen to a range of industry professionals who will present the most up to date information on assisting landlords and investors manage their portfolio and also gaining insight into how you can enter the market. Please see the attached flyer with details of this complimentary seminar and ask you to book your ticket now through EventBrite via the link below, or contact Mel Charters for any assistance or queries you may have on 8291 2111. https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/property-investment-seminar-tickets-63616002175

  Why Should I have a Will? Is a Will a must have or just something your advisors keep telling you that you need? Let’s take a closer look.When you pass away you will either have a Will, or not have a Will. If you have a Will then your Estate (a combination of your personal items, bank accounts, property, investments, superannuation, etc.) will be administered according to the terms of your Will and pass to the people you have nominated as beneficiaries. If you pass away without a Will it is said that you have died ‘intestate’ and your Estate will instead be distributed in accordance with the laws of intestacy. Laws of Intestacy Each Australian jurisdiction has legislation that prescribes how a person’s Estate must be distributed if they pass away intestate. This legislation varies significantly between jurisdictions. In South Australia the laws of intestacy provide that: If you have a spouse (this includes wedded spouses as well as domestic partners) and no children then your Estate will pass to your spouse. Sometimes it can be quite complicated for the surviving partner to prove the existence of the domestic relationship, especially in the case of blended families. Ex-spouses are also entitled to benefit in some circumstances, in which case your Estate may be split between spouses! If you have a spouse and children, then your spouse will receive your personal items and the first one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000.00). The remaining assets will be split with half going to your spouse and the other half to your children. This can cause a lot of anguish and even financial hardship for your spouse if, for example, he/she only receives half of the house. The other half of the house will be held by the Public Trustee on behalf of any minor children until they reach the age of eighteen. This means that your spouse may be unable to sell the property without the consent of the Public Trustee.  If you do not have a spouse or children then your parents will receive the full benefit of your Estate. If you do not have any parents living then your siblings and then nieces and nephews will benefit.  A Valid Will  The benefits of having a valid Will are: You are able to ensure that the people you wish to benefit from your Estate do benefit. You are able to gift specific items or cash amounts to different people. You are able to choose who will make arrangements for your Estate after you have passed away and to administer your Estate (this person is called the Executor).  You are able to ensure that your beneficiaries receive their inheritance at an age you think will be appropriate. You may wish to ensure they do not have access to a large sum of money until they are older and more mature.  You may direct that your assets are to be held in a Testamentary Trust for the benefit of one or more beneficiaries and their lineal descendants. Testamentary Trusts are tax effective and give additional protection to your inheritance from your beneficiaries’ spouses, bankruptcy and/or spendthrift habits!  Your Estate will likely incur fewer costs and will be administered more quickly. People often say they do not need a Will because they do not have any assets. Even if this is the case now, a lot can change by the time you pass away. Assets such as life insurance and superannuation benefits may form part of your Estate and can be more significant that you think. If you have a spouse and/or children then passing away without a Will leaves them in a tough spot. They will likely incur significant legal costs, not to mention emotional hardship, in proving their relationship and/or paternity to the court. This sometimes creates disputes with your parents and/or siblings. If you do not want the intestacy laws to apply to you, do not want additional costs to your Estate and wish to provide guidance and support to your next of kin then a Will is a must have! Please contact Mark Lumley at 360Private Legal for personal and professional legal advice.