What if there's no power of attorney?

A tribunal may need to appoint a financial manager or guardian, which is slower and less under your control.

How much does a will cost?

Many firms offer simple wills for a fixed fee. Wills involving trusts, blended families, business interests or overseas assets cost more because they need more planning.

Can I contest a will?

Close family members, and some others who depended on the person who died, can apply for a greater share if they were not adequately provided for. Strict time limits apply, often within months of the death, and they differ between states.

Powers of Attorney & Guardianship lawyers in Australia

What to discuss at the first meeting

Explain which decisions you want someone to make and when. Planning documents and an application relating to an existing decision-making difficulty are different kinds of work.

Ask about the rules in the relevant state and the difference between financial, personal and health-related decisions.

How the engagement may progress

List family members, property, debts, companies, trusts and superannuation. Identify where original documents are held and which assets are jointly owned.
Ask what each document or application would achieve. Confirm which state rules and asset-ownership arrangements need to be considered.
Agree on signing, storage and future reviews, or on the executor’s responsibilities for records and distributions. Identify changes that should prompt further advice.

Fees and the scope of work

Compare a simple-will quote with more involved planning or estate administration. Ask about searches, applications, valuations and coordination with an accountant.

Ask for a written scope identifying the work you are authorising, the person responsible and when costs will be reviewed. If you only want advice on one step, say so before the firm begins wider work.

Dates to raise at first contact

Provide the date of death and any estate correspondence promptly. Ask about relevant deadlines before distributing assets, signing a release or assuming a dispute can wait.

Questions to ask a powers of attorney & guardianship adviser

Which document or process fits the decisions involved?
How will my instructions and preferences be recorded?
Does the scope address assets outside my own name?
Who is the client if relatives attend together?
What information is needed before documents can be finalised?

Powers of Attorney & Guardianship lawyers

Why powers of attorney & guardianship matters

The Australian context

Powers of Attorney & Guardianship lawyers near you

460 powers of attorney & guardianship firms

State Trustees

Rotman & Morris

John Pearce Solicitor & Notary Public Melbourne

CJC Law

DCM Lawyers

DF Legal

Flash Conveyancing

Davis + Haven Legal

QC Law

Madison Sloan Lawyers

Kingdom Lawyers

McHargs Solicitors

FJS Lawyers Adelaide

PB Ritz Lawyers

LS Law & Conveyancing

Kennedy Spanner Lawyers

Natoli Howell

Nash Allen Williams & Wotton

Friedman Lurie Singh & D'Angelo

MMLaw

De Maria & Associates

Anchorage Legal

Warna Legal

ANTHONYS SOLICITORS

A practical guide to powers of attorney & guardianship

What to discuss at the first meeting

How the engagement may progress

Fees and the scope of work

Dates to raise at first contact

Questions to ask a powers of attorney & guardianship adviser

Frequently asked questions

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