How do I check a lawyer is licensed in Western Australia?

Practising certificates in Western Australia are managed by the Legal Practice Board of Western Australia. You can check a solicitor's status on its public register or by contacting it directly.

Wills & Estates lawyers in Mid West & Gascoyne, WA

What to discuss at the first meeting

Decide whether you are making a will, reviewing an old one or seeking advice after a death. The lawyer needs to know who owns the assets and who is intended to benefit before recommending documents.

Ask separately about superannuation, trusts and powers of attorney instead of assuming a simple will covers every asset and decision.

Working with a firm in Mid West & Gascoyne

Geraldton and Carnarvon are the listed centres for Mid West & Gascoyne. Legal questions involving a family business, land or an estate may cross several practice areas, so outline the whole situation when enquiring.

For wills & estates, ask which parts of the work the firm handles itself and whether it has relevant WA experience. Let the lawyer know if a property, employer, other party or existing proceeding is outside Mid West & Gascoyne. Your home address alone does not determine the applicable process.

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 wills & estates adviser

Courts and tribunals in Western Australia

Western Australia is the only state with its own family court: the Family Court of Western Australia hears parenting and property matters for both married and de facto couples. Other matters start in the Magistrates Court, with the District and Supreme Courts for serious cases, and the State Administrative Tribunal for planning, guardianship and many licensing reviews. Lawyers are admitted and regulated by the Legal Practice Board.

Frequently asked questions

Is a DIY will kit valid?

It can be, if properly signed and witnessed, but errors in wording or execution are common and can lead to disputes.

Does super pass under my will?

Not automatically. Super is paid according to the fund's rules and any binding nomination you've made.

Which courts hear cases from Mid West & Gascoyne?

Most matters start in the Magistrates Court. More serious cases go to the District Court or the Supreme Court of Western Australia. Family law matters are heard by the Family Court of Western Australia.

Wills & Estates lawyers in Mid West & Gascoyne

Williams + Hughes: Litigation & Commercial Lawyers Geraldton

Why wills & estates matters

The Australian context

A practical guide to wills & estates in Mid West & Gascoyne