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.

What does an executor do?

An executor locates the will, applies for probate if needed, gathers the assets, pays debts and taxes, and distributes what is left according to the will. Lawyers can do most of this work for them.

Wills & Estates lawyers in South East Melbourne, VIC

Choosing the right kind of assistance

Planning your affairs, administering an estate and challenging an inheritance are different engagements. Explain your role: will-maker, executor, beneficiary, attorney or concerned relative. Ownership and family relationships help the lawyer identify the necessary work and any conflicts between the people involved.

Working with a firm in South East Melbourne

Dandenong, Frankston, Cranbourne and Moorabbin span a broad search area. A firm’s suburb, meeting options and experience with your matter are more informative than the South East Melbourne label alone.

For wills & estates, ask which parts of the work the firm handles itself and whether it has relevant VIC experience. Let the lawyer know if a property, employer, other party or existing proceeding is outside South East Melbourne. 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

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?

Wills & Estates lawyers in South East Melbourne

Rotman & Morris

Bayside Solicitors Mornington

Allied Lawyers & Conveyancing - Waverley Office

Batten Sacks

Sharma Solicitors and Conveyancers Cranbourne

Kingston Lawyers

First Class Legal

Pentana Stanton Lawyers

A. Shenken & Co

Littlejohn Legal

PRD Compensation

VK Lawyers and Conveyancers

Eminent Lawyers

Maurice Blackburn Lawyers

JK Lawyers

Warna Legal

Willerby's Solicitors & Conveyancers

Kateb Lawyers

De Kretser Law

Seitz & Pepper Family Lawyers Frankston

Spirit Legal

Mepstead Lawyers

Fountain Law

Mackinnon Jacobs Horton & Irving

Why wills & estates matters

The Australian context

A practical guide to wills & estates in South East Melbourne

Choosing the right kind of assistance

Working with a firm in South East Melbourne

How the engagement may progress

Fees and the scope of work

Dates to raise at first contact

Questions to ask a wills & estates adviser

Frequently asked questions

Wills & Estates in other VIC regions

Other lawyers in South East Melbourne