Making or reviewing a will
Setting out current family, asset and responsibility information before discussing formal instructions.
Personal legal services
Put important wishes and responsibilities into order.
A practical route into wills, powers of attorney, estate planning and the administration of an estate after a death.
Where to begin
Begin with the purpose, the people and the documents already in place.
Planning ahead and dealing with an estate are different types of work, but both benefit from an accurate overview. Identify whether you are creating or reviewing instructions for the future, or handling responsibilities after someone has died.
The appointed legal professional must confirm the governing jurisdiction, capacity and identity requirements, and whether tax, property, business or cross-border issues require additional advice.
Common starting points
Reasons people explore this service.
The exact legal route depends on the facts, documents, timing and jurisdiction involved.
Powers of attorney
Exploring how future decisions may be handled and which people may be appropriate for the roles involved.
Administering an estate
Organising the available documents, assets, debts and family information after a death.
Clarify the matter
Planning and administration require different evidence.
For planning work, the conversation usually begins with your current wishes, family context, assets and any existing documents. Estate administration begins with the deceased person's documents, assets, liabilities and the authority available to those dealing with the estate.
Do not treat generic information as a substitute for advice on a specific will, estate or tax position.
What to prepare
Create a reliable overview without sharing more than necessary.
Prepare categories and approximate information for the first discussion. Sensitive documents should only be sent through a route confirmed by the appointed operator.
- Existing wills, powers of attorney or related formal documents
- Key family and dependant information
- A high-level list of property, accounts, investments, debts and business interests
- Relevant dates, locations and any cross-border connection
Questions for the outset
Ask how instructions, identity and documents will be handled.
Confirm the process for taking instructions, checking identity, storing documents and reviewing future changes. For estate work, ask what authority is needed before action can be taken and how responsibilities are divided.
Prepare the first conversation
Bring the issue into focus before advice begins.
Use the enquiry guide to organise the people, dates, documents, deadlines and practical outcome that matter most.