A will is a legal document detailing how a person’s property is to be distributed on death. A will also appoints an Executor who will manage your affairs after you die and look after the administration of the terms of the will. You can name more than one executor . A will allows you to direct how your property is distributed; including gifts to family, friends, charities and other persons. With a will you can avoid additional expense, difficulty and delay in relation to winding up your estate.
What happens if I die without a Will? If you die without a will you have died intestate and your property will be distributed according to a legislation, regardless of what your wishes might be. In cases of intestacy the next of kin are required to take the appropriate action for the estate to be administered, which usually is in the form of an application to the Supreme Court for Letters of Administration.
Can I leave my assets to anyone I like? Yes, however be careful. Wills can be challenged if proper provision for your dependents, spouse and children (including ex-nuptial children) is not made.
Can I alter a will? Yes contact us and we will assist you. You should review your will every five years or when your circumstances change in any way, such as marriage, death of a executor or disability.
It is a legal document that appoints a person, the attorney, to make financial and property decisions on behalf of another person, the principal. An ordinary power of attorney ceases to have effect if the principal loses the capability to make financial decisions. An Enduring Power of Attorney gives the attorney the power to act on your behalf even if you become mentally or physically incapable of making financial decisions.
What are the benefits of a Power of Attorney? A power of attorney is particularly useful if you are going overseas or if you require someone to act for you when you cannot as it allows someone you trust to act on your behalf in your absence. You can give a person control of all your business and financial affairs by giving the authority to your attorney to act on your behalf and to do anything that you may lawfully do.
Can I cancel a Power of Attorney? You can cancel your power of attorney as long as you are mentally capable. If you wish to stop a power of attorney you should sign a document called a “Revocation of Power of Attorney”.
It is a legal document that appoint a person, the guardian, to make decisions on your behalf about your personal, health and lifestyle affairs, (not financial or property). It is regulated by The Guardianship Act.
The appointment of the enduring guardian can only be made where you have the capacity to make such a decision. That means you must understand the nature of the document when it is explained to you, and the appointment only becomes operative if you lose the capacity to make such a decision.
An advanced health care directive, is a direction to your medical practitioner on how you wish to have major healthcare decisions made when you lose the capacity to do so.
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