How to Update Your Will: Tips from Melbourne’s Top Wills and Probate Lawyers

To make sure that your assets are transferred in accordance with your last intentions, it is essential that you draft and keep up a will. It's not a one-time job, though. Your will may need to be updated when circumstances such as marriage, divorce, having children, or substantial financial changes occur. The best wills and probate attorneys in Melbourne stress the need of updating your will to reflect your current situation and goals. Using the professional guidance of Melbourne's top wills and probate attorneys, here is a tutorial on amending your will.

1. Assess Changes in Your Life

A major change in your circumstances is one of the main reasons to revise your will. These may consist of:

• Marriage or Divorce: Surprisingly, the deadests of the marriage have the effect of revoking a will made before the marriage was entered into, but only if the will was not made in contemplation of the marriage. Likewise, a divorce may also cancel some of the clauses in your will and testament. Due to these changes, the Will and Probate Lawyers Melbourne suggested that one should update his/her will.

• Birth of Children: Changing family status by the birth of a new child or a grandchild may lead to a change of mind on how they would want to part their property out. One has to ensure that they change the will to incorporate new family members in case of any.

• Change in Financial Status: Certain changes in your assets, like a pay raise, winning the lottery, losing a business, getting an inheritance, and others, necessitate a change in your will.

• Health Changes: If you have a change in health that affects your capacity to make decisions or if you have a desire for medical treatments, then you should change your will.

2. Review Beneficiaries and Executors

Who will inherit your assets and who will be in charge of carrying out your wishes should be made crystal clear in your will. Leading wills and probate attorneys in Melbourne suggest routinely going over these factors:

• Beneficiaries: Check on the appropriateness of the people who are named as beneficiaries in ways. Perhaps you would require to include new beneficiaries or exclude those who are already not connected with you.

• Executors: The person to manage your estate should be trustworthy and capable. We need to hire a reliable and competent person. In the event that your executor becomes incapacitated to perform this function or if he/she declines or is unwilling, you should appoint a new executor.

3. Update Asset Details

Your will must specify how your assets will be distributed once you pass away. For this reason, it's crucial to amend your will to reflect any new or altered assets:

• Property: Any change in owning property, whether it is a new purchase or change of using property and disposal of the property, should be accompanied by a change of the will. The Melbourne’s wills and probate lawyers will assist to verify that your real estate is properly recorded.

• Financial Accounts: Changes in your accounts in the banks, investment companies, or retirement funds, or you should reflect in your will.

• Personal Belongings: If you get hold of new assets, such as personal property that has some worth, or if you have a different plan as to what should happen to certain items, then ensure that your last will reflects this change.

4. Consider tax implications.

There may be tax ramifications to updating your will, particularly if you have substantial assets. The best wills and probate attorneys in Melbourne advise speaking with a tax expert to see how modifications to your will may affect the tax obligations of your beneficiaries and estate.

5. Ensure compliance with legal requirements

For a will to be deemed legitimate, it must adhere to certain legal standards. In Melbourne, these prerequisites consist of:

• Written Document: Your will must be in writing. Signed by the testator and the witnesses in the presence of the testator. These types of wills are invalid, and the making of oral wills is not recognised by the law of Victoria.

• Signature: Lastly, you have to add your signature in the will.

• Witnesses: The will has to be signed by at least two persons who are not beneficiaries of your will or spouses of the beneficiaries. Actual witnesses have to be over the age of 18, and if possible, all actual witnesses have to sign in front of you.

If you don't follow these guidelines, your will can be void. Wills and probate lawyers in Melbourne may help make sure your will satisfies all legal requirements.

6. Communicate Your Wishes

A will update gives you the chance to express your desires explicitly. It is best to let your family and the executor know that you have a will and that you have made any major modifications. This can lessen disagreements and uncertainty following your passing.

7. Seek professional advice.

It might be difficult to navigate the complexity involved in amending a will. You may make sure that your will is up-to-date and compliant with the law by speaking with wills and probate lawyers in Melbourne. These professionals can provide sage counsel regarding:

• Drafting amendments: In case you have specific alterations to change to your previous will, a legal attorney can assist you in preparing a codicil or a new will.

• Addressing complex issues: In the case of family complications, significant property, or certain preferences, they can be explained and solved with the help of an experienced specialist.

8. Regular Reviews

Regular updates to your will are advisable. It is imperative that you examine your will on a regular basis, ideally every few years or whenever your circumstances significantly alter. The best wills and probate attorneys in Melbourne advise creating a reminder to examine your will on a regular basis.

Conclusion

To make sure that your intentions are honored and that your estate is handled as you see fit, it is imperative that you update your will. You may ensure that your will accurately reflects your current objectives and conforms with legal requirements by updating asset data, checking beneficiaries and executors, being aware of changes in your life, and getting expert guidance. The best wills and probate attorneys in Melbourne are here to help you through this crucial procedure, giving you and your loved ones peace of mind.