When a person passes away, their remaining estate including any assets such as property, bank accounts, and superannuation has to be divided amongst their beneficiaries.

If a legal Will is in place, an Executor is identified in that Will as the person or persons responsible for ensuring the asset pool is distributed according to the deceased’s wishes.

In some cases, a person appoints a solicitor as their Executor. In other cases, family members or trusted loved ones are appointed and they need the help of a solicitor to administer the estate in accordance with the law and the terms of the Will.

If a person dies without leaving a Will, it is called dying ‘intestate’. Chapter 4 of the Succession Act 2006 prescribes a ‘pecking order’ for those potentially eligible to inherit in that person’s estate. On intestacy a grant of representation, called Letters of Administration, may need to be obtained from the Court before the Estate of the deceased can be dealt with.

At Coleman Greig, we can take the stress out of administering a Will for you. We are able to assist with all of the legal and practical aspects of estate administration including organising probate, taxation obligations, liaising with banks and superannuation funds, locating beneficiaries and any necessary documentation.