YOUR ESTATE
If you have a Last Will
· You decide the distribution of your estate upon your death.
· Minimise any family disputes.
· Determines the “who, what and when” of your estate.
If you do not have a Last Will
· There is no guarantee that your intended wishes will be carried out.
MINOR CHILDREN
If you have a Last Will
· Make an informed decision about who should take care of your minor children.
· Appoint a guardian of your choice to raise your children
If you do not have a Last Will
· The court appoints a guardian for your minor children at their discretion.
THE MANDATORY COURT PROCESS
If you have a Last Will
· Speeds up the probate process and informs the court about how to divide your estate.
If you do not have a Last Will
· The court decides how to divide your estate without your input, which can cause unnecessary delays
PEACE OF MIND FOR YOUR WHOLE FAMILY
If you have a Last Will
· Minimises the stress and bureaucracy that your loved ones have to manage at a time of grief and sadness.
If you do not have a Last Will
· Loved ones will have to deal with lawyers and potential family disputes at a time of grief and sadness.
MANAGING YOUR AFFAIRS
If you have a Last Will
· You decide to make sure your affairs (including paying off bills, cancelling credit cards, notifying banks etc) will be wound up by a person of competence of your choice.
If you do not have a Last Will
· There is no guarantee that your affairs will be wound up properly
DISTRIBUTING YOUR ESTATE PER YOUR WISHES
If you have a Last Will
· You can disinherit individuals who would otherwise stand to inherit and make sure that your estate is distributed as per your wishes.
If you do not have a Last Will
· Your estate may fall into persons to whom you did not intend to such as an ex-spouse.
HOW MJ LEGAL CAN HELP?
· Working with MJ Legal provides you the ability and authority to change your will at your discretion e.g. upon the changes to your circumstances such as births, deaths and divorces.
· Protecting your new family.
· If you are remarried and have a new family, you can make sure that your new family is provided for.
· To certify identity before distribution, before financial institutions release monies of a deceased person, they need to verify that they are dealing with someone who has the legal authority to deal with the deceased affairs.
· The grant provides that assurance and confirms the validity of a will.
Grants are not always needed. However, you should contact each asset holder and make sure whether a grant is needed or not before releasing monies.
