Life's greatest trauma is the death of a loved one.  When you pass away, the last thing you want is for your loved ones to have to deal with messy legal and financial issues at this difficult time.

In our long years of legal practise, we have had to help grieving families through a range of difficult circumstances such as:

• Distribution of estates where assets exist and there are a number of potential beneficiaries; and
• Determining custody of children.

These problems for your loved ones can be easily prevented if you properly prepare for your departure by having an up to date will.

The phrase "up to date" is crucial here.  With each significant change in your life and financial circumstances, you should make sure you update your will to reflect those new circumstances.  For example, if you have just retired, bought or sold a business or bought or sold a home or investment property, this significant change in your financial circumstances should be a trigger for updating your will.  Similarly, changes in your family circumstances such as marriage, divorce, re-marriage (especially if a blended family is involved) and the arrival of children require an updated will.

T A Murphy & Co offers one of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to obtain a will in the Sydney area.  We have put in place a range of procedures that mean you don't even need to leave your home to have us prepare a will for you.

As well as the preparation of wills, we are able to assist families with the full range of legal issues which can arise after a loved ones death, such as:

• Applying for Probate (this is the process of the Supreme Court authorising the executor of a valid will to distribute the estate);
• Assistance with claims against wills & estates
• Deceased estate claims / defending deceased estates
• Estate planning administration
• Letters of Administration (in the event that no will has been left or a will is deemed invalid);
• Supreme Court estate litigation; and
• Assistance with the Family Provision Act 1982 (which allows people who would expect to be beneficiaries of a will but who have not been provided for to claim against the estate).

Please contact us to arrange a consultation with an experienced solicitor.