Estate Planning specialists ready to help you prepare your will from the comfort of your home
Save time, money, and stress for your loved ones with a quality prepared Will from Hunt & Hunt. We prepare your personalized estate plan according to your specific needs and situation, and can come to you in the comfort of your own home.
Get instant access to our free guide for clear information on your rights and responsibilities as an executor.
Your experts in Wills
Preparing a Will and knowing it is properly constructed by our estate planning specialists will give you peace of mind and help ensure your assets are managed exactly as you intend.
Enduring Powers of Attorney
We can provide you with advice and assist you in making an informed decision by guiding you through what you need to consider when making an Enduring Power of Attorney.
Appointment of Medical Treatment Decision Maker
We can assist you in preparing an Appointment of Medical Treatment Decision Maker which appoints a person to make medical treatment decisions on your behalf, in the event you are unable to.
Special Disability & Protecting Trust
These trusts provide for the ongoing care, accommodation and expenses of vulnerable beneficiaries who may have a severe disability or medical condition.
We can assist you to evaluate whether a Special Disability or Protective Trust will be suitable to your circumstances.
Personal Service
Our team of Estate Planning specialists will provide support, advice and experience throughout. We will ensure the process of planning your estate is as seamless as possible creating a tailored solution unique to your needs.
Get instant access to our free guide for clear information on your rights and responsibilities as an executor.
Your Wills & Estates Experts
Meet The Partner and Principal of Wills & Estates
Linda Hart
Partner / Principal, Melbourne
Linda was admitted to practise in 2003 and is highly regarded for her negotiation skills and her ability to communicate effectively with clients. She is an Accredited Specialist in Wills & Estates with the Law Institute of Victoria, and is also a full member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP).
Linda’s emphasis is in estate disputes from advising clients in relation to challenging the validity of a Will, acting on behalf of clients who seek further provision from a deceased’s estate to assisting clients in making applications to recover land transferred by a deceased person during their lifetime. She also has extensive experience advising executors in relation to administering an estate and advising beneficiaries in respect to their entitlements.
Linda is passionate about assisting clients in all aspects of their matter and helping them find a resolution in the most cost effective way.
Education and Accreditation
- Bachelor of Laws
- Bachelor of Arts
- Accredited Specialist Wills & Estates, TEP
Get instant access to our free guide for clear information on your rights and responsibilities as an executor
The risks of writing your own Will
There are people who choose to write their own Wills or purchase a Will kit and they are unaware of the risks involved by not obtaining professional legal advice. It is easy to make mistakes when you prepare your own Will and even the smallest error may result in your Will being invalid or certain gifts failing or being distributed to the wrong person.
The Dangers of Homemade Wills
Whether it’s convenience or costs, people still continue to prepare their own wills. It might be buying a will kit or typing their own will at home, whatever method that is used there are risks in homemade wills.
What happens when a property gifted in a Will is sold prior to death?
Every so often a Will maker leaves a specific gift in their Will and at the time of death it is no longer owned by the Will maker. This specific gift fails for “ademption”.
What happens to my digital assets when I die?
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, many of us have spent a large amount of time at home which meant our online usage increased. Most of us have accounts with Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, we likely have subscriptions to streaming services such as Netflix and Spotify, we are frequently sending emails and buying and selling through PayPal and eBay.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Estate Litigation?
Estate litigation can arise when you are an executor defending a claim made against the estate or if you are challenging a Will for further provision. A common example of this is when relatives or dependents of a deceased person feel that they have not been adequately provided for in the deceased’s Will or perhaps left out completely.
How long does it take for an Estate to be administered?
Generally, it can take around 9 to 12 months for an executor to administer the estate. This process involves the executor obtaining a grant of probate, paying the deceased’s debts and distributing the estate in accordance with the deceased’s will.
What happens after probate is granted in Victoria?
Once probate is granted the Executor of the Estate must:
1) Collect the deceased’s assets
2) Pay any expenses or debts outstanding
3) Pay for the deceased’s funeral and any administration costs
4) Prepare a distribution report of the assets
5) Distribute the assets
Why do you have to wait 6 months after probate?
Under Victorian law, there is a period of 6 months from the date of the grant of probate, in which claims can be made against an estate. If an executor distributes before this date, they can be personally liable if a claim is brought in that period.
How long after probate can funds be distributed in Victoria?
In Victoria, it is prudent that Executors wait 6months from the date of the grant of Probate before distributing to ensure there are no challenges to the Will.
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