Wills & Estates

When it comes to planning for the future and protecting what matters most, certainty is invaluable. At Chamberlains, our Wills & Estates practice helps you prepare, manage, and resolve estate matters with clarity and care. Whether you’re creating a will, administering an estate, or navigating a dispute, we provide practical, tax‑aware solutions shaped around your goals and family circumstances.

We operate one of Australia’s leading Wills & Estates practices, with nationally recognised experts who work collaboratively with accountants and financial advisers. Our integrated approach means your legal strategy is aligned with your financial objectives, so you can preserve wealth, minimise risk, and pass on your legacy with confidence.

A Client-First, Service-Led Approach

We understand that every client’s situation is different. That’s why our advice is personal, proactive, and tailored to your needs.

• Listening first: We take the time to understand your priorities, family dynamics, and asset profile before we act.
• Plain-English guidance: We explain options clearly and avoid jargon, so you can make informed decisions.
• Holistic solutions: We coordinate with your accountant and financial adviser to ensure your plan is practical and tax‑effective.
• Responsive support: You’ll have clear timelines, regular updates, and a dedicated contact who is easy to reach.
• Outcome-focused: We aim for efficient, cost‑effective results that reduce stress and provide certainty.

How Working with Chamberlains Benefits You

Choosing Chamberlains means partnering with a team that brings depth of expertise and calm, steady guidance.

• Experienced specialists: From complex estates to contested matters, we’ve seen, and solved, most scenarios.
• Risk management: We draft robust documents to reduce disputes and future complications.
• Efficiency and compliance: We streamline processes and manage deadlines to keep matters moving.
• Sensitivity and discretion: We handle family issues carefully and respectfully, prioritising relationships where possible.
• National reach: We advise across jurisdictions and liaise with relevant institutions to make administration smoother.

Estate Planning

Thoughtful estate planning ensures your wishes are carried out, your assets are protected, and your loved ones are looked after. We design strategies that reflect your values and provide certainty for the future.

What we do:

• Tailored wills and testamentary documents: Clear, legally sound instructions that align with your objectives.
• Trusts and asset protection: Strategies to safeguard wealth and support beneficiaries over time.
• Enduring powers & guardianship: Appoint trusted decision‑makers for financial and personal matters if capacity is lost.
• Tax‑aware structuring: Work with advisers to minimise tax, manage superannuation, and plan for business interests.

How we help: We make complex decisions easier with clear explanations, practical recommendations, and documents drafted to a high standard to reduce the risk of disputes.

Probate

Administering an estate involves legal, financial, and practical steps that can be challenging, particularly during a difficult time. We guide executors and beneficiaries from start to finish, keeping the process organised and moving.

What we do:

• Probate & letters of administration: Prepare and lodge applications efficiently and accurately.
• Estate management: Collect assets, settle liabilities, and manage tax and reporting requirements.
• Distribution & finalisation: Ensure the estate is distributed according to the will or relevant laws and keep stakeholders informed.

How we help: We take care of the paperwork, liaise with banks and agencies, resolve issues as they arise, and provide regular updates, reducing stress and delays.

Will Disputes

Disputes about wills and estates can be emotionally and financially taxing. Our team balances sensitivity with firm advocacy to protect your rights and achieve fair outcomes.

What we do:

• Family provision claims: Advise applicants and estate representatives on eligibility, strategy, and settlement.
• Contesting or defending wills: Address validity, capacity, undue influence, and procedural issues.
• Negotiation, mediation, and litigation: Prioritise early resolution; act decisively if court proceedings are necessary.

How we help: We provide clear, strategic advice, assess risks and costs upfront, and aim to resolve matters efficiently, preserving relationships where possible.

Our Broader Wills & Estates Services

Beyond the core areas, we offer comprehensive support across the lifecycle of estate planning and administration:

• Wills, codicils, and updates for life changes
• Testamentary trusts and special disability trusts
• Superannuation death benefit nominations
• Business succession and shareholder arrangements
• International estates and cross‑border considerations
• Dispute resolution and settlements
• Ongoing reviews to keep plans current

Why Choose Chamberlains

We’re with you, guiding you through uncertainty with practical, compassionate advice. Our focus is simple: protect your interests, deliver value, and give you confidence in every decision.

Ready to plan with confidence? Contact us today.

As part of a full-service firm we can also draw on the legal and industry knowledge of our expert Chamberlains colleagues, and we can also assist with:

• Estate Administration & Estate Litigation
• Tax Planning
• Litigation and Risk Management

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