Make a Will... At Home

Making a Will has never been easier.  The entire process can be completed from the comforts of your own home.  

The pandemic and associated impacts to daily life have revealed just how fragile life can be and how easily we take life, as we know it, for granted. 

However, it is not just a pandemic that brings normal life to a halt.  Every day, many people experience life-changing events.  Some welcomed and many unwelcomed.  Whether it be a devastating medical diagnosis, a relationship breakdown, financial hardship or an unexpected death. Whilst these events do not have a national or global impact, they certainly impact the lives of many people every day. 

We all accept and appreciate that life can change so quickly and without warning, yet we often don’t believe that it will happen to us.  How often do you hear “I never thought this would happen to me”?

So, while there is no doubt that life throws curveballs, there are circumstances whereby you can prepare for those unexpected challenges.  

Ensuring your Estate Planning is up to date is just one way to prepare for the uncertainties of life.  If you were to pass away, would you want to ensure that your loved ones are not faced with a potential difficult, lengthy and costly process to finalise your affairs?  If the answer is yes, then make a Will.  

By making a Will, you have the freedom to decide how your assets are distributed between your loved ones.  It may be as simple as wanting to leave all of your assets to your spouse.  However, you may also want to make other gifts or directions, such as a gift of your jewellery to your children or a cash legacy to your grandchildren.  You may want to make a gift to a charity or provide directions as to how your fur babies will be cared for after your passing.  

Whilst making a Will allows you to decide what happens to all of your assets when you pass away, it also ensures that you make life somewhat easier for your loved ones after you have passed.  This is a time when your family and friends are grieving.  There are uncertainties as to how life will look without you. Leaving a Will can reduce unnecessary problems and stress for those you love during such a difficult time. 

Given the current pandemic in NSW many people are now working from home and generally spending more time at home.  Our movements are restricted and we are missing being able to spend time with our family and friends.  To some extent, life has slowed down again.  

Many people have taken advantage of the requirements to stay at home.  The renovations and odd jobs around the house are finally finished.  The yearly spring clean has been tackled in winter.  

Upon reflection of life’s uncertainties and after finally getting those household chores done, why not consider making a Will? Preparing a Will is a simple process.  The process can be started by giving our Estate Planning department a call to arrange an initial teleconference with one of our experienced solicitors.

Your solicitor will prepare your Will and email a draft copy to you.  When the Will is in final form, your solicitor can email or post the final Will to you.  Your solicitor will then arrange a time to sign your Will with you via electronic means.  Your Will can be signed via Zoom, FaceTime, Skype, Microsoft Teams or by any other digital means.  

Making a Will has never been easier.  The entire process can be completed from the comforts of your own home.  At a time when there are many complications in life, making a Will is not one of those complications.  

And of course, if you would prefer to meet your solicitor in person, that can be arranged in a covid-safe environment.   

If you have read this article and agree that it is now time to ensure your affairs are in order, please give our Estate Planning department a call on 02 4626 5077.