Why the need for a Will?
Everyone should have an effective Will and usually
also an Estate Plan. It is just a smart thing to do.
You should make sure that your spouse, parents and other family
members do the same.
If a person dies not having made a Will, it is said that the
person dies intestate. In those circumstances the property of
the person is distributed in accordance with specific rules
provided for in the Administration Act 1903 (WA). The rules
cover various circumstances depending upon who survives the
person.
If the rules applicable on intestacy are not satisfactory (click here for
an example of the operation of the rules of intestacy), then
you need to have a Will. The intestacy provisions rarely
provide a satisfactory result. There are other reasons for
having a Will as it allows you to appoint an executor, set out your
wishes in relation to such matters as cremation or burial and other
matters. Having a Will makes administration of your estate
easier; there can be other complications with intestacies.
The requirements for your Will will be different during the
different stages of your life. What you require in your 30s
and 40s with perhaps a young family, will differ to what it
required in your 60s and later years. Read about Wills and
Estate Planning through different
phases of life.
For a guide to the material on the website and where to start,
go to - Where
to start?