The Wills and Estate Business Unit of Watkins Tapsell is headed by Partners, Matthew Coates & Peter Rusbourne and the experienced legal assistant Lyn O'Grady.
At Watkins Tapsell we understand that your time and money is important and that is why we keep you informed at all times. We give you advice which ensures the matter is dealt with quickly and in a professional manner saving you any unnecessary costs.
Wills, Powers of Attorney and Enduring Guardianships
Our Team can assist you in drafting the simplest Will, Power of Attorney and Enduring Guardianship or more complex documents depending on your individual requirements.
A will ensures that your assets are dealt with in accordance with your wishes and is to reduce the risk of another person making a claim against your property.
A Power of Attorney ensures that while you are alive your money and property can be managed the way you want it by a trusted friend of relative in situations where you travel a lot or where you may be unable to do yourself due to an illness or accident.
An Enduring Guardianship ensures that while you are alive another person can make decisions regarding your health and where you might live should you be unable to care for yourself.
Together the above documents will give you peace of mind when you need it most. We can advise you on how to avoid disputes over your assets after your death and prepare documents that direct those assets in accordance with your wishes.
Probate and Estates
We can advise you after the loss of a loved one, and can prepare the appropriate documents to finalise your loved one's property and financial affairs. We will prepare the relevant documents to finalise the affairs and where required the document to obtain Probate or Letters of Administration in a speedy and cost efficient manner. We will help you in a professional and caring manner to make difficult times as smooth as possible.
Peter Rusbourne is an accredited Property and Business Law specialist who acts in relation to Wills, Powers of Attorney, Enduring Guardianships and Probate of estates, Peter also heads an experienced team of paralegals who assist in preparing Wills and applications for Probate.
Matthew Coates is a partner of Watkins Tapsell who advises on Will Disputes (including claims under the Family Provisions Act and the Wills Probate and Administration Act), Probate Disputes and Estate Planning.
Will Disputes
The Team can advise you on disputes regarding a person’s estate, beneficiaries rights and executors powers. We can advise you on your rights under the Family Provisions Act or in relation to Intestacy or Incapacity claims. We also act in contested matters, both under the Family Provisions Act and the Wills Probate and Administration Act.
Estate Litigation can be expensive and time consuming and our Team views litigation as a last resort. For this reason, we usually encourage the parties to try and negotiate a settlement, however if that fails we can advise you of the necessary steps to take to resolve the issue, including mediation.
Estate Planning
The Estate Planning Business Unit is headed by Partners Matthew Coates and Peter Rusbourne.
Estate Planning is a complex issue and our Team keeps on top of legislative changes which may affect the way you plan your financial affairs.The Parliament is currently reviewing the Bankruptcy Act and the Family Law Act with a view to making it easier for a bankruptcy trustee to recover assets.The outcome of this review will have an enormous impact on the way you plan your financial future.
Matthew Coates has written several articles on these changes and he keeps the Team abreast of all changes. Matthew has been involved in Estate Planning issues for the majority of his long career and he brings a depth of understanding and commonsense to the team. Matthew is assisted by his partner Peter Rusbourne, who is an accredited specialist in both Business Law and Property Law, and who brings a depth of understanding to this complex area.
The other areas dealt with by our Estate Planning team include:
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managing the distribution of your superannuation on your death |
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dealing with succession issues in your business |
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minimising the risks of a successful claim against your estate |
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balancing the needs of second families against the claims by first family members |
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Structuring your estate to mange the needs of disabled children or children with addictions or children employed in your business |
Watkins Tapsell regularly hold seminars and workshops in Wills, Powers of Attorney and Enduring Guardianships in the Sutherland Shire. To be kept informed of when the next event is taking place or for details of how we can assist you in this complex area call;-
Matthew Coates
Direct Line: 9545 7204
Email: Matthew.Coates@watkinstapsell.com.au
Peter Rusbourne
Direct: 9545 7207
Email: Peter.Rusbourne@watkinstapsell.com.au
Lyn O'Grady
Direct: 9545 7206
Email: Lyn.Ogrady@watkinstapsell.com.au
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